Medieval+Knighthood

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= = = =__Medieval Knighthood__= Most knights of the middle ages were wealthy landowners or from a noble family. To become a knight, they had to go through many years of strenuous training as a page under an experienced knight. There are two different ways that a boy could become a knight. First he could be born into it, and second he could prove he is a knight by proving himself on the battlefield. -E.I. The Medieval period was dominated by the feudal system and the role of the Medieval knights and their servants. T.T **__Pages__** When a boy destined to become a knight turned the age 6, he was sent off to the nearest castle. There, he becomes a Page to an older, more experienced knight. Every day he helps the knight get dressed, put on his armor, clean his weapons and take care of his horse. Along with all of these things, the young page is taught table manners by the lady of the manor, lessons in arms by the squires, and religious practices by the castle's Chaplain. If, and only if, the page has shown himself to be worthy of knighthood, he will become a Squire at the age of 14. As a page, a boy learned how to fight, how to use weapons, and how to ride a horse into battle. He also learned manners from the nobleman's wife. T.T

**__Squires__** Squires were their lords personal servants. They helped with all the same things that a young page would do, but were given even more responsibility. A squire was allowed to carry a small shield and sword to show what rank he had reached. A squire was expected to be by his knight's side in battle and out of battle. If the knight lost any of his equipment during the battle, then it was the Squire's responsibility to fetch the needed accessories and bring them back to his lord. Before a squire could become a knight, they had to learn how to ride a horse while keeping their weapon arm free and he had to grow accustomed to the heavy armor. All night before the squire is "dubbed," he prays to god without sleeping or eating the whole night. The next morning he would take a bath, a symbol of his pure soul. Once he had done these things he knelt before his lord, usually in front of the inhabitants of the castle, and was slapped with the flat part of the sword. As the lord slapped him, he would say something like, "I dub thee Sir Knight."

__**Knights**__
Once a squire proved himself in battle, and his knight felt he was ready, he could become a knight himself. Squires were knighted in elaborate ceremonies. T.T In the early Middle Ages, this ceremony was simply done with a brief, open-handed blow to the neck followed by an admonition to conduct himself with courage, bravery, skill and loyalty. T.T After the knight is dubbed, he is sent off into the countryside to battle other knights, save damsels in distress, and take part in epic quests to new and far away places. -FY All knights followed the code of chivalry, which was defend the weak, be courteous to women, be loyal to their kings, and serve god at all times. -E.I.



__Armor and Weapons__ The knights armor consisted of so much armor that he couldn't even manage it He had to get his squire to help him out. The knights would wear a plate of about 200,00 rings but as time passed they changed to covering their body in plates of metal. The typical weapons that the knights would use were swords, but they also used battle hammers, metal axes, and maces. The knights also used shields which ere made of wood and metal. -E.I.

= __**Code of Chivalry**__ = The Knight's Code of Chivalry was not an official document but a set of morals that a knight must follow at all times. The Code of Chivalry included such qualities as bravery, courtesy, honor, loyalty, faith, humility, and gallantry toward women. These ideas of how a knight should behave came from oaths knights took and songs including '//Song of Roland'.// The concept of a code of chivalry was strengthened by the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table who had their own code all the knights followed. -J.D.

=__Tournaments and Jousts__= These events were events often held by royalty, where knights could display their strength, courage, and skill. Sometimes knights and even viewers would die in these events. The joust was a competition in which two knights charged each other holding a lance. A lance is a long wooden pole. To win you had to knock the other rider off his mount. If a knight went through three lances because they break easily they could call it a draw or fight on the ground. -J.D.

__Sources__:
Smith, Jake. "The Steps of Knighthood." Kyrene School District - Redirect. Jan. 1997. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. .

http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/knights-code-of-chivalry.htm

"Medieval Knights." //Medieval Life and Times//. Web. 28 Oct. 2011. . http://www.kyrene.org/schools/brisas/sunda/ma/1brian.htm