Knights
The Knight was one of three types of fighting men during the middle ages: Knights, Foot Soldiers, and Archers. The medieval knight was the equivalent of the modern tank. He was covered in multiple layers of armor, and could plow through foot soldiers standing in his way. No single foot soldier or archer could stand up to anyone knight. Knights were also generally the wealthiest of the three types of soldiers. This was for a good reason. It was terribly expensive to be a knight. The war horse alone could cost the equivalent of a small airplane. Armor, shields, and weapons were also very expensive. Becoming a knight was part of the feudal agreement. In return for military service, the knight received a fief. In the late middle ages, many prospective knights began to pay "shield money" to their lord so that they wouldn't have to serve in the king's army. The money was then used to create a professional army that was paid and supported by the king. These knights often fought more for pillaging than for army wages. When they captured a city, they were allowed to ransack it, stealing goods and valuables.
How to Become a Knight
There were only very few ways to become a Knight. You could be a son of a Knight,or you were a member of the aristocracy, the aristocracy were the members of the federal government. At the age of 8 he was sent to a neighboring castle where he was trained as a page. He spent most of his time strengthening his self as well as practicing weaponry such as, the Sword,spear,dagger,and a mace. These were the weapons of a knight. The knight would hardly use a Mace though and would often use a Sword most of the time. The Page would practice against a wooden dummy called a quintain. It was essentially a heavy sack or a dummy in the form of a human. The young page had to hit the quintin's shield in the center. When hit, the whole structure would spin around and around. The page had to then maneuver quickly to dodge the spinning quintain.
The young man was also taught more civilized topics. He was taught how to read and write by his schoolmaster. He could also be taught some Latin and French. The lady of the castle taught the page to sing and dance and how to behave in the king’s court.
At the age of fifteen or sixteen, a boy became a squire in service to a knight. His duties included dressing the knight in the morning, serving all of the knight’s meals, caring for the knight’s horse, and cleaning the knight’s armor and weapons. He followed the knight to tournaments and assisted his lord on the battlefield. A squire also prepared himself by learning how to handle a sword and lance while wearing forty pounds of armor and riding a horse. When he was about twenty, a squire could become a knight after proving himself worthy. A lord would agree to knight him in a dubbing ceremony. The night before the ceremony, the squire would dress in a white tunic and red robes. He would then fast and pray all night for the purification of his soul. The chaplain would bless the future knight's sword and then lay it on the chapel or church's altar. Before dawn, he took a bath to show that he was pure, and he dressed in his best clothes. When dawn came, the priest would hear the young man's confession, a Catholic contrition rite. The squire would then eat breakfast. Soon the dubbing ceremony began. The outdoor ceremony took place in front of family, friends, and nobility. The squire knelt in front of the lord, who tapped the squire lightly on each shoulder with his sword and proclaimed him a knight. This was symbolic of what occurred in earlier times. In the earlier middle ages, the person doing the dubbing would actually hit the squire forcefully, knocking him over. After the dubbing, a great feast followed with music and dancing.
The young man was also taught more civilized topics. He was taught how to read and write by his schoolmaster. He could also be taught some Latin and French. The lady of the castle taught the page to sing and dance and how to behave in the king’s court.
At the age of fifteen or sixteen, a boy became a squire in service to a knight. His duties included dressing the knight in the morning, serving all of the knight’s meals, caring for the knight’s horse, and cleaning the knight’s armor and weapons. He followed the knight to tournaments and assisted his lord on the battlefield. A squire also prepared himself by learning how to handle a sword and lance while wearing forty pounds of armor and riding a horse. When he was about twenty, a squire could become a knight after proving himself worthy. A lord would agree to knight him in a dubbing ceremony. The night before the ceremony, the squire would dress in a white tunic and red robes. He would then fast and pray all night for the purification of his soul. The chaplain would bless the future knight's sword and then lay it on the chapel or church's altar. Before dawn, he took a bath to show that he was pure, and he dressed in his best clothes. When dawn came, the priest would hear the young man's confession, a Catholic contrition rite. The squire would then eat breakfast. Soon the dubbing ceremony began. The outdoor ceremony took place in front of family, friends, and nobility. The squire knelt in front of the lord, who tapped the squire lightly on each shoulder with his sword and proclaimed him a knight. This was symbolic of what occurred in earlier times. In the earlier middle ages, the person doing the dubbing would actually hit the squire forcefully, knocking him over. After the dubbing, a great feast followed with music and dancing.
