Cuthbert at once saw the advantages which such companionship would bring him, and joyfully accepted the minstrel’s offer, agreeing himself to go as serving man to Blondel.  The latter accompanied him to London.  Here their preparations were soon made, and taking ship in a merchantman bound for the Netherlands, they started without delay upon their adventure.

The minstrels and troubadours were at that time a privileged race in Europe, belonging generally to the south of France, although produced in all lands.  They traveled over Europe singing the lays which they themselves had composed, and were treated with all honor at the castles where they chose to alight.  It would have been considered as foul a deed to use discourtesy to a minstrel as to insult a herald.  Their persons were, indeed, regarded as sacred, and the knights and barons strove to gain their good-will by hospitality and presents, as a large proportion of their ballads related to deeds of war; and while they would write lays in honor of those who courteously entertained them, they did not hesitate to heap obloquy upon those who received them discourteously, holding them up to the gibes and scoffs of their fellows.  In no way, therefore, would success be so likely to attend the mission of those who set out to discover the hiding-place of King Richard as under the guise of a minstrel and his attendant.  No questions would be asked them; they could halt where they would, in castle or town, secure of hospitality and welcome.  Blondel was himself a native of the south of France, singing his songs in the soft language of Languedoc.  Cuthbert’s Norman French would pass muster anywhere as being that of a native of France; and although when dressed as a servitor attention might be attracted by his bearing, his youth might render it probable that he was of noble family, but that he had entered the service of the minstrel in order to qualify himself some day for following that career.  He carried a long staff, a short sword, and at his back the lute or small harp played upon by the troubadour.  Blondel’s attire was rich, and suitable to a person of high rank.

They crossed to the Scheldt, and thence traveled by the right bank of the Rhine as far as Mannheim, sometimes journeying by boat, sometimes on foot.  They were also hospitably entertained, and were considered to more than repay their hosts by the songs which Blondel sang.

At Mannheim they purchased two horses, and then struck east for Vienna.

The journey was not without danger, for a large portion of this part of Europe was under no settled government, each petty baron living in his own castle, and holding but slight allegiance to any feudal lord, making war upon his neighbor on his own account, levying blackmail from travelers, and perpetually at variance with the burghers of the towns.

The hills were covered with immense forests, which stretched for many leagues in all directions, and these were infested by wolves, bears, and robbers.