A knight was a mounted
soldier who performed military service for a nobleman. A man was created
a knight by being dubbed (struck on both shoulders with a sword).
This was a ceremony that was usually performed in church. In return
for a grant of land or money, the knight did military service for
his lord on a set number of days.
To go into battle a knight needed a horse, a shield,
a lance, a sword
and a hauberk. The knight also wore a
conical helmet that had a nose guard for
further protection against blows to the face. Norman knights also
used spurs and stirrups. Spurs were
used to drive the horse forward in battle. Stirrups enabled the knight
to keep his legs straight during battle. This held him securely in
place while delivering or receiving blows.
The of knights and military service was established in England by
William the Conqueror. During the reign
of Henry II had 6,000 knights. These
men served in his army without pay, for 40 days a year.
Two
knights in combat (c. 1450)
(1)
Gerald
of Wales, Concerning the Instruction
of a Prince (c. 1190)
The Count of Flanders caused a quintain to be set up in the
market place. This quintain was a strong shield firmly hung to a post.
On it, those who wanted to be knights and strong young men might practice
warlike sports. They rode at it at full gallop, and tried their strength,
either by breaking their lances, or by piercing through the shield.
(2)
In his book, Dialogue Concerning the Exchequer, Richard
FitzNeal described the introduction
of scutage.
(c. 1180)
When the realm is threatened or attacked by enemies, the
king orders that a certain sum, usually one pound, shall be paid by
each knight, and from this source are derived the soldiers' wages.
For King Henry prefers to expose foreign mercenaries rather than his
native knights to the fortunes of war.
(3)
Walter of Guisborough, Chronicle (c. 1310)
Earl Warenne was called before the king's judges. The judges
asked to see his warrant (documents that proved that he owned his
land)... he produced an ancient and rusty sword and said: "Look
at this, my lords, this is my warrant! For my ancestors came with
William and conquered their lands with the sword, and by the sword
I will defend them from anyone intending to seize them. The king did
not conquer and subject the land by himself, but our forebears were
sharers and partners with him."
(4)
Geoffrey
Chaucer, The Knight's Squire
(c. 1395)
With curly
locks, as if they had been
pressed.
He was some twenty
years of age, I guessed.
In stature he was
of a moderate length,
With wonderful agility and strength.
He'd seen some service with the cavalry
In Flanders and Artois and Picardy...
Short was his gown, the sleeves were long
and wide;
He knew the way to sit a horse and ride.
He could make songs and poems and recite,
Knew how to joust and dance, to draw
and write.
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