The History of Knights & Warriors

The most significant military figure of the European Middle Ages was the knight. This word was derived from the Old English word cniht, the equivalent of the Latin word caballarius, meaning horseman. A Knight was an ominous sight on the battlefield. Donned clad in chain mail and shining metal armor a knight looked like a presence to be reckoned with. When battles were won by hand-to-hand conflicts, knights were the nobles, an integral part of this feudal system.

Training of a knight started at an early age. Beginning at the tender age of seven, when a boy would be taken from his home and sent to the castle of some famous nobleman, where he would learn everything from etiquette and manners by serving the lord and lady as a page until he was fourteen. He would also receive religious instruction from the chaplain and training in arms from the squires. He was taught how to protect women. Hunting and riding a horse were also part of his training.

At the age of fourteen, he graduated to the rank of squire where he was taught a new series of tasks. Handling a sword and lance and simply learning how to handle the weight of his armor were necessary in becoming a great knight. He now had to accompany his knight to battle where he would assist in helping the knight put on his armor. He polished the knights sword, and stood by to give aid in conflict should the need arise. It was the squire who raised the knight when he fell and who bore his body away if her were wounded or killed in battle.

The Knighting Ceremony came when the boy was twenty one. If he did well as a page and squire, the young man was made a knight. After a purification bath, the knight was expected to knelt or stood all night in prayer in front of an alter which held his armor. There was an accompanying ceremony where the knight had to take certain vows to protect the women and the weak, to right wrongs. This was where he was to receive his armor, sword, and the accolade. It was by the blow upon the shoulder or neck by the officiating lord or knight with the flat of the sword that he would say; I dub thee knight, be brave and loyal.