A knight is a mounted warrior, a professional fighter, often of noble birth.
Knights must own weapons and horses and train for combat.
Formation of a Knight
Knights are recruited from young nobles, starting apprenticeship at an early age.
Apprenticeship Stages:
7 years old: Becomes a rascal, takes care of horses, cleans stables.
Page: Learns combat with wooden weapons, serves his master, and may learn to read and write.
14 years old: Becomes a squire, carries the knight's shield, helps with armor, practices fighting with spear and sword, and accompanies the knight in tournaments and battles.
21 years old: If deemed brave and financially able, the squire can become a knight during the dubbing ceremony.
Dubbing Ceremony
Official ritual marking a squire's elevation to knighthood.
Process:
Purification Ritual:
Dress in white, take a bath, fast, and pray in a chapel.
Oath: Knight takes an oath on the gospels.
Receives sword and golden spurs.
Godfather taps shoulders with sword (colée).
Upon dubbing, the knight becomes a vassal of a lord.
Knight's Oath
Commits to:
Defending the weak, orphans, and widows.
Living in purity.
Rendering justice.
Protecting the church.
Serving his lord and king.
Spirit of Chivalry
Established by the church in the 11th century to reduce violence.
Introduced rules like the truce of God (prohibiting war at certain times).
Knights must protect the weak, maintain order, and avoid harming non-combatants.
Characteristics of chivalry: morality and ideals of life.
Knight's Qualities
Loyalty
Honor
Courage
Generosity
Knight's Armament
Armament is costly; knights must have financial means for horse and weapons.
Key Equipment:
Steed: Strong war horse capable of carrying over 100 kg (knight in armor).
Weapons:
Spear
Long sword (noble weapon).
Armor:
Hauberk (metal mesh tunic).
Helmet and shield.
Historical Armor Development
Early Armor:
Hauberk: Coat of mail protecting body and head.
Spear: 3 meters long in the 10th century for charging enemies.
Gambeson: Thick linen dress softening blows.
Leggings: Metal mesh for protection.
15th Century Armor:
Rich knights began using metal plate armor (avg. 25 kg).
Equipment included:
Helm
Shield (bears knight's coat of arms).
Gauntlet (hand protection).
Sword (weighs about 2 pounds).
Other Weapons of the Knight
Battle Axe: Powerful weapon for close combat.
Mace: Handle with a pointy head, effective in knocking out opponents.
Flail: Wooden handle with a chain and iron mass, destructive against hauberks.
Knight's Lifestyle
Knights do not work or pay taxes.
In times of peace, they engage in tournaments and hunts for training and amusement.