-BACKGROUND
Being a Knight was a great honor, often passed down from father to son. Becoming a Knight was expensive, because a horse and weapons were very costly. For this reason, most Knights often came from a family of nobles. |
-UPBRINGING
A newborn son would bring knowledge of a future Knight to the family. The child would receive toys such as wooden swords and shields. They would also hear stories of honor and triumph of Knights for encouragement. As training, the child would learn loyalty, chivalry, and responsibilities of a Knight. |
-PAGE
A boy trying to be a Knight became a Page at the age of seven. His duties would be in serving his lord. This involved waiting at the lord's table and caring for his clothes. The Pages were also required to act as servants for the ladies of the castle. For training, Pages would be tought religion, manners, riding and hunting. They would also begin training by learning how to use a lance. |
-SQUIRE
Pages would be raised to the status of a Squire at the age of 14. Squires were servants of Knights. They would be tought Chivalry, Heraldry, horsemanship, and training with the weapons of Knights, as well as etiquette, jousting, music, and dancing. Squires would accompany Knights on the battlefield tending to the horses and dressing them in armor. Many Squires were killed by arrows from the enemy. |
-KNIGHT
Squires became Knights at the age of 21. However, some could be dubbed sooner if they showed bravery on the battlefield. The dubbing ceremony of a Knight was completed with the words "Arise, Sir Knight". |