Chivalry
Knights believed in the code of chivalry. They promised to defend the weak, be courteous to all women, be loyal to their king, and serve God at all times. Knights were expected to be humble before others, especially their superiors. They were also expected to not "talk too much". In other words, they shouldn't boast. The code of chivalry demanded that a knight give mercy to a vanquished enemy. However, the very fact that knights were trained as men of war belied this code. Even though they came from rich families, many knights were not their families' firstborn. They did not receive an inheritance. Thus they were little more than mercenaries. They plundered villages or cities that they captured, often defiling and destroying churches and other property. Also the code of chivalry did not extend to the peasants. The "weak" was widely interpreted as "noble women and children". They were often brutal to common folk.
Armor and Weapons
A knight was armed and armored to the teeth. He had so much armor and weapons that he depended on his squire to keep his armor and weapons clean and in good working condition. Knight’s armor was made by blacksmiths. At first the armor was made of small metal rings called chainmail. A knight wore a linen shirt and a pair of pants as well as heavy woolen pads underneath the metal-ringed tunic. A suit of chainmail could have more than 200,000 rings. However, chain mail was heavy, uncomfortable, and difficult to move in. As time passed, knights covered their bodies with plates of metal. Plate armor was heavy armor made of iron or steel plates hammered together. Plates covered their chests, back, arms, and legs. A bucket like helmet protected the knight’s head and had a hinged metal visor to cover his face. Suits of armor were hot, uncomfortable, and heavy to wear. A suit of armor weighed between forty and sixty pounds. Some knight’s even protected their horses in armor.
A knight also needed a shield to hold in front of himself during battle. Shields were made of either wood or metal. Knights decorated their shields with their family emblem or crest and the family motto.
A knight'’s weapon was his sword, which was about thirty-two pounds. Swords were valuable and would have a gold(occasionally), steel, or iron handle. It was worn on his left side in a case fastened around his waist. A knife was worn on the knight’s right side. Knights used other weapons in combat as well. A lance was a long spear used in jousts. Metal axes, battle hammers, and maces were also used to defeat the enemy.
A knight also needed a shield to hold in front of himself during battle. Shields were made of either wood or metal. Knights decorated their shields with their family emblem or crest and the family motto.
A knight'’s weapon was his sword, which was about thirty-two pounds. Swords were valuable and would have a gold(occasionally), steel, or iron handle. It was worn on his left side in a case fastened around his waist. A knife was worn on the knight’s right side. Knights used other weapons in combat as well. A lance was a long spear used in jousts. Metal axes, battle hammers, and maces were also used to defeat the enemy.
Tournament
Tournament were popular during the Medieval age because, they kept a knight fit and ready for the role they were going to take in Medieval warfare. During the tournament Jousting was the most popular during the sports. Jousting is a martial game or hastilude between two horsemen and using lances, often as part of a tournament. The primary aim is to strike the opponent with the lance while riding towards him at high speed, if possible breaking the lance on the opponent's shield or armor, or unhorsing him. This sport though was dangerous. Even though the contests were played with blunted swords or lances there were still many casualties, as many as 10% were injured, and there were also fatalities. The number of fatalities dropped as the tournaments became better regulated. Medieval physicians were always at hand during the tournaments. In 1292 the "Statute of Arms for Tournaments" was ordained " which provided new laws for tournaments. The Statute of Arms ordained that no pointed weapons should be used - they should be blunted. And that tournaments had to be properly organised and only authorized combatants were allowed to carry arms.
