A Medieval Knight
It could take up to 15 years to become a fully trained knight. Only boys from noble families were allowed to become a knight.They started training at six years of age where they were sent away to a lords castle to become a Page. Pages learnt good manners, how to read and write and were expected to act as servants to the lord and lady. They also learnt basic fighting skills using wooden swords and shields.
At 14 years of age the young boy move on to the next stage of becoming a knight, a Squire. The squire accompanied a fully trained knight. He learned to fight with real wepons and shields and was responsible for the knights horse and armour. After seven years of training with the knight, the squire proved that he was a skilful and brave warrior, the king knighted him. The knighting of the squire took place during a ceremony called an accolade. The squire spent the night before the ceremony in the church praying that he would be a good knight and that he would never fail in his duty to serve his lord or king. On the day of the ceremony he was dressed in white tunic (a sign of purity), a red robe (showing willingness to shed blood), a black jacket (an acceptance that he may die in battle). The squire then knelt before the lord for his dubbing. This involved the lord tapping the knight on the shoulders and head with a sword. The Knight was then presented with their sword. The Knights wore heavy armour for protection. At first the armour was made from chain mail but later they began to wear plate armour as weapons became more deadly. They wore a heavy helmet, metal gloves called gauntlets and greaves on their legs.In between wars Knights took part in tournaments. They participated in mock battles called melees and jousting. Jousting was when two knights on horseback would charge towards each other on either side of a fence ccalled a tilt and try and knock their opponent off their horse by using a lance. The loser would have to give the victor their armour and horse.Knights followed the code of chivalry, which meant they were expected to show good manners and fighting skills. This is where the word "chivalrous"comes from today.
By Evan Maher
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Jousting
Two Knights participating in a Jousting competition using large wooden poles called Lances.
Armour
A Knight wearing Plate Armour. You can see the greaves on their legs and also metal gloves called gauntlets. A mail skirt is worn underneath.Babraces are worn on their upper arms.
Accolade ceremony.
This is an example of an ACCOLADE ceremony where a Knight is being dubbed by the Lord. You can see the Lord placing the sword on the knights shoulders.