Iris's blog: "FOR YOU, MY VLAD!"

NOT SURE IF ANYONE WILL READ THIS TILL THE END BUT I LOVE IT! IS ABOUT MEDIEVAL KNIGHTS!:) Medieval Society Those Who Fight The bellatores were the knights of the Middle Ages. Most people have an image of knights that comes from the very end of the Middle Ages: the knight in shining armor (that is, in plate mail), who fights bravely for his lady fair, who is chivalrous and courteous and noble. That is a stereotype, of course, useful mainly to Hollywood producers and the writers of romance novels. The reality was more complex and not nearly as attractive. Our English word "knight" comes from the German knecht, which means man (as in: he's one of my men) or servant. The German word for knight is Ritter, which means "rider" or "horseman". The French word, chevalier has the same meaning, as does caballero in Spanish. Knighthood is a somewhat slippery concept, and one that developed over the centuries. A knight was first and foremost a mounted warrior—that was his origin and that was his primary role in society. In the early Middle Ages, just about anyone who fought on horseback might be called a knight, even if he were but a lowly commoner. By Charlemagne's day, a specialized type of mounted warrior had emerged: one who wore armor, who wielded a lance in addition to the usual sword or mace, and whose specialty was the massed cavalry charge. The Franks were the real originators of this sort of fighter, but the institution spread elsewhere. Increasingly, over the tenth and eleventh centuries, the aristocracy of Europe and the mounted warriors of Europe merged into a single group. By the twelfth century, the process was pretty much complete. No one could be a knight who was not also a nobleman, and all noblemen were expected to be knights (unless they entered the Church). The other elements were in place, as well: the fief, the stone castle, sophisticated armor and high-quality steel weapons. What sort of world did the knight live in? What sort of fellow was he? The images that spring to mind most readily are the castles, tournaments, and the swords and armor of a knight. Other aspects of knighthood, however, are equally interesting and important. Their beliefs and values, for example, differed markedly from our own. The pattern of their daily life was likewise notably different. The knight began to lose his military superiority with the development of trained infantry in the 14th century. Once field artillery and hand guns came into use, the armored knight was merely a relic (16th century). The institution was so deeply ingrained, however, that it persisted for many centuries. The aristocrats continued to fight on horseback, and in many countries laws were passed that forbid anyone but a gentleman to carry a sword. And nobles still wore suits of armor, highly-decorated works of a rt they were, for parades and fine occasions. But not to the battlefield. Knight in Medieval Times – Not Necessarily the Easy Life A knight in medieval times most certainly enjoyed more creature comforts than a serf, but nevertheless the life was hard, brutal at times as the honor came with a price. For a medieval knight, duty, honor and loyalty were key to their success. Land grants, power and even their homes could be tied to their ability or inability to serve their lord – a king or powerful noble above them who granted them their status. A knight in medieval times was often chosen from boyhood for the task. Generally those picked, but not always, came from noble stock and were sent away to train at the lord’s castle. To become a knight, a boy first became a page. During training, a knight learned about horses, armor, weapons, hunting, warfare and more. The training was difficult, designed to teach the prospective knight the tools of his trade. To become a knight in medieval times, a page also needed to learn courtesy, etiquette and follow subscribed religious training. Religion was extremely important to many a knight and lord and therefore vital in medieval times. Somewhere around the age of 14, a prospective knight in medieval times moved up from page to squire. Squires entered the field of battle with their masters and protected them if necessary. Around the 13th century, a squire was expected to fight alongside their knight in order to become a knight themselves. The squire took care of the knight’s weapons and armor and the knight himself. Once a squire was deemed ready, he could or might become a knight. This generally took place around the age of 20. The ceremony to become a knight in medieval times was performed by the over knight and it was deeply religious in most cases. On the night before a boy became a full-fledged knight, sins were confessed to a priest. He was then bathed and dressed in all white. He was expected to spend the night praying in a chapel, keeping watch over his weapons and armor. The next morning he was dressed in symbolic colors – red for blood; white for purity. Vows were taken in the creation of a knight in