Next in order came Pierre, the “Good Knight” of history, who was then thirteen years of age, as lively as a cricket, and who replied with a smiling face, “My lord and father, although my love for you would keep me in your service, yet you have so rooted in my heart the story of noble men of the past, especially of our house, that if it please you, I will follow the profession of arms like you and your ancestors.  It is that which I desire more than anything else in the world, and I trust that by the help of God’s grace I may not dishonour you.”

The third son, Jacques, said that he wished to follow in the steps of his uncle, Monseigneur d’Ainay, the prior of a rich abbey near Lyons.  The youngest boy, Philippe, made the same choice, and said that he would wish to be like his uncle, the Bishop of Grenoble.

After this conversation with his four sons the lord of Bayard, not being able to ride forth himself, sent one of his servants on the morrow to Grenoble, about eighteen miles distant, with a letter to his brother-in-law the Bishop, begging him to come to his Castle of Bayard as he had important things to say to him.  The good Bishop, who was always delighted to give pleasure to any one, readily agreed.  He set off as soon as he had received the letter, and arrived in due time at the castle, where he found Aymon de Bayard seated in his great chair by the fire.  They greeted each other warmly and spent a very pleasant evening together with several other gentlemen of Dauphine, guests of the house.

At the end of dinner, the venerable lord of Bayard thus addressed the company:  “My lord Bishop, and you, my lords, it is time to tell you the reason for which I have called you together.  You see that I am so oppressed with age that it is hardly possible I can live two years.  God has given me four sons, each of whom has told me what he would like to do.  My son Pierre told me that he would follow the calling of arms, and thus gave me singular pleasure.  He greatly resembles my late father, and if he is like him in his deeds he cannot fail to be a great and noble knight.  It is needful for his training that I should place him in the household of some prince or lord where he may learn aright his profession.  I pray you that you will each tell me what great House you advise.”

Then said one of the ancient knights:  “He must be sent to the King of France.”  Another suggested that he would do very well with the Duke of Bourbon; and thus one after another gave his advice.  At last the Bishop of Grenoble spoke:  “My brother, you know that we are in great friendship with the Duke Charles of Savoy, and that he holds us in the number of his faithful vassals.  I think that he would willingly take the boy as one of his pages.  He is at Chambery, which is near here; and if it seems good to you, and to the company, I will take him there to-morrow morning.”