Knighthood Britain In Britain, what does it take to become knighted? Who are some and why were they knighted? British knighthood today is closely associated with honorable conduct toward one's own country. The tests and qualifications to become a knight have varied immensely throughout history. In the Middle Ages knights were a product of many years of training in the arts of literature, chivalry, strategy, sword fighting, and other aspects of high society (Scher 1). Nearly the only element of knighthood that has stood the test of time is the fact that it is a desired status for many British men. The original coming of knights to Britain was early in the eleventh century. French soldiers came to England fighting off the backs of their horses and were called knights by the English people (Steele 11). This title had nothing to do with social distinction among men; in fact, nearly any man could become a knight if he had a horse and sword. Over time the importance of these mounted men would greatly increase. At the beginning of the feudal system most lords had knights to fight for them in times of war. At first, the lords would supply horses and armor for these men, but as the cost of these goods rose, the knights would simply receive land (Scher 1). This is the circumstance, the need to purchase their own armor, that made more and more knights to come from wealthy, noble backgrounds and ultimately raise them above common people. At the beginning of the age of chivalry, becoming a knight was as simple as owning a horse and armor and pledging allegiance to a lord or king. It didn't take long for the feudal system to make this a task requiring a half a lifetime of dedication and hard work. In no time, aspiring knights were spending their entire childhood studying and training to become valiant horsemen themselves. Just as a modern boy would ride in a toy car, young children would sit upon a wooden horse and ride it around with his stick lance (Steele 12). Kids who aspired to become knights would begin training at an early age, around five or six years old. Before becoming a knight, two ranks must be achieved, taking over ten years. It became a custom that a boy must be a page first, a servant second, and be knighted last.
In the middle ages, knights were viewed as those who would represent the greatest level of chivalry, considering it was part of their code. King Arthur talked to a peasant in the beginning of the film who expressed her said unhappiness about the government and her views did not align with King Arthur so he disapproved. The peasant described medieval Europe as a horrid place to live. There was also a lack of education among the peasants because in the British empire at that time, there were many small kingdoms owned by lords, under one king. All the peasants really knew was their own kingdom and their king, they were not really educated on the number or where other kingdoms were. During this time period, the peasants were viewed as the bottom of the food chain, and in the feudal system they were actually at the bottom. This meant that they had no real say in the government or how it was ruled, so this interaction did not seem accurate for the time period nor did it cause any impact because those who were high in the feudal system liked the strong divide between classes. The way of life during the middle ages was strongly influenced by past traditions and morals that had been passed down from generation to generation. One of these old traditions included
KNIGHT At age seven a son of a noble family was sent to a nobleman or lord, often who was a relative. Here he was a page and taught how to ride a horse, and his manners. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to a knight. As the squire to the knight he would take care of his horse, help him put the knights armor on and keep it clean. In turn he was taught how to use a bow, carve meat, and other knightly skills. The squire would have to go into battle with the knight to help him when he was wounded or unhorsed. If the squire was successful he would be knighted at the age of 21. When there wasn't a war going on knight would have to practice, practice, and practice some more. They would wrestle, fight with blunt swords, do acrobatics, and also do sports like javelin and putting which is throwing a heavy stone as far as you can.
Knights were an integral part of medieval society. They originally began with primitive warriors such as the Mongols who fought on horseback for added speed and power, but quickly advanced to chivalrous gentleman such as the Normans. Much has been written about medieval knights with the most famous being a series of legends about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Arthur and his knights were the ultimate example of what a perfect knight should have been. They were brave and skilful in battle, but merciful to their enemies once vanquished. They were courteous to ladies, and never ate or drank to excess.
The question is: what were the characteristics of knighthood. The thesis is: knights were part of a warrior culture that was unique in feudal europe. Knights were expected to follow a code of honor called ‘‘chivalry’’. Knights had to be loyal subjects first, competent warriors second and chivalrous third, adhering to a strict code of conduct that governed their lives. Though most were the noble birth, knights did not have to nobles. Training to become a knight was arduous and lengthy, even for most highly born. Knights were employed as soldiers by the european noble. Knights were professional warriors. Knights had military training. Knights fight to protect their land and people. Knights began training as children. Knights had to learn how to ride a pony. At the age of 14 they were eligible to become a squire. Then they were sented to serve as a page to his father’s
people to base there values and way of life on. During the 1400's knighthood was coming
In Medieval Times knights are the protectors. The knights fight for, and obey the king. And for that reason Knight’s are in high rankings in the class system, compared to the peasants and merchants. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, people are going on the pilgrimage to Canterbury for Salvation. The knight is Chaucer’s ideal of a night should be. The knight is a highly principled killer who travels the world and fights for what he believes in with unequivocal bravery and valor.