medieval times and honor was tantamount in those vows. While literature might show the medieval knight as having an easy life, this was anything but the case for most. From the moment he became a page until the time he ended his career, the knight had extreme responsibilities to his lord, his people and God. A knight in medieval times very often would be given land and people to tend and while a castle sometimes came with the deal, the seriousness of defending the lord’s land and his subjects took a strong toll on the knight class. Duty, honor, loyalty and the willingness to shed blood and have their own shed filled the life of a medieval knight. It was no easy task and many a man was cut down before his prime in the pursuit to become a knight in medieval times. Medieval Code Of Chivalry Provided A Guide In Uncertain Times Imagine living in a time when full-scale Crusades and small, territorial battles were as commonplace as convenient stores and ATM locations are today. With battles great and small waging constantly and the threat of attack from marauders, brigands, Vikings and even next door neighbors was real, the need for a medieval code of chivalry became very apparent. The desire to begin taming a wild populace through the creation of a medieval code of chivalry came from the church. In the 11th century a bit of stability came back to the western world. This was the perfect time for the introduction of a medieval code a chivalry – a code of ethics or behavior that if held to its highest standards would create a world of gentlemanly knights and warriors. The church capitalized on the power it had behind it – God – to enable the widespread adopt of a medieval code of chivalry. During the 11th century, the church began laying the grounds for a medieval code of chivalry by first creating programs such as the Peace of God and the Truce of God. These set the stage of a medieval code of chivalry by forbidding knights from attacking women, priests, peasants and merchants. The Truce of God itself laid out a further piece of the medieval code of chivalry by outlawing battle on Sundays and other holy days. These adopts along with the medieval code of chivalry combined to lay the groundwork for more modern rules of war where all attempts are made to spare civilian lives and certain behavior is expected on and off the field from combatants. The medieval code of chivalry basically laid out a set of standards for knights and warriors to follow in regard to personal behavior. No longer was it acceptable to wage war without regard to civilian life and personal decorum. Full-scale attacks on villagers and behavior the church felt was barbaric was outlawed within the medieval code of chivalry. The further adoption of a medieval code of chivalry on a grand scale came with the crusades. These “holy wars” were heavily influenced by the church and religion. The rise of military religious orders such as the Templars, the Teutonic Knights and the Hospitalers furthered the creation of a medieval code of chivalry as members of these religious orders were heavily bound by personal vows and the desire to capture the Holy Lands for Christians. With the success of these orders, their own medieval code of chivalry became heavily intertwined with religious ideologue. The medieval code of chivalry, once fully accepted, became the rules of behavior for the “civilized” in a world often seen as anything but. The rules of war, love and overall behavior were outlined in this personal code of conduct. The use of a medieval code of chivalry to dictate behavior continued for many centuries and its influence can be scene in the time of “courtly love” and even today in the rules of conduct and fair play that dictate even modern wars among nations. Medieval Jousting Knights the Gladiators of the Chivalric Period Nothing draws the crowds at a Renaissance festival quite like the medieval jousting knights tournaments. Using wooden lances and fair play these wannabe knights trot into fans hearts as they race at each other on grand mounts decked out for the occasion. At the root of this colorful and fascinating display, however, is a much darker sport where actual medieval knights jousting literally risked life and limb for favor, fame and fortune. The tradition of medieval jousting knights is believed to have begun in France and moved to Germany and the rest of Europe from there in the 10th to 12th centuries. Tournaments involving medieval knights jousting began as military exercises between different noble factions – much like the mock tournaments of today. These were serious events, however, where prowess was meant to be displayed and the loser’s honor was at stake. These tournaments generally started pretty peacefully, but were known to degrade into blood baths – similar to the gladiator matches of ancient Rome. As it is depicted in the movie “A Knight’s Tale” these tournaments of medieval jousting knights were seen as social spring boards for the winning participants. For a rider to become a