It wasn’t until later in the medieval period when knighthood became more of a social rank providing a distinction between non-noble cavalrymen (milites gregarii) and the true knights (milites nobiles) In the later medieval period, knighthood was commonly associated with a code of conduct and chivalry. In the 11th century however they would come up against the formidable Norman knights and their leader the Duke of Normandy. The Anglo-Saxons had many stuggles with invaders such as the Vikings who they managed to contain for many centuries. In time these tribes of Angles, Saxons and Jutes would join forces to dominate England, they became collectively known as the Anglo Saxons. 476 there was a power vacuum in Europe which resulted in more of these Germanic tribes migrating and settling in England. However this type of chivalrous knight donned in a suit of shinning armour did not come into play until around the 14th century, during the earlier periods of medieval times knights commonly wore chainmail and a simple conical helmet of spangenhelm construction.įor centuries Germanic warriors had been mercenaries in the Roman armies that had conquered England, many settled and mixed with the local populations.Īfter the fall of Rome around c. Heavily armed cavalry soldiers have existed since ancient times, however none have captured the imagination as much as the gallant medieval knight in shining armour of the medieval period, the knight gained in popularity and became much more established and defined during the high and late medieval times. The Squire would recieve his Sword and Spurs and was now classed as a Knight who was ready to serve his Lord in battle. If a squire was worthy of becoming a knight and had passed all the tests that were given to him during his many years of training, he would be knighted in an elaborate dubbing ceremony, a squire would commonly kneel before the lord of the manor who would tap the squires shoulders with a sword as he was proclaimed a knight. Participation in Behourds (Spontaneous Mock Fights or Battles) Swordsmanship Practice *Using Smaller Buckler Shield One – One Sparring *Wooden Swords *Blunted Walebone Weapons Mounted Training on the Quintain *Lance and Other Weapons Ground Training Practice on the Pell *Sword and Other Weapons Weapons Training *Sword *Lance *Maces *Pole Axes.Grappling *Wrestling *Strength & Balance.Training was stepped up a level *The Squire now served an established knight and learned his trade directly from him. The Legendary knight William Marshall for example was 12 years of age when he was sent to be trained by a knight for 8 years until around the age of 20 years when he was knighted. Page Boy – Typical Jobs in the Lords Castle or Manor HouseĪt the end of this training a Page Boy would become a Squire around the age of 14 on his journey to becoming a knight.Ī succesful page boy would become a Squire, historians also provide evidence that it was also common for knights to start as a Squire without becoming a page. The page boy usually became a Squire himself at the age of 14 *he was a page for around 7 years What did a Page Boy Learn About? In medieval Europe a page or page boy was classed a being a young nobleman who left home at a very young age (around 7 years) to learn how to become a knight (assisting a Squire) in another royal or noble household.Ĭommonly a page boy would be under the wing of a Squire who was himself being trained by an established Knight. It was possible for lower level members of society to become knights but it was very difficult and uncommon. It also took a great deal of training to become a knight and only the wealthiest members of medieval society were afforded this luxury.Īlthough non nobles could achieve knighthood it was a rare occurence. Becoming a knight required great wealth to buy the expensive armour and weaponry.
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