Medieval Europe Knights

Discuss in pairs. Read the information. Think about and write in your books. Listen to the teacher explain. Take notes in your book from the slide. Do the activity.

Originally Originally knights were recognised for their skill on the battlefield and, as a result, it was possible for a peasant to earn a knighthood. However, by the 13th century only those of noble birth were admitted to the knighthood.

Knights At First At first any skilled man with a horse could be a knight. But during the 12th century knights most came from wealthy noble families. This was because it cost a lot of money to buy a horse and protective armour. A knight had to supply his own horse and armour, as well as a troop of fighting men, if his lord called on him to fight. It was also because by this time knights had become a privileged class in medieval society.

Training to be a Knight At the age of seven a lord’s boy would leave to live with another lord’s family as a page. There he was taught: to ride a horse serve food Sing play chess To love and serve God Manners War games with blunt wooden weapons.

Training to be a Knight Sword fighting How to care for a horse At the age of 15 the page became a squire to another knight. He learned: Sword fighting How to care for a horse Hawking and hunting How to put armour on Wrestling The knight’s code of conduct. How to handle different weapons

Becoming a Knight At the age of 21 the squire could become a knight. This could happen as a result of bravery on the battlefield or through the ceremony of dubbing. By the way: This man being knighted is Sir Patrick Stewart otherwise known from Star Trek as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and X-men as Professor Charles Xavier. He was knighted in 2010 for his services to Drama.

Activities Create a flow chart explaining the steps involved with becoming a knight. Write a diary entry from a training knight. You can be at any stage of his training. What did you do that day? How do you feel about what you are doing? How do you imagine what your future might be? Research Question: Find the last 3 people to be knighted by Queen Elizabeth. Who were they? Why were they knighted? When were they knighted?

Code of Chivalry A knight was expected to follow a set of rules and act according to the code of chivalry. He had to be brave and honest and a good Christian. He had to stand up for what was just and good. He had a duty to help those in trouble and to defend a lady’s honour. If he broke the code he would be disgraced and his sword and spurs would be broken.

A chivalrous knight was: Faithful to the Church and prepared to die for it. The champion of justice Prepared to help the weak and oppressed Brave and courageous in battle A defender of a woman’s honour

‘Warriors’ with Terry Schappert