Tournaments during the Middle Ages were a good source of revenue for a successful Knight. The champion knight's prize money could yield a considerable purse. But at the tournaments of the early Middle Ages they were allowed to claim the armor and weapons of a fallen adversary during the tournament.
Tournaments during the Middle Ages were a good source of revenue for a successful Knight. The champion knight's prize money could yield a considerable purse. But at the tournaments of the early Middle Ages they were allowed to claim the armor and weapons of a fallen adversary during the tournament.
Famous Knights
Richard the Lion heart- Lived from 1157-1195 he died close to the age of 38 years old. He was the favored son of Eleanor of Aquitaine and a central figure in the crusades. He was a Lord of many numerous lands such as Normandy in France which is in Europe and eventually became king of England. The military battles in the third crusades are his largest claim to fame yet he never achieved his goal to recapture Jerusalem. He is also well known for some other things including that he was the first king who was also a knight. Richard the Lionheart spent most of his time building castles and fortresses throughout his lands.
William Wallace (Died 1305)-
He is the figure now made famous by the movie Braveheart. He was a Scottish knight and an landowner who was the leading figure in the Scottish wars for Independence. There are three notable occurrences in his life which are remembered. The first of which was that he was eventually captured and executed in a very brutal manner. He is also remembered for his famous victory on the Stirling Bridge At which his forces were vastly outnumbered. And he is also remembered for his loss in the Battle of Falkirk. Charlemagne (742-814)-He was an Emperor and a King who brought most of Western and Central Europe under his reign by a variety of means including military conquest. But he is not famous for just this. He was also an main force called the Carolingian Renaissance which changed much of Europe by bringing in an new monetary system, educational reform and an renaissance of the arts of military arts and the art of siege. He is considered as the father of what now is now Modern Europe.
King Arthur (5th -6th century)
There is a lot of debate to whether King Arthur actually existed. Some evidence say yes. If he truly existed it was believed to be somewhere it he 5th and the 6th century. Some evidence points to him as a soldier while other evidence points to him as a King.The first viable written evidence of his existence showed up in the 9th century in a book called "Historia Brittonum" where he was purported to have won 12 military battles. The legend of King Arthur peaked and waned over the centuries and made another strong appearance in Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur which was first published in 1485. This book has been reprinted many times over the centuries but a strong and lasting fascination with Arthur took hold with another reprinting of Le Morte d'Arthur in 1816. This was part of a very strong Gothic revival. Since then the legend has firmly taken hold and only grown. Whether or not King Arthur really existed is still up for debate but his legend does live on. He is one of the most famous medieval person ever to have lived.
William the Conqueror (1028-1087)
His Normans were the last foreign force to conquer what is now Great Britain. He was King (William I) He began his conquest with the famous battle of Hastings in 1066 and in subsequent battles mostly to repress revolts and uprisings. His reign and influence had much impact on England. He brought about a lot of reform including adoption and English as the official language and adoptions of church reform. He instituted a wide plan for building castles and fortresses all over England to fortify his military strength and to control revolts and rebellions. The most famous of these buildings is the Tower of London.
William Wallace (Died 1305)-
He is the figure now made famous by the movie Braveheart. He was a Scottish knight and an landowner who was the leading figure in the Scottish wars for Independence. There are three notable occurrences in his life which are remembered. The first of which was that he was eventually captured and executed in a very brutal manner. He is also remembered for his famous victory on the Stirling Bridge At which his forces were vastly outnumbered. And he is also remembered for his loss in the Battle of Falkirk. Charlemagne (742-814)-He was an Emperor and a King who brought most of Western and Central Europe under his reign by a variety of means including military conquest. But he is not famous for just this. He was also an main force called the Carolingian Renaissance which changed much of Europe by bringing in an new monetary system, educational reform and an renaissance of the arts of military arts and the art of siege. He is considered as the father of what now is now Modern Europe.
