The knight's tale
1a knight there was, and that a worthy man,
that from the time that he first began
to riden out, he loved chivalry,
truth and honour, freedom and courtesy.
5full worthy was he in his lorde's war,
and thereto had he ridden, no man farre,
as well in christendom as in heatheness,
and ever honour'd for his worthiness
at alisandre he was when it was won.
10full often time he had the board begun
above alle nations in prusse.
in lettowe had he reysed and in russe,
no christian man so oft of his degree.
in grenade at the siege eke had he be
15of algesir, and ridden in belmarie.
at leyes was he, and at satalie,
when they were won; and in the greate sea
at many a noble army had he be.
at mortal battles had he been fifteen,
20and foughten for our faith at tramissene.
in listes thries, and aye slain his foe.
this ilke worthy knight had been also
some time with the lord of palatie,
against another heathen in turkie:
25and evermore he had a sovereign price.
and though that he was worthy he was wise,
and of his port as meek as is a maid.
he never yet no villainy ne said
in all his life, unto no manner wight.
30he was a very perfect gentle knight.
but for to telle you of his array,
his horse was good, but yet he was not gay.
of fustian he weared a gipon,
alle besmotter'd with his habergeon,
35for he was late y-come from his voyage,
and wente for to do his pilgrimage.
with him there was his son, a younge squire,
a lover, and a lusty bacheler,
with lockes cruller as they were laid in press.
40of twenty year of age he was i guess.
of his stature he was of even length,
and wonderly deliver, and great of strength.
and he had been some time in chevachie,
in flanders, in artois, and picardie,
45and borne him well, as of so little space,
in hope to standen in his lady's grace.
embroider'd was he, as it were a mead
all full of freshe flowers, white and red.
singing he was, or fluting all the day;
50he was as fresh as is the month of may.
short was his gown, with sleeves long and wide.
well could he sit on horse, and faire ride.
he coulde songes make, and well indite,
joust, and eke dance, and well pourtray and write.
55so hot he loved, that by nightertale
he slept no more than doth the nightingale.
courteous he was, lowly, and serviceable,
and carv'd before his father at the table.

what often caused the knight and his army to fight with other countries?