Medieval Knights
Knights. These ironclad men of honor were the defining feature of the Middle Ages, becoming heroes and villains in post-medieval literature alike. Stories like The Once and Future King, a King Arthur story, are widely popular today for one reason: not because they are great sources of fantasy, but because they contain knights. Sir Lancelot, Sir Grummore, and Sir Gawaine are all great examples of heroic knights. However, the lives of knights are mostly unknown to the people of today. In the following 3 paragraphs, this report uncovers the truth behind becoming a knight, as well as the complex knighting ceremony, and later the daily life of these mounted warriors.
Firstly, to become a knight one had to fall under a certain criteria. To start …show more content…
Every day, in times of peace, the knight would wake up at dawn and attend morning prayer, followed by breakfast and mid morning activities. These activities included discussing siege warfare and the happenings in the kingdom, along with honing his skills with the sword and shield. Next came noon prayers and a meal, which were quickly followed by some lessons on etiquette or dance practice. Because culture was changing and becoming more refined and elegant, knights were now expected to understand the rules of chivalry and courtly love, which included such activities as dance and etiquette. Following these lessons were afternoon activities. These activities consisted mostly of hunting or hawking with other knights or the lord, and horsemanship, which included riding technique and jousting. Jousting played a large role in the knight's life, as tournaments were frequent during the Middle Ages. Afternoon activities were then succeeded by evening prayers and supper, which was complimented by entertainment such as jugglers or a jester until the knight went off to bed. A knight's daily life followed this skeletal structure almost to a t, only differing on tournament days or in times of war.
In conclusion, becoming a knight was a long and arduous process that was not open to all people. A boy had to fall under certain criteria and go through fourteen years of training to finally become a knight. A knighting ceremony also ensured that an aspiring knight had the patience and devotion to start his new life as a knight. This life was routine and only changed on tournament days or in times of war. Throughout the Middle Ages, knights were heroes, both hard to become and hard to be. However, they were still defining features of the medieval era and are still remembered
Firstly, to become a knight one had to fall under a certain criteria. To start …show more content…
Every day, in times of peace, the knight would wake up at dawn and attend morning prayer, followed by breakfast and mid morning activities. These activities included discussing siege warfare and the happenings in the kingdom, along with honing his skills with the sword and shield. Next came noon prayers and a meal, which were quickly followed by some lessons on etiquette or dance practice. Because culture was changing and becoming more refined and elegant, knights were now expected to understand the rules of chivalry and courtly love, which included such activities as dance and etiquette. Following these lessons were afternoon activities. These activities consisted mostly of hunting or hawking with other knights or the lord, and horsemanship, which included riding technique and jousting. Jousting played a large role in the knight's life, as tournaments were frequent during the Middle Ages. Afternoon activities were then succeeded by evening prayers and supper, which was complimented by entertainment such as jugglers or a jester until the knight went off to bed. A knight's daily life followed this skeletal structure almost to a t, only differing on tournament days or in times of war.
In conclusion, becoming a knight was a long and arduous process that was not open to all people. A boy had to fall under certain criteria and go through fourteen years of training to finally become a knight. A knighting ceremony also ensured that an aspiring knight had the patience and devotion to start his new life as a knight. This life was routine and only changed on tournament days or in times of war. Throughout the Middle Ages, knights were heroes, both hard to become and hard to be. However, they were still defining features of the medieval era and are still remembered