Knights of the Middle Ages Essay example - 3096 Words

Knights became important in the Middle Ages as warriors recruited by their lords for military service. They were equipped with defensive garment, armor and weapons, and they were trained to fight on horseback since they were children. They also took part in jousts and tournaments in order to exercise their fighting skills and to show their battle skills. Knights were part of the nobility of the Middle Ages. Nobles lived much more comfortably than peasants, but their lives were not glamorous. Some knights inherited or were given castles which had been built for security but not for comfort. It is supposed that some medieval stories are based on the lives of the courageous warriors who lived in those times no matter whether†¦show more content†¦Knights arose to replace the old citizens? armies of Antiquity and they existed between the years A.D. 800 and A.D.1450, when guns and cannons started to substitute for them. In the early Middle Ages, anyone who fought on horseback might be called a knight, however, by the 12th century, no one who was not a nobleman could become one. In some countries, namely France, knighthood became a hereditary class, whereas in England it did not. Knights were professional mounted warriors who served a king or a lord, who in return for service always offered protection, both legally and militarily, and usually granted them land. The lord had considerable control over the knight?s life, career, and future, for instance, he had the final say in whom the knight could marry and the disposition of his estate after his death. Most knights travelled looking for the possibility of participating in social activities or in battles. When not engaged in combat the knight would participate in tournaments to win favours, power, and money. Often, this would also lead to courtships. The prospects of a knight were: marriage to a wealthy heiress, inheritance of lands, and service to a noble as a high official. A noble boy started his way towards knighthood when he was very young, at the age of seven or eight, approximately. At this time he was sent to a Lord?s castle near hisShow MoreRelatedKnights Of The Middle Ages1531 Words   |  7 Pages Knights of The Middle Ages The broad-shouldered and muscular knight stood before his king, ready to take fealty. His sword glistened from being wiped clean of battle. The knight was well-known and honored throughout the kingdom. These males made different vows to protect their country. There were ceremonies for these oaths. They had special clothing for battle and everyday living. Part of this was do to the codes of chivalry. Chivalry has been around for centuries. Knights like those of the middleRead MoreKnights Of The Middle Ages1692 Words   |  7 Pagesconduct and ethics to which all knights were held. These knights were bound by a code of honor. Each knight had to swear that he would defend â€Å"the weak, the poor, widows, orphans, and the oppressed. He was to be courteous, especially to women; brave; loyal to his leaders; and concerned about the welfare of his subordinates, or those of lesser rank and position† (Schlager par. 30). Knights of the Middle Ages were not always considered to be of hi gh social status. Knights emerged in the late 900s as aRead MoreThe Middle Ages : Sir Gawain And The Green Knight1742 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"The Middle Ages designates the time span roughly from the collapse of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance and Reformation† (â€Å"The Middle Ages†). Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written in the thirteenth and fourteenth century, along with Morte D’Arthur. Both medieval epics exemplify bravery and courage as their themes. â€Å"The only universal European institution during the Medieval Era was the Catholic Church which had all the local power within the local bishops† (Sagona). The church saw itselfRead MoreThe Canterbury Tales By Geoffrey Chaucer1073 Words   |  5 PagesGeoffrey Chaucer introduced and described a variety of fictional characters that lived in the Middle Ages. It was the time period that European civilians were governed by a system called feudalism. Where kings were the head of the system and everyone was categorized in social classes. In the prologue of The Canterbury Tales the first character introduced was the knight. Geoffrey Chaucer depicts the knight correctly by characterizing him as a chivalrous and honorable man, which contrasted him fromRead MoreMiddle Ages: The Beginning of a Rebirth in Literature Essay898 Words   |  4 PagesAmong historians the Middle Ages can appear as a minuscule time period compared to the fall of Rome and the Renaissance, which the Middle Ages conjoins. Historically, it may not have a substantial impact, but it was the beginning of a rebirth in literature. When analyzing works of literature from the Middle Ages, in particular Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, politics abundantly influence the social structure, outlook, and actions of characters. The politics in the Middle Ages was known as feudalismRead MoreTypes of People during the Middle Ages1660 Words   |  7 PagesDuring the middle ages there were many different types of people. There were people who were Kings, Knights, and Serfs. Each were treated differently and in a specific way than others. During the Middle Ages they had different positions. They even had a social structure as in who was the highest and lowest. Most people know this by the feudal system. The society was dominated by the feudal system. The feudal system will be a pyramid consisted of different types of people from top to bottom dependingRead MoreThe Periodization of the History of Western Europe1669 Words   |  7 Pagesperiodization of the history of Western Europe during the Middle Ages into three eras: the Early Middle Ages (5th-11th Centuries AD); the High Middle Ages (1000-1300 AD); and the Late Middle Ages (1300-1500). Construction of the great Gothic cathedrals began during the High Mid dle Ages, which was an era that experienced a dramatic re-emergence of urban life and an increasing sophistication in secular culture (Singman xi). Major events in the High Middle Ages include the conquest of England by the NormansRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of Sir Gawain And The Green Knight1200 Words   |  5 Pagesexpressed and implemented through the depiction of the heroes’ experiences on their journeys and the knowledge they gain by the quest’s end. For example, in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a chivalric romance written in the Late Middle Ages, Gawain epitomizes a knight with the characteristics that knights from the Late Middle Ages were expected to possess according to the requirements outlined in the rules of chivalry, such as honor and valor. Likewise, Beowulf, the hero of the folk epic Beowulf, embodiesRead MoreEssay on Knights And Chivalry681 Words   |  3 Pages KNIGHTS AND CHIVALRY Knights were a large part of the Middle Ages. A lot people think that knights are soldiers who were covered in metal, and fought dragons and evil people. Although they were warriors, or soldiers, knights never fought dragons. Knights fought for their king or lord because land was promised to them. To become a knight you had to be born a noble boy and start training at age seven. The boys didnt go to school because he was sent to live with another noble family as a page. ARead MoreEssay on The Medieval knight and Chivalry1383 Words   |  6 Pages The Medieval Knight and Chivalry The Medieval knight followed a strict and detailed Code of Chivalry, which dictated his lifestyles and actions throughout the medieval ages. A man went through a lot to become a knight. The training took years and it was very tedious at times. â€Å"The obligations of knighthood were so heavy that sometimes squires refused knighthood and remained squires all their lives†(Buehr 33). After all the years of training, one day made it all worthwhile. The knighting ceremony