Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Last of the Barons — Complete
The Last of the Barons — Complete

Chapter XV · Chapter 15

Chapter 15 of The Last of the Barons — Complete is here in full — 234 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Last of the Barons — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.
They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.
And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.
There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.
There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Last of the Barons — Complete

Chapter XV · Chapter 15

Chapter 15 of The Last of the Barons — Complete is here in full — 234 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.
Line 2
They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.
/ðeɪ wɜːr ˈsiːtɪd ɑːn ə ruːd bentʃ ɪn æn ˈæŋɡəl ʌv ðə wɔːl flæŋkt baɪ ə loʊ ˈhevi ˈbæstʃən/
Line 3
And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.
Line 4
There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.
Line 5
There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

adolescence noun US /ˌædəˈlesəns/

the time period between the beginning of puberty and adulthood

From this reading “There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.”

Agincourt noun US /ˈædʒənkɔːrt/

a battle in northern France in which English longbowmen under Henry V decisively defeated a much larger French army in 1415

From this reading “There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.”

apprenticeship noun US /əˈprentəsʃɪp/

the position of apprentice

From this reading “And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.”

bastion noun US /ˈbæstʃən/

a group that defends a principle

From this reading “They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.”

blunted adjective US /ˈblʌntəd/

made dull or blunt

From this reading “There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.”

disuse noun US /dɪˈsjuːs/

the state of something that has been unused and neglected

From this reading “And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.”

sawdust noun US /ˈsɔːdʌst/

fine particles of wood made by sawing wood

From this reading “And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.”

vaulting noun US /ˈvɔːltɪŋ/

(architecture) a vaulted structure

From this reading “There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.”

All words in this reading · 125

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

adolescencenounUS /ˌædəˈlesəns/

the time period between the beginning of puberty and adulthood

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

advancedadjectiveUS /ədˈvænst/

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.

AgincourtnounUS /ˈædʒənkɔːrt/

a battle in northern France in which English longbowmen under Henry V decisively defeated a much larger French army in 1415

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/

the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

AnnenounUS /æn/

Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

apprenticeshipnounUS /əˈprentəsʃɪp/

the position of apprentice

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/

weapons considered collectively

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

BaronsnounUS /ˈbærənz/

plural of “baron” — a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

bastionnounUS /ˈbæstʃən/

a group that defends a principle

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

benchnounUS /bentʃ/

a long seat for more than one person

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

bluntedadjectiveUS /ˈblʌntəd/

made dull or blunt

From this reading There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.

boysnounUS /bɔɪz/

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.

broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

castlenounUS /ˈkæsəl/

a large and stately mansion

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

circlenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəl/

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

commandnounUS /kəˈmænd/

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

conversedverbUS /kənˈvɜːrst/

past form of “converse” — carry on a conversation

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

disusenounUS /dɪˈsjuːs/

the state of something that has been unused and neglected

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.

earlnounUS /ɜːrl/

a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

elsewhereadverbUS /ˈelswer/

in or to another place

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

engagedadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒd/

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

fallingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlɪŋ/

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

fallsnounUS /fɔːlz/

the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

flankedverbUS /flæŋkt/

past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

foughtverbUS /fɔːt/

inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

fourteennounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one

From this reading There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

gallantrynounUS /ˈɡæləntri/

the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

gazenounUS /ɡeɪz/

a long fixed look

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

goodlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡʊdli/

large in amount or extent or degree

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

horsesnounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

Isabel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

kinglily

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

knightnounUS /naɪt/

originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

knightsnounUS /naɪts/

plural of “knight” — originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

lances

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.

LastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

leapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/

a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

limitsnounUS /ˈlɪməts/

plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/

kept in good condition

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

martialadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrʃəl/

(of persons) befitting a warrior

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

meditationsnounUS /ˌmedɪˈteɪʃənz/

plural of “meditation” — continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

modernadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdərn/

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

nearadverbUS /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

numerousadjectiveUS /ˈnuːmərəs/

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

parapetnounUS /ˈperəpet/

a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

preceptornoun

teacher at a university or college (especially at Cambridge or Oxford)

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

ranverbUS /ræn/

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.

rangenounUS /reɪndʒ/

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

ringverbUS /rɪŋ/

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

rodeverbUS /roʊd/

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

rudeadjectiveUS /ruːd/

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

saddleverbUS /ˈsædəl/

put a saddle on

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

sandnounUS /sænd/

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

sawdustnounUS /ˈsɔːdʌst/

fine particles of wood made by sawing wood

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

sicklyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkli/

unhealthy looking

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

sightnounUS /saɪt/

an instance of visual perception

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

sleepnounUS /sliːp/

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.

sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

soughtadjectiveUS /sɔːt/

that is looked for

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

spacenounUS /speɪs/

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

speedverbUS /spiːd/

move hurridly

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

sportsnounUS /spɔːrts/

plural of “sport” — an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

spotnounUS /spɑːt/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/

plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

terracenounUS /ˈterəs/

usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There, boys of fourteen, on their small horses, ran against each other with blunted lances.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

valiantadjUS /ˈvæl.jənt/

Possessing or showing courage or determination; heroic. (Dũng cảm, quả cảm, anh hùng.)

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

vastadjectiveUS /væst/

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

vaultingnounUS /ˈvɔːltɪŋ/

(architecture) a vaulted structure

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

wallnounUS /wɔːl/

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

wanderedverbUS /ˈwɑːndərd/

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading They were seated on a rude bench in an angle of the wall, flanked by a low, heavy bastion.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/

past form of “witness” — be a witness to

From this reading The next morning, at an hour when modern beauty falls into its first sickly sleep, Isabel and Anne conversed on the same terrace, and near the same spot, which had witnessed their father’s meditations the day before.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading There, those of more advanced adolescence, each following the other in a circle, rode at the ring; sometimes (at the word of command from an old knight who had fought at Agincourt, and was the preceptor in these valiant studies) leaping from their horses at full speed, and again vaulting into the saddle.

youthsnounUS /juːðz/

plural of “youth” — a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading And from the parapet their gaze might have wandered over a goodly sight, for on a broad space, covered with sand and sawdust, within the vast limits of the castle range, the numerous knights and youths who sought apprenticeship in arms and gallantry under the earl were engaged in those martial sports which, falling elsewhere in disuse, the Last of the Barons kinglily maintained.

Chapter 15 of The Last of the Barons — Complete by Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron Lytton holds 234 sentences, grouped into 47 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 15 of The Last of the Barons — Complete contain?

Chapter 15 holds 234 sentences of The Last of the Barons — Complete, unabridged, divided into 47 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 15 of The Last of the Barons — Complete by Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron Lytton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 234 sentences, grouped into 47 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 15 of The Last of the Barons — Complete?

Work through the 47 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 47 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 15 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 15 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Last of the Barons — Complete

Common questions about reading The Last of the Barons — Complete by Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron Lytton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Last of the Barons — Complete?

Yes. All 10049 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #7727 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Last of the Barons — Complete is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #7727, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Last of the Barons — Complete take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2010 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Last of the Barons — Complete section by section

How to work through The Last of the Barons — Complete section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 37 chapters of The Last of the Barons — Complete to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Last of the Barons — Complete

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Last of the Barons — Complete, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Wanderers
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Last of the Barons — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Exiles
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Last of the Barons — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chapter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Last of the Barons — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Great
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Last of the Barons — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.