How we cite our quotes: Chapter, Paragraph
Quote #1
Two men stretched my master's hand out along the cold iron of the anvil, his fingers splayed out white against the black. I kicked and wrestled, and though I was a mere seventeen to the full strength of these king's men, I was a moneyer's apprentice, a seasoned hammerman. (1.21)
Signs of greatness, right there. Even though he's only a teenager, Edmund can hold his own against the king's henchmen. Years of being locked away in a workshop pounding at metal haven't been for nothing—he's developed some serious strength. Kind of symbolic of his hidden strength, right?
Quote #2
In my ignorance of the ways of God and man I had faith that I could avenge my master's injury. I certainly believed that I could run like this forever, with the Virgin's help. (1.35)
One of the things that sets Edmund apart throughout the story is his naiveté. After he flees Otto's house, he admits that he was a bit idealistic to think that he could avenge his master's death. Looks like someone's starting to learn his own limits.
Quote #3
"I am at your mercy, Lord Sheriff. And at the mercy of our lord king." I don't know how I managed to speak in such a knightly manner at such a moment, and my voice was little more than a whisper. (3.12)
Edmund surprises himself here. He knows his life is hanging on by a thread, but without even thinking it through, he has the presence of mind to put his words together. Even though his voice is almost a whisper, he manages to show the sheriff that he's made of knight material. You go, Edmund.
Quote #4
A trip to the Holy Land to fight for the True Cross absolved a sinner of even the worst crimes in the eyes of Heaven. Still, I was surprised that such a seasoned warrior had not taken many more lives. (4.44)
Here's another example of Edmund's young little mind. He's very gullible, and he assumes that because Sir Nigel is a knight he's killed a lot of people. So when Nigel spills his shabby hit list, Edmund wonders why he hasn't taken more lives. After all, Nigel is a "seasoned warrior."
Quote #5
Each evening Hubert and I would practice sword work, Nigel looking on, calling "Stance, watch your stance!" or "With a will, Edmund!" I learned how to hold my sword in the high ward, over my head, and the low ward, angled down by my knees. Nigel taught me to look at armor with a squires' eye, how to help a knight dismount with a strong and willing shoulder, and how to assist with a war lance, dusting the grip with resin powder. (13.16)
Yes, a lot of growing up is about state of mind, but this servant has to learn to hold a sword if he's going to join the Crusades. After all, this is the story of a soldier in the making. And as Hubert points out, it's not just the fancy footwork—he needs to learn to fight "with a will."
Quote #6
"They are speaking a sort of Venetian, which anyone can understand. Look—they are admiring you, Edmund," said Nigel. "They say you look every inch a fighting man." (14.47)
Edmund is totally fascinated by the spice trade ship they pass on their way to Venice. More importantly, though, he doesn't realize that on his journey through France, he's turned into a strong and dashing squire. Rannulf has to explain to him that the spice traders are looking at him as a soldier, not as a squirrely teen.
Quote #7
He sighed, and after a long moment, he said, "Rannulf told Hubert he has all the sense of a pig's farrow. Rannulf told him that you and the Saracen knight were well met, and that in every way you acted like a man-at-arms." (26.21)
Ah yes, the moment where Edmund really outshines Hubert, his flashy peer. Hubert thinks that being an adult involves killing infidels without discretion, but Edmund has way more sense. Rannulf commends him and says he acted like a true knight when he treated the Saracen soldier with dignity and respect.
Quote #8
"None of this—" Hubert began, and then fell silent.
I waited, feeling incapable of offering him consolation.
"Nothing is what I expected," said Hubert at last. (34.6-8)
Here's a big coming-of-age moment. Hubert admits that the Crusades are nothing like he expected—it's big moment for him to actually admit he's not dealing well with being in a war. This isn't a sign that he's immature or failing to grow up, but instead is a display of some self-awareness.
Quote #9
"I am so ignorant," I offered. So painfully unknowing, so forcibly chaste, I meant. So virginal, despite my longing.
"You are spared sorrow," said Rannulf. "The female soul is dwarfed and hideous, Edmund." (35.21-22)
Sweet, innocent Edmund. Here, Rannulf is giving him a lecture on how women aren't worth the fuss (well, he's actually saying they're evil, but that's a different story). Edmund doesn't have any personal experience to contradict Rannulf's claims, and accepts that he's still very young in the ways of the world.
Quote #10
I was wedged in by a crush of horses and knights, and could not lift my hammer. I felt panic of frustration, and warded off blows with my shield. This sick fear ripened into anger. These strangers were trying to gash and lance my body. (38.1)
Ladies and gentlemen, here is where Edmund ripens into a fighter. In the heat of battle, he finds his strength to defend and kill because he realizes that staying alive is what it's all about. There's no room for fear because the people around him are trying to kill him.