Medieval KnightsMedieval Knights

ReviewReviewHow one became a knightHow one became a knight

Page- Age 7. Must be a boy of noble birth.Page- Age 7. Must be a boy of noble birth.Taught chivalry, fencing, archery, and Taught chivalry, fencing, archery, and

completed chores.completed chores.Squire- Age 14. Knights assistant. Care for Squire- Age 14. Knights assistant. Care for

armor and horses. Practice using swords armor and horses. Practice using swords and lances. Follow master into battle.and lances. Follow master into battle.

Knight- Age 21. Ceremony called Knight- Age 21. Ceremony called “dubbing” made a squire into a knight. “dubbing” made a squire into a knight.

What is Chivalry?What is Chivalry?

What are some characteristics?What are some characteristics?

ChivalryChivalry

Respect women, be courageous in battle, Respect women, be courageous in battle, don’t lie, cheat, or steal, never back down don’t lie, cheat, or steal, never back down from a challenge, always help the poor from a challenge, always help the poor and defenseless. and defenseless.

ArmorArmor

Chain mail- Original body armor for knights. Chain mail- Original body armor for knights. Many metal rings linked together.Many metal rings linked together. Covered from head to foot.Covered from head to foot. Protected against lances, arrows, and swords.Protected against lances, arrows, and swords.

Weapons- Swords, crossbows, andWeapons- Swords, crossbows, and Mace- metal ball attached to the end of a clubMace- metal ball attached to the end of a club

Plate armor- Eventually as weapons got stronger Plate armor- Eventually as weapons got stronger knights wore plate armor.knights wore plate armor. Made of metal plates and much heavier than chain Made of metal plates and much heavier than chain

mail.mail. Why could wearing plate armor be a problem?Why could wearing plate armor be a problem?

MaceMace

Chain MailChain Mail

Plate ArmorPlate Armor

Jousts and TournamentsJousts and Tournaments

Knights rode horses into battle.Knights rode horses into battle.Tournaments were the top form of Tournaments were the top form of

entertainment in castle life.entertainment in castle life.Nobles and commoners attended.Nobles and commoners attended.

Anyone could enter a tournament if they Anyone could enter a tournament if they had a horse, sword, armor, and a shield.had a horse, sword, armor, and a shield.

You could win money at a tournament.You could win money at a tournament.

Spectators Watch the GamesSpectators Watch the Games

Tournaments Tournaments

Wooden stands were built to hold nobles Wooden stands were built to hold nobles attending.attending.

Peasants could also attendPeasants could also attendLadies often gave their favorite knight a Ladies often gave their favorite knight a

scarf or glove (something which would scarf or glove (something which would identify him as her chosen knight)identify him as her chosen knight)

Activities at tournaments included Activities at tournaments included kickboxing, other forms of fighting, jousts, kickboxing, other forms of fighting, jousts, and melees. and melees.

JoustsJousts Contest between two knightsContest between two knights Each started on separate sides on horseback. They Each started on separate sides on horseback. They

each had a long lance (a long pole with a sharpened each had a long lance (a long pole with a sharpened end).end).

Your goal was to knock your opponent off his horse.Your goal was to knock your opponent off his horse. If a lance was splintered (broken) the contest was a If a lance was splintered (broken) the contest was a

draw.draw. If a knight fell from his horse the fight could continue on If a knight fell from his horse the fight could continue on

the ground.the ground. A winning knight could demand the losers horse or A winning knight could demand the losers horse or

armor.armor. Many knights died. People in the crowd were also Many knights died. People in the crowd were also

accidentally killed sometimes as well.accidentally killed sometimes as well.

JoustingJousting

MeleeMelee

Two teams of knights.Two teams of knights.Each knight had a colored flag (team Each knight had a colored flag (team

colors) on their back. colors) on their back. Opponents tried to knock the flag off of Opponents tried to knock the flag off of

each others backs with clubs or blunt each others backs with clubs or blunt swords.swords.

The church disapproved of jousts and The church disapproved of jousts and melee’s but never succeeded in stopping melee’s but never succeeded in stopping them.them.

MeleeMelee

What else did knights do?What else did knights do?

Go to mass (church)Go to mass (church)Weapons practiceWeapons practiceDiscuss warfare and strategyDiscuss warfare and strategyAccompany their lord into battle or on Accompany their lord into battle or on

hunting tripshunting tripsMost time was spent training for warfare Most time was spent training for warfare

(had to be ready to protect their lord or (had to be ready to protect their lord or king)king)

What did you learn about Knights?What did you learn about Knights?

What is a Knight?What is a Knight?

What was the Code of Chivalry?What was the Code of Chivalry?

What games did Knights participate in?What games did Knights participate in?Why do you think these games were held?Why do you think these games were held?

What else were Knights expected to do?What else were Knights expected to do?