Knights

It was the duty of a Middle Ages Knight to learn how to fight and to serve their liege Lord according to the Code of Chivalry. The Code of Chivalry dictated that a Knight should be brave and fearless in battle but would also exhibit cultured Knightly qualities showing themselves to be devout, loyal, courteous and generous. (Bouchard 2) Weapon practice included enhancing skills in the two-handed sword, battle-axe, mace, dagger and lance. A Knight would be expected to guard the Castle and support his liege lord in Middle Ages warfare. Details of the life of Middle Age knights in a castle, together with castle warfare, are covered in the section about Middle Ages Castles. To gain Knighthood in the Middle Ages was a never-ending task. Knighthood was not passed down purely because a young man was the son of a noble. There were many steps to achieving a knighthood, requiring years of training. The steps towards achieving a knighthood started with training as a page and then as a squire, also referred to as an esquire. Generally there were two ways that a boy could eventually become a knight. The first way was to be born into it. If a boy was the son of a knight or royalty he could be assured the opportunity of becoming a knight. Secondly it was possible for a man to become a knight by proving himself through bravery and prowess on the battlefield. The Knights job in the Middle Ages centered around enhancing their Knightly skills in the use of weapons, horsemanship and medieval warfare. (Bouchard 5) The sons of Nobles, except those who were destined to take Holy Orders, were placed in the service of the great Lords of the land. (Bouchard 5) These sons of the Middle Ages nobles were sent to live in the castle of their liege lord and commence their education and learn the skills required as a Knight. The Middles Ages castles served as 'Knight School!' Strict Codes of Conduct dictated the life of a Knight during the Middle Ages and the strict