“The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, the Power Behind Five English Thrones” by Thomas Asbridge. This book explores the relationship between chivalry, violence, and social identity in medieval Europe. “Chivalry and Violence in Medieval Europe” by Richard Kaeuper. Christianity, in particular, had a profound influence on the way that knights saw themselves and their place in the world. During this period, religion played a central role in shaping people’s beliefs and values. The relationship between knighthood and identity was also shaped by the wider social and cultural context of medieval Europe. “The knightly class was defined by its members’ possession of a certain combination of land, wealth, and military training, which set them apart from the rest of society.” – Medieval Historian Thomas Asbridge Others, however, remained humble and dedicated to their duty, using their skills and influence to help those in need. Some knights became arrogant and entitled, using their status to bully and intimidate others. Many knights struggled to balance their obligations to their lords and their country with their desire to enjoy the benefits of their social status. The wife or widow of a knight.This sense of duty and honor was often at odds with the privileges and entitlements that came with knighthood. The qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor and gallantry toward women.ĭame: A woman holding a nonhereditary title conferred by a sovereign in recognition of personal merit or service to the country. Squire: A young nobleman attendant upon a knight and ranked next below a knight in feudal hierarchy.Ĭhivalry: The medieval system, principles and customs of knighthood. Page: A boy who acted as a knight’s attendant as the first stage of training for chivalric knighthood. The pictures were to represent the animal as a symbol: Lion, Bear, Boar, Eagle, Horse, Dragon, and Griffin. They were not drawn to look three dimensional, but were shown as if they were flat. The basic rule is “metal on color or color on metal, but not metal on metal or color on color.” This means that the field (the background) on the shield can be either a metal or a color.Īnimals were frequently used as a main charge. Traditional Colors: Black, Royal Purple, Emerald Green, Royal Blue or Sky Blue, Bright Red In a society where few people could read and write, pictures were very important. Coat of Arms The insignia on the Medieval Times knights’ clothing is based on authentic coats of arms from the middle ages.ĭuring The Middle Ages, knights used a coat of arms to identify themselves, which was especially useful in battle. A knight’s code of conduct included: mercy, humility, honor, sacrifice, faithfulness, courage, utmost graciousness and courtesy toward women. (In France, knights are often called chevaliers.) Knights were known for their masterful skills with horses. The word was taken from the French version of the Latin word for horse (cheval). The principles and customs of the medieval knight were categorized as chivalry. The pattern and colors on the flag were often repeated on his shield and on other items belonging to the knight. Full suits of armor made of plate steel came into use around 1400.Įach knight had his own flag or banner that identified him on and off the battlefield, called a coat of arms. Swords, daggers and sometimes lances were the weapons of choice. Knights typically wore better than average clothing, but wore chain mail, helmets and partial suits of armor only in battle. Squires assisted the knight in battle training and exercises, and often became knights themselves. Knights required attendants to handle the knight’s several horses, maintain and hand him his heavy weapons and shield, assist him in mounting and dismounting the horse and guard his prisoners. Since these horses were expensive, only wealthier men could afford to become knights. This radically changed how conflicts were waged at that time. Knights began fighting while riding large and powerful horses called warhorses. Our knights at Medieval Times train tirelessly to get their choreographed fights looking as authentic as the epic battles of the middle ages were. Knights were considered elite soldiers in battles, wars and crusades, but when not in such situations, they usually acted as law enforcement officers of the local lord’s court or that of the queen. Most knights were required to be at least 21 years old. The knight was given a sword, a pay raise and, frequently, a plot of land. Kings or lords would raise a soldier to a knight by lightly striking (dubbing) the knight’s shoulder with the flat of his sword.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |