In this paper I will discuss the origins, importance, and decline of knighthood. The Knights of old were an extremely well respected class of medieval society. They were looked up to by serfs and peasants, and respected by nobles, because of their sense of honor and duty. They were the warriors of the Church, and they fought to uphold the law. Knights defended God, the Church, and the young, old, and infirm. They fought to defend the honor of their people and their Lord. Knights fought wars and defended the honor of the people and their lord. Knights went through rigorous training starting young ages often training into adulthood. They were bound by a strict code of honor known as chivalry. Eventually rather then hail to a lord knights formed their own orders. Shortly after knighthood declined.
The word knight comes from the old English word cnight who's meaning was a household retainer. The people of England used this word to describe French cavalry who first came to England after the Norman conquests of 1066. Knights of this time were only soldiers trained to fight on horseback. At this time they held no social distinction and anyone wishing to could become a knight. Often during peace a knight would perform household duties for his lord.
Between the 10th and 12th centuries AD became independent and many of them became landowners. Because the expense of armor and horses increased only wealthy men were able to equip themselves as knights. Because of this knights became a class divided from the rest. As a result the opportunity to become a knight became a distinction and a mark of honor. Anyone could become a knight but in most cases only the sons of nobles or knights were made knights. .
In medieval times a boy who was training to be a knight spent the first years of his life mainly in the care of females of his family. During these early years he was taught how to ride a pony and how to care for horses.
Knighthood was a trend that began during the 11th century as a professional association. It included only those who could afford to make and maintain the heavy capital investment required by mounted warfare - that is horse and armor fighting. Knights usually came from the nobles - the great land-o...
In Europe, things were organised supremely, the monarchy and knighthood saw to that. ... In Japan, things were also like this, but the Japanese had the Samurai, a class similar to the European knighthood, and one I find interesting to this day... ...
To understand such romance, one must know the definition of chivalry and knighthood. ... "Knighthood comes from the English word knight, which means household retainer." ... In the 12th century, chivalric codes were added to knighthood. ... Chivalry added discipline to knighthood. ... The decline of knighthood was from the 13th century on. ...
Malory set them as the ones who align paths for men to reach their knighthood, becoming end goals themselves and even objects within a system to be feared. ... Furthermore, this so called "power" ignites the flame of knighthood, because only through accomplishing quests set by these damsels would prove these men worthy of the title of a true knight. ... Women are seen to be the gatekeepers of knighthood, end goals themselves, and objects within a system to be feared. ...
Chivalry can be defined as the medieval system, principles, and customs of knighthood, the qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women. The act of placing a jacket over a puddle, pulling out a chair for a lady or opening a door, these are just a ...
The Knights of the Round Table were noble in their actions. Sir Launcelot is a prime example of nobility of the Round Table. Throughout his life, Launcelot has been unselfish, caring, and faithful to the knighthood. Launcelot was the greatest mounted warrior and was respected by all. The Knight...
It denotes a man of aristocratic standing and probably of noble ancestry, who is capable, if called upon, of equipping himself with a war horse and the arms of a heavy cavalryman, and who has been through certain rituals that make him what he is - who has been "dubbed'' to knighthood. ... Chretien de Troyes' primary focus on chivalry as a central tenet of knighthood addresses, but does not definitively explain, what the knight's identity and purpose are. What we are left with then is to make a kind of general statement about how knighthood is identified solely with positi...
What is the concept of knighthood all about? Knighthood exists in two places simultaneously--in the world and in our imagination. We can speak of ideals versus realities, probably the central problem with knighthood and the chivalric ideals. ... The Legend of King Arthur, one of the most enduring tales in recorded history, made knighthood in the middle ages very well known. ...
