Knightly Culture

Becoming a Knight Started at Age 7, becoming a Page – Trained from childhood to fight with weapons and ride horses At age 12 they would become a Squire – Squires had more dangerous training – Trained under a full Knight If the squire proved their bravery in battle by age 21, they would be knighted – Dubbing Ceremony – Swore Oath to King and Church

Tournaments Tournaments were big competitions that Knights participated in Consisted of Jousting and Melee – Jousting had Knights try to unhorse each other with lances – Melee had knights fight each other with blunted weapons trying to capture and ransom each other Knights could win prizes of money or equipment – Would also earn Glory and Fame Highly dangerous

Ceremonial Armor Ulrich von Lichtenstein Jousting Armor

Jousting

Heraldry Used to display symbols of families or institutions Decorated banners and shields Mainly used for the “Coat of Arms” – Family symbol centered around a shield

Coat of Arms Shield most important part – Displays symbols and colors Helm and Crest go on top of the Shield Mantling drapery running off the helmet – Represents cloth worn over armor to protect it from weather Supporters were mystical animals or people the family used for decoration Motto the family saying of phrase – Often a pun

Examples Heraldry Society of CanadaRoman Catholic Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms for Pennsylvania