Knighthood - Although the concept of knighthood existed before the eleventh century, it wasn't until the Norman Conquest, which occurred in 1066, that being a knight become a profession. William the Conqueror organized his cavalry into a group of knights, and as a result a knight's services, majority of which included fighting battles, became an essential part of life in the Middle Ages.
In the Medieval Period, knights dedicated their lives to following the code of chivalry. In Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, a number of characters performed chivalrous acts to achieve the status of an ideal knight. Their characteristics of respect for women and courtesy for all, helpfulness to the weak, honor, and skill in battle made the characters King Arthur, King Pellinore, and Sir Gryfflette examples of a what knights strove to be like in Medieval society. Because of the examples ofchivalry, Le Morte d’Arthur showed what a knight desired to be, so he could improve theworld in which he lived.
A knight would pray before going to sleep and in the morning. Knights would eat breakfast then would train with swords, maces,and greatswords. And they would do this at the quintain and the pell. Then he would learn more about seiges and weapons with discussions of warfare.
My parents decided that I was to become a knight and at the age of 7, I was sent to live with a veteran knight, Sir Darreth Kelley as a page. At that stage, I was like a servant to my master, doing tasks like serving meals and cleaning clothes. I also learned to behave appropriately and to have good manners. I was introduced to fighting and practiced with other pages. We trained using a wooden shield and sword, started learning to ride a horse with no hands, and learned to carry a lance. At the age of 15, I became a squire. My jobs were to take care or Sir Darreth’s horses, clean his armor and various weapons, and to follow him into battle when necessary. I trained with real weapons and was taught fighting styles. I also continued to practice
A knights training started early in his life. At age 7 a boy would be a page. At 14, a page would become a squire, and the training would become tougher. Finally at age 21, a squire would become a knight, and he would serve in the military for 40 more years. This sounds familiar to life now doesn’t it? At 7, a boy/girl would help around the house or at others houses. He/she would be learning about how to complete different tasks in the garden, the kitchen, the garage, etc. At age 14, a boy/girl might acquire a part-time job, or summer work. Train more for the “real world” and gain more knowledge for the future. This is also the age that he/she might learn about sex, drugs, respect, kindness, even love maybe. Finally at age 21, that boy/girl is now a man/woman. Pursuing a career, starting a family, and working hard to provide and protect his/her family.
As time progressed the feudal system was created. It was designed to divide the lands and protect from attack. The king first gave a fief or a piece of land to a royal vassal. As proof for this exchange in land a vassal would swear to the lord to be his man all the days of his life and protect him against "all men who may live or die." Next came investiture. Investiture was a symbolic gesture when a King or a lord presented a royal vassal or a vassal a stick, a small rod, or a clod of earth to show that he has given him a fief. Now this royal vassal was in charge of a huge piece of land. In order to defend it he would then divide his land into smaller pieces. He would take these smaller pieces and give them to warriors or who agreed to be his own vassals. Thus, the royal vassal became a lord to other vassals. The vassals now under this lord would now divide their lands and grant fiefs to warriors of their own. Last in the dividing of land was the knight whose parcel of land was too small to be divided.
“He was a knight indeed, a worthy man, who from the very moment he first began to ride, searching adventure, held chivalry in his heart, and honor and truth, and courtesy and grace”. This excerpt from The Canterbury Tales perfectly exemplifies what are the makings of a knight. A knight is a man who is chivalrous, honorable, and trustworthy. A knight is always guided by God and has a keen sense of justice.
The children that were sons of knights were born noble and had the chance to become a knight if they choose to do so.(the late middle ages) If they choose to become a knight their training began early at around age 8. As they started to learn some fighting skills to establish a
Let me tell you a tale of a noble knight named Sir Robin. The story begins long ago in medieval times, around the year 1300 AD in the quaint village of York, England. Our tale is centered around one noble boy, the young Robin son of the Lord and Lady of York. Ever since Robin was a lad, he was fascinated by the noble knights in his village. He had always dreamed of becoming just like them, and with approval from his parents, Robin was allowed to shadow the knights. At age 16, Robin would go out on patrol with the knights every morning and would not return until dusk. Robin’s hard work and dedication payed off when he was finally knighted at age 18, the youngest ever in York. His whole family was so proud, even his two younger sisters, Eleanor