Golden spurs

Spurs are a symbol of knighthood. A medieval squire would replace his silver spurs with golden ones when he became a knight, symbolizing his new status and resulting in the idiom, “to win one’s spurs.” The material value of the soldier’s equipment thus reflects his personal quality, with both supposed to be earned.

Bertrand du Guesclin's sword

The sword that Eustace gets from du Guesclin is symbolic of his knightly merit and worthiness. Despite this being the same sword that killed Reginald, he associates it for the rest of the novel with his rise to knighthood, rather than with his brother’s death. It is a memento of his encounter with a great man, rather than an enemy. This is typical of the way in which the novel – in keeping with chivalric ideals – emphasizes the glory of war instead of the bloodshed, presenting...