Medieval Knight Research Paper

The Knights of Europe and the Samurai of Japan shared quite a few similarities; however, they do also share many differences. One such similarity would be that both the Knights and the Samurais were brave, strong, and loyal to their cause, especially due to both of their trainings starting at a very young age. An example of a difference would be the samurais having a much lighter armor than knights. This allowed for a more agile army. They also ascended to their titles at separate ages, with samurais being at a mere 14 years of age, and knights being 21.

The Knight’s striking military career is considered prestigious and esteemed. The Knight has fought in “fifteen mortal battles” (Chaucer 4) all over the world. He fought in Prussia, Lithuania, Granada, North Africa, Anatolia, and Russia. His devotion to his career brings attention to the significance of fighting for the Knight, “it is during his violent interactions with others, that his loyalty to the knightly code should be most apparent” (n.a. par. 2). The Knight’s devotion to his work in the military can be assumed by how Chaucer describes his appearance when he begins his pilgrimage. In contrast to his son, the Squire, who wears fine clothing “embroidered like a meadow bright and full of freshest flowers, red and white” (Chaucer 5), the Knight, Chaucer reveals, is not “gaily dressed” (Chaucer 5) which divulges that

The word knight got this name from the Old English word cniht. The Knight’s duty were very similar to the samurai's. They were hired to protect land and the people that owned the land. They also had a code like the samurai. This code stuck them to their duties and made sure that they kept their morals. Knights controlled land and the land was managed by the peasants of the kingdom. It was the peasants who mostly fought the battles instead of the knights. The knights led the peasants into the battle they fought.

Knights are one of the most mistaken figures of the medieval era due to fairytales and over exaggerated fiction novels. When medieval knights roamed the earth, it was known that they were only human and, like humans, had faults. These knights did not always live up to the standards designated by society. However, in The Canterbury Tales, the knight is revealed as a character that would now be considered a knight in shining armor, a perfect role model in how he acts and what he does. Modern day people see them as chivalrous figures instead of their actual role as mounted cavalry soldiers. As time passes, the idea of what a knight is changes from a simple cavalry soldier to a specific type of behavior.

The military is about courage, honor, and if it comes to it self-sacrifice. A knight needed those attributes as well. General George S. Patton is like the knight he was someone of another class like the knight as being a knight was a class in itself and being a member of the military is like being in another class as you are not a “civilian” anymore. General Patton said something a knight might say as Patton said this in his famous quote “Grant to our armed forces that disciplined valor and mutual confidence which insures success in war. Let me not morn for the men who have died fighting, but rather let me be glad that such heros have lived. If it be my lot to die, let me do so with courage and honor “. (Dunn) General Patton and Chaucer’s Knight have common footing as both care about courage, honor, and valor. The similarities between the Knight and General Patton is what makes it easier for Chaucer to write about him as General Patton could be considered a modern day knight. Chaucer even had some similarities to even Patton himself as both served in a major

At first knights and soldiers in the armies were of little social status. “Many knights in fact possessed little more than peasants” (Spielvogel 244). War was looked as kind of a barbaric act in the beginning and many knights could be found fighting each other. While some of this was tolerated, as they were seen as “defenders of society”, the Catholic Church decided that there should be some ground rules. At the start of the eleventh century, the church urged knights to take an oath to protect churches, and to not harm noncombatants. These rules allowed for battles to follow a civil path and to be carried out in a noble way.

The first reason why knights would have an advantage is from their training. Document C2, adapted by the PBS series “Warrior Challenge” in 2003, supports my claim. It says “A future knight’s training began at the age of four or five with learning how to ride a pony.” This shows that a knight could have an advantage here because they could have more

Did you know that the Samurai practiced self-discipline, self sacrifice, obedience, skill, honor, and bravery. The Samurai were Japanese that lived in Japan and the Knights were European warriors that lived in Europe. They both lived more than a thousand years ago. Critics would say that the Samurai and Knights have more similarities, however they had way more differences. The Samurai and Knights had many differences throughout their lives. Military training was a big difference between both groups of warriors. Another big difference was the warfare they both wore.

Knights were usually vassals who decided to fight for higher lords in exchange for protection. They were considered to be in the nobility class. They were usually just military officers. Knights were noblemen who rode on horseback and they followed the strict military code of chivalry, the code demanded that a knight was to obey his lord, to help people, be brave, show respect to women, and honor the church. Many of the good manners today come from the code of Chivalry.

Knights were mercenaries who were hired by kings or vassals to protect or fight for them. Most often they were depicted using swords and shields however, they used other weapons as well . Knights came from many different cultures however the focus will be on the English knights for the sake of simplicity. King Arthur Likely the most well known knight may not be who he seems.

Many people wonder what purpose knights in the Medieval period had during this famous time in history. Knights were the soldiers in the military and with the military, they helped the economy. Culture played a role in the way that knights fought in the military, as Chivalry was their code of conduct. With the knights helping both the military and the economy, they were able to help keep the political form of government, called feudalism, functioning. By providing protection to the kingdom, knights supported feudalism and kept it alive during the Middle Ages.

Knights extreme power and mastery in battle was largely because they had been taken from their home at a very young age in order for them to train for battle and learn the code of knightly hood (McDonald 32). Because of their training from a young age and crucial role in battle, knights had to be outfitted with highly advanced equipment. To protect themselves, knights armor consisted of a complex combination of leather, chain meal, and iron plating (Alchin). Knights were able to use Medieval tactics of war which were practiced mainly for the invasion of a castle. Armies would either use highly powerful weapons known as siege engines, or use various strategies, such as trapping inhabitants of a castle inside until they starved (33).

As the lead soldiers on the battlefield, they were like very proficient tanks. Hence, the name knight, they would have been your worst nightmare on the battlefield. These men often fought on horseback so they could plow through enemy foot soldiers. Covered from head to toe in armor, knights on horseback protected their lords' land from oncoming invaders. Knights were the wealthiest of men, almost as wealthy as a king was, but not as such, they needed their money to pay for larger land. Hundreds of knight’s set out together for those tournaments but it veered at a costly price their equipment cost more than a small airplane. Knights were loyal, wealthy, well-trained and elite people, who were very

In the 12th to 17th century, a knight was a professional soldier that fought in an army for his or her king. The knight was usually a man but in rare cases there were also female knights. Even though knights are now nearly non-existent, their code of chivalry still influences modern codes of conduct.

The knights of medieval Europe were highly skilled fighting machines, competent in the handling of swords, bows, lances and horse riding. They trained from the young age of 7 and fought in tremendous battles. The knights were the primary fighting force in Europe from 500ce – 1500ce. The image of a gallant knight, riding his mighty war horse into battle, and rescuing beautiful princesses was not exactly true. The knights of old were often barbaric and showed little respect to peasants and anyone who got in their way.