King Arthur (5th -6th century)
There is a lot of debate to whether King Arthur actually existed. Some evidence say yes. If he truly existed it was believed to be somewhere it he 5th and the 6th century. Some evidence points to him as a soldier while other evidence points to him as a King.The first viable written evidence of his existence showed up in the 9th century in a book called "Historia Brittonum" where he was purported to have won 12 military battles. The legend of King Arthur peaked and waned over the centuries and made another strong appearance in Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur which was first published in 1485. This book has been reprinted many times over the centuries but a strong and lasting fascination with Arthur took hold with another reprinting of Le Morte d'Arthur in 1816. This was part of a very strong Gothic revival. Since then the legend has firmly taken hold and only grown. Whether or not King Arthur really existed is still up for debate but his legend does live on. He is one of the most famous medieval person ever to have lived.
William the Conqueror (1028-1087)
His Normans were the last foreign force to conquer what is now Great Britain. He was King (William I) He began his conquest with the famous battle of Hastings in 1066 and in subsequent battles mostly to repress revolts and uprisings. His reign and influence had much impact on England. He brought about a lot of reform including adoption and English as the official language and adoptions of church reform. He instituted a wide plan for building castles and fortresses all over England to fortify his military strength and to control revolts and rebellions. The most famous of these buildings is the Tower of London.
Famous Knights who really didn't Exist!(Fictional Knights)
You have probably heard of most of these knights but you might not know that they aren't real!
Don Quixote -
This is a pretty easy one. He was a character in a pair of books by Cervantes. The books were written in 1605 and 1615. His story is that of a misguided knight who sets off on adventures that go wrong. There is a lot of irony in the stories and in the man. He thinks of himself a gallant and brave knight yet he wears old armor and rides a skinny horse.
One of the most famous things about him is the act of fighting windmills which he believes to be terrible creatures.
Sir Lancelot - It is probably true that of all the knights I have listed here on this page are legends but Sir Lancelot is the most famous. Yet, he didn't exist except as in stories of King Arthur. He is the leading knight of the round table and he personifies bravery and chivalry. Yet he is also famous for his love affair with King Arthur's wife Guinevere.
Guinevere-was the legendary Queen Consort of King Arthur.. In tales and folklore, she was said to have had a love affair with Arthur's chief knight Sir Lancelot. Guinevere and Lancelot betrayal of Arthur was often considered as having led to the downfall of the kingdom
Sir Galahad - He is another knight of Arthur's round table and he is considered to be the most pure - He is renowned for his gallantry and his purity and is often considered to be the embodiment of Jesus. He is one of three who realized the goal of obtaining the Holy Grail.
Fun Facts
The Earl of Sandwich
Earl of Sandwich was born on July 27, 1625 and died in May 28 1672. His real name was Edward Montagu but is known as Earl of Sandwich, because he created the “sandwich”. King Charles also made him a Knight of Garter and appointed him Admiral of the narrow seas. He first created the sandwich because he always enjoyed some meat at night. He was a knight and would always work very hard. The one thing that upset him was that whenever he ate meat it would get his hands greasy and could not play with is deck of cards, so he solved that by putting bread under and over the meat, and thus created the Sandwich.
At the battle of Solebay, his ship was attacked by a group of ships and was destroyed with the loss of many lives, including Earl of Sandwich himself, whose charred body was found washed ashore and only recognizable from the remains of his clothing.
On Wednesday 3 July 1672 he was buried in Westminster Abbey after a state funeral that started with a procession along the River Thames of five decorated barges from Deptford. The body was landed at Westminster and was carried to the Abbey in a grand procession.
At the battle of Solebay, his ship was attacked by a group of ships and was destroyed with the loss of many lives, including Earl of Sandwich himself, whose charred body was found washed ashore and only recognizable from the remains of his clothing.
On Wednesday 3 July 1672 he was buried in Westminster Abbey after a state funeral that started with a procession along the River Thames of five decorated barges from Deptford. The body was landed at Westminster and was carried to the Abbey in a grand procession.
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