The Knight and the 14th-Century Christian Warrior

Jacob SeeloffJovany Mondragon

Knights are members of the

warrior class of the Middle Ages in

Europe who followed a code called

“chivalry.”In the Hundred

Years’ War, knights were mainly

mounted warriors in heavy cavalry.

KNIGHTS

The first military orders of knighthood were the Knights Hospitalier founded at the First Crusade of 1099, followed

by the Knights Templar in 1119.

When they were founded, these knights would mostly just protect pilgrims, but as the Crusades went on, these orders

became more powerful.

KNIGHTS CONT.

The training for knighthood usually began at a very early age. Normally, the potential knight would be sent to live with a relative or lord who had the resources to train the

young boy in fighting and how to ride a horse.

A knight-in-training would often start off as an assistant for an established knight.

Once his training was completed and he reached 16-20 years old, he would become a full-fledged knight.

LIFE OF A KNIGHT

The sword was a standard and very effective weapon for the knights.

Lances were often used from

horseback. Other weapons used were the axe, mace, and war hammer.

WEAPONS OF A KNIGHT

One of the earliest metallic armor to be worn by knights was chainmail. It consisted of

thousands of interlocking rings woven by hand to form shirts,

coifs, or leggings.

Underneath the metal armor, the knight would wear a

padded garment.

He would also carry a shield and wear a helmet for

protection.

A KNIGHT’S ARMOR

As more advanced weapons and armor

were made, chainmail armor became

ineffective. It was replaced by plate

armor.Plate armor was first used to reinforce vital

areas such as the chest and shoulders

until it was made into a complete suit.

A KNIGHT’S ARMOR CONT.

Military and monastic orders of knighthood were most commonly seen during the Crusades with orders such as

the Knights Hospitalier, the Knights Templar, and the Teutonic Knights.

After the Crusades, the military orders became romanticized. They were replaced by chivalric orders in 14th

and 15th Centuries. The creation of these orders were fashionable for lords and nobles. Edward III of England created the Order of the Garter in 1348, and Louis XI of

France created the Order of Saint Michael in 1469.

TYPES OF KNIGHTHOOD

Knights and the ideals of knighthood were popular in medieval and Renaissance literature, securing a permanent

place in romantic literature.

Notable portrayals of knighthood in literature include:

The Knight’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer.

Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory and many other Athurian tales.

KNIGHTS IN LITERATURE

http://www.heraldica.org/topics/orders/ordhist.htm

http://www.knightsandarmor.com/index.htm

WORKS CITED