Medieval Knights
By Connor Macy
Medieval Knights 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. Knights used a lot of different weapons to protect their lord. One of these weapons was the throwing axe which was used in early Medieval times and could be thrown about 40 feet. Another weapon was the flail which was used both on foot and horseback. It was a wooden stick with a huge spiked ball connected by a chain. The flail was
…show more content…
Meaning that this is essentially the ‘laws of being a knight’. By breaking the laws of being a knight you hold be dishonored by the Church, the King, and the people. Furthermore you could lose your armor, However, this was only for knights who dishonored the chivalry to the point where the King has to take action. The King is the only one who can order people to steal their armor.
A knight had to maintain his strength when out of war and so tournaments were invented. Tournaments were festival like battles with two main events, jousting and mock battles. Mock battles existed first and were two large teams of knights facing off in a field, forest opening, or town. They used real weapons and armor and injured men were brought to a corner where they were considered out. The out knights would receive medical attention and often amputation. The event was entertaining however the church didn’t like it and later on the weapons were blunted. It was a fight until the last two knights who fought one on one until one yelled mercy and the knight would follow chivalry and spare them(Templeman
All knights were protected by full body armor and a shield and sword. Because of their armour it was easy to identify certain knights from certain places. All knight used many strong large weapons and they also used a shield to guard themselves from other nights trying to hit them. Both of these things were made from steel. One of their biggest advantages were that they rode on horseback.because
To be a knight, his fitness level had to be exceptional enough to last through a long, intense battle. Knights had to face a variety of challenges and were expected to handle them as any knight would. For example, some battles would last long periods of times, so these knights were expected to handle different weather changes, tiredness, and hungriness. The most important qualification that a knight had to have was modeling bravery due to the extreme battles that would be fought. Through these long battles, knights had to stay positive and not give up for what they are fighting for.
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.
Knights used bows and arrows,swords,axes,and maces.I think the difference is significant because it's weird how we couldn't connect with each other and help each other out instead of fighting.Overall Knights used a variety of weapons like bows and arrows,swords,maces and
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.
During the Medieval Era, their was not much to do for entertainment besides watch the tournaments that were held all over Western Civilizations. In modern times, many people know what jousting and sword fighting are but not like the way “A Knights Tale” show them. This movie was made in 2001 and was soon a crowd favorite. The modernization of a dark age era gave the audience entertainment through action, love and comedy. The tournaments were very exciting during this era, specifically the 14th century. This movie had many mixed reviews between historians and regular movie goers. There are a lot of great aspects of this movie but also many critiques historically. The movie is a portrayal of the Medieval games which helps a more modern audience
Each different aspect of the code of chivalry held a separate role in society. Whether it be religious or barbaric, chivalry tended to hold a moral guideline among those who followed it. This moral guideline held them true to their duties to man, God, and women (Sex, Society, and Medieval Women). All of which are reflected in the three themes of Chivalry: Warrior chivalry, religious chivalry, and courtly love chivalry (Sex, Society, and Medieval Women). These three hold their individual roles, all stimulating a different part of the mind and creating a code held by all areas of life in those who hold it. The underlying question posed in this intense pledge is whether those who took the oath lived it out accordingly. To live out Chivalry is
There were many different types, such as jousting, combat on foot, and combat on horseback. They were entertainment for lords and ladies, and good fighting practice for knights. The knight could improve his skills and combat to prepare for the next war. Knights could also prove their abilities against fellow knights and establish their superiority over each other.
In the beginning, knights usually wore armor made of metal chains. Later on, metal armor became more efficient. The armor was used to protect different parts of the body. The first type of armor used by the knights was chain mail and a helmet. It was then useless when the crossbow was invented. Next, came the suit made of metal plates, it covered the whole body from head to toe. The pieces of the armor included the helmet for the head, the cuisse used to cover the thigh, the greave covers ankle to knee, the visor used to let the knight see, and many other
One of the largest changes from the medieval times was the reason for jousting. At one time knights used jousting, sword fighting and other weapon use to protect the church, but it also became a part of a judicial tool. Jousting was used in judicial Duel and trial by combat. In the Knighthood, Chivalry & Tournament Glossary of Terms website they explained,"Judicial Duel was generally fought between combatants of knightly rank between the appellant and the defendant. A charge of dishonorable conduct underlies the combat, fought to the death before judges. Not a tournament, it is a form of trial by combat. Many of the surviving fechtbuchs (rules of sword fighting) seem to describe techniques used in the judicial duel that would have been forbidden in the tournament, such as piercing an opponent's foot with the butt-spike of a poleaxe" (Knighthood).
In the past years, the job of a medieval knight was to fight battles for his lord. They used weapons like daggers, or longswords, and many more. Knights were also referred to as warriors and they are commonly expected to guard a castle. There are a couple of jobs from America today that best relates to the job of a medieval knight. For example, one job that best relates to a medieval knight is a soldier working in the military.
Knights were essential for providing security and a sense of safety during the Middle Ages. Knights took a rigorous training process to learn every aspect of warfare and to acquire skills needed for knighthood. After training was complete, knights would have to abide by the Code of Chivalry, which was studied during their training. An ordinary knight’s life involved forty days of service in wars to their lord, and the activities which occupied a knight’s free time . Although knights were elite warriors and honorable men, as Europe crawled out of the Middle Ages, their services were no longer needed.
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.
The knights were the warriors of the time period in between the fall of Rome and the beginning of the Renaissance, also known as the Middle Ages. Knights had to undergo years of training starting as a young boy. Though they were well trained, knight still needed protection. To protect themselves, knights would wear complex armor that usually took over and hour to put on, and usually needed the help of his squire. In order to fight well, they needed strong weapons. A knight’s weapons were sharp and durable.
In a medieval manor knights would protect the people and manor from any physical harm that could be done to them through outside forces. They would literally