Medieval Knights

It was the duty of a Medieval Knight to learn how to fight and so serve their liege Lord according to the Code of Chivalry. But this was an extremely violent era in European and English history. Weapon practise included enhancing skills in the two-handed sword, battle axe, mace, dagger and lance. A Knight would be expected to guard a Castle and support his liege lord in Medieval warfare. Details of the life of Medieval knights in a castle, together with castle warfare, are covered in the section about Medieval Castles.

Knighthood & Knights in Medieval Times
To gain Knighthood in Medieval Times was a long and arduous task. Knighthood was not bestowed purely because a young man was the son of a noble. There were many steps to achieving a knighthood, requiring years of training. The steps towards achieving a knighthood started with training as a page and then as a squire, also referred to as esquire. The sons of Nobles, except those who were destined to take Holy Orders, were placed in the service of the great Lords of the land. These sons of the Medieval nobles were sent to live in the castle of their liege lord and commence their education as a Knight and learn the skills required as a Medieval Knight.

Becoming a Knight

Facts on Medieval Knights

Medieval Knights and Feudalism

Medieval Knights Jousting and Tournaments
The Medieval Knights practised their knightly skills at the tournaments of the Medieval era. Various forms of combat were practised at the tournaments including jousting, archery and hand to hand combat using swords and other weapons. This section covers Knights Tournaments and jousting including the history of jousting, jousting terminology and jousting weapons.

Medieval Tournaments

Medieval Knights Jousting

Medieval Jousting Tournaments

Medieval Jousting History

Medieval Jousting Terms

Jousting Lance

Medieval Knights - Knighthood and the Code of Chivalry
The Code of Chivalry dictated that a Knight should be brave and fearless in battle but would also exhibit cultured Knightly qualities showing themselves to be devout, loyal, courteous and generous. Various ceremonies were attended and oaths made before a man could become a knight. The Code of Chivalry was a moral system which went beyond rules of combat and introduced the concept of Chivalrous conduct and courtly love. The Medieval castles served as 'Knight School!' Strict Codes of Conduct dictated the life of a Knight during the Medieval times and the strict etiquette of their everyday life revolved around the Code of Chivalry, courtly manners and courtly love. The qualities expected of a Medieval knight included bravery, courtesy, honor and gallantry toward women from which we get the image of the Knight In Shining Armor. The concept of a Code of Chivalry led to an idealised view of Medieval knights in later times resulted in various legends about a ruler called King Arthur, his kingdom called Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table.

Knighthood Ceremony

Chivalry

Code of Chivalry

Medieval Courtly Love

Knights of the Round Table

The Medieval Knights Armor and Weapons
The Knights role in Medieval Times centred around enhancing their knightly skills in the use of weapons, horsemanship and medieval warfare. The Medieval Knights Armor was extremely expensive to produce. It had to be tailor-made to fit the Knight exactly or the Knight ran the risk of an ill-fitting suit of armor hampering him in battle. A Medieval Knights Armor was a complex series of garments, chain mail and iron plate. The warhorse, often a destrier, was favored by the Knight on a horse. The warhorses also wore armor.

Warhorse

Sword Training

Medieval Knight Armor

Medieval Knight Clothing

Medieval Life and Times Home

Medieval Swords and Armor