Becoming a Knight

Page Age 7 Serving in household Learning swordplay Playing chess and other strategy games Hunting with hawks and falcons Learning code of courtesy expected of knight

A boy started on his way to knighthood at about the age of seven or eight. At this time, he was sent to a Lord's castle to be trained for knighthood. This young trainee was known as a page. During his time as a page, he learned about horses, armor and weapons.

Because hunting was so important, a page had to learn how to handle hawks and falcons. Since a page was also expected to serve the meals at the knight's table, they had to learn how to carve the meat properly before becoming a knight.

Pages practiced fighting with a sword against a wooden pole to develop muscles needed in becoming a strong knight. A page had to learn to skillfully use a bow and arrow for hunting and often practiced this skill by competing with others.

A knight not only had to know how to fight in battle, but he also had to learn how to be courteous. The lady of the castle taught a young page manners. He would learn how to sing, play instruments and dance from the lady.

A priest would give the page religious training and he would often teach the page how to do basic reading and writing.

Squire Age 13 – 14 Acting as personal servant to knight Learning jousting Assisting knight in battle Taking charge of prisoners captured in battle

At the age of fourteen the page became a squire. Squires had to follow their master on the battlefield to protect him if he would fall.

A squire was responsible for dressing the knight for battles and tournaments. He was the knight's assistant and the only one allowed to help the knight. The squire was responsible for taking care of the knight's armor and weapons.

He had to become skilled in the use of the armor as well as the weapons. A squire had to get used to wearing the armour.

Knight Age 18 – 22 Serving lords as warriors Overseeing land Taking part in tournaments

When considered ready, generally between the ages of eighteen and twenty, a squire was dubbed a knight. This was often performed by the knight who trained him.

By a tap on each shoulder with a sword, he was dubbed a knight, thus reminding him of his vows he promised to uphold. If a knight broke his vows or was dishonorable, he was stripped of his knighthood in another ceremony to bury him, because in the Middle Ages, " a knight without honor is no longer alive."

There were two other ways for one to become a knight. If there was a battle and the King needed additional men, he would knight a number of squires to have enough men to fight. Also, one could become a knight for showing bravery and courage in battle.

A Knight’s Writing