2. The knight was one of three types of fighting
men during the middle ages: Knights, Foot
Soldiers, and Archers. The medieval knight
was the equivalent of the modern tank. He was
covered in multiple layers of armor, and could
plow through foot soldiers standing in his way.
No single foot soldier or archer could stand up
to any one knight.
3. Knights were generally the wealthiest of the three
types of soldiers. This was for a good reason. It was
terribly expensive to be a knight. The war horse alone
could cost the equivalent of a small airplane. Armor,
shields, and weapons were also very expensive.
Becoming a knight was part of the feudal agreement. In
return for military service, the knight received a fief. In
the late middle ages, many prospective knights began
to pay "shield money" to their lord so that they
wouldn't have to serve in the king's army.
Mainly, you had to be the son of a noble to become a
full knight. The other, more common way was to pay
and make a feudal agreement. You trained from the
time you were eight, to your mid-twenties. Then, you
were dubbed a knight.
4. Knights believed in the code of chivalry. They promised to defend
the weak, be courteous to all women, be loyal to their king, and
serve God at all times. Knights were expected to be humble before
others, especially their superiors. They were also expected to not
"talk too much". In other words, they shouldn't boast. The code of
chivalry demanded that a knight give mercy to a vanquished
enemy. However, the very fact that knights were trained as men of
war belied this code.
Knights were supposed to be warriors of God. Most knights did
believe in God, but did not follow the rules of The Bible very well.
Most but not all, used their rank in class and “belief” in religion to
over power lower class citizens and rise in power as well.
The Knights that did truly follow God acted in a different manner
than the others. They had morals, mercy, and compassion for
those lesser than them.
5. Knights used long swords, axes, knives,
shields, chain mail armor, heavy metal armor,
war horses, maces, and basically anything else
at their disposal.
6. Medieval warrior priest and bishops often
accompanied knights and infantry into battle,
particularly during the crusades, and they
personally led medieval armies to protect their
worldly realms. Since it was forbidden to spill
Christian blood, some warrior bishops used
blunt clubbing weapons like the mace to
circumvent this prohibition.
7. As warfare evolved the knights were
encouraged to follow God and defend
themselves in the name of God.
As the crusades came around these men and
knights were convinced to take Jerusalem back
from the Muslims. By doing this the pope
convinced them that they would be absolved of
all sins and earn a place in heaven.