renowned medieval jousting knight meant fame, glory, money and a higher station in life. Winners were favored by their lords as they added glory to his name as well. The practice of using medieval knights jousting in tournaments that involved actual weapons of war was popular until the death of several nobles and also King Henry II of France in the mid 1500s. Then the battles, which were meant to display military mastery, became more peaceful with the inclusion of ring competitions rather than man to man battles. Although the blood sport involved for medieval jousting began to disappear from the scene, the practice of holding tournaments did not. There are well documented reports of tournaments involving knights jousting well into the next few centuries and even the introduction of the sport to the American colonies by Lord Baltimore. The allure of medieval jousting knights continues today at festivals and other re-enactment events. Crowds that gather to watch re-enactors portray what medieval knights at jousting tournaments must have looked like are impressive as are the displays themselves. In modern times, those playing the roles of medieval knights jousting still ride horses, wear armor and prance to a pageantry that’s truly noble. They, however, use blunted, wooden lances, rather than the sharp, metallic and deadly piercing instruments of days gone by. These mock battles are carefully choreographed to avoid injury of the medieval jousting knights involved, too, something that wouldn’t have happened hundreds of years ago. For those interested in getting a taste of what medieval jousting knights in tournament must have looked like, a trip to a festival or even a medieval-themed dinner theater will give a good indication of the elaborate dance the knights of yesterday must have played as they rode toward each other risking life for fame. Medieval Knight Weapons – Metal Made the Man Medieval knight weapons were as diverse and interesting as the period of history itself. A good knight could be rendered useless in battle if his weapons weren’t well made and durable. From swords and axes to pikes and halberds, the metal behind the weapons in the medieval knight weapon catalogue is often what made the difference between success and failure. The smiths who crafted weapons were the unsung heroes of warfare. As was the case in the making of chain and other forms of armor, the medieval knight weapon was greatly effected by the quality of metals available. Iron was the most common metal of use, refined into steel for a more high quality weapon. However, the medieval knight weapon was dependent on quality iron, something difficult to obtain in many parts of the world. Very pure iron processed into steel would create a more solid finished product for the use in a medieval knight weapon. Weapons created using substandard bog iron, found in peat areas, would oftentimes be more brittle and subject to breaking. This could be tragic for a warrior who depended on his sword as a medieval knight weapon of choice. Despite some problems with the creation of metal products, the medieval knight weapon of most common use was a sword. Sharp on the edges and deadly brutal on the tip, the medieval knight weapon of choice came in many varieties. From long swords to short and even cutlasses and scimitars, the medieval knight weapon of choice could be carried with ease, was effective in battle and also showed signs of status based on its quality and workmanship. Long swords and their ilk were used in battle and for show, other more decorative swords were used for ceremony and in tournaments as medieval knight weapons of choice. Medieval knight weapon examples found in the sword class were typically double edged and made from steel. They generally had a crossguard hilt and pommel. Medieval knight weapon makers were known to adorn the swords with decorations or engravings. The owner’s name, prayers and even jewels are found on surviving examples. The medieval knight weapon’s intricacy often stood testament to the status of the owner. While swords were the medieval knight weapon most commonly used by those of station, others weapons were well used in battle. Axes, pikes, halberds and more all had a place in the history of the medieval knight weapon. If it could strike a target, it could be used as a medieval knight weapon. Also commonly used as a medieval knight weapon, the lance was known for its powerful blow from a mounted rider. This long wooden pole was often tipped with deadly metals for real battles. The lance, however, really came into its own as a medieval knight weapon for jousting in tournaments. To help spare unnecessary bloodshed against a friendly opponent, tournament lances were often blunted on the ends. Medieval knight weapon models served the purposes of aiding their owners in battle and also showing the status of their wielders. Heavily adorned medieval knight weapons might look pretty, but the true test of their mettle was in their durability, a feat for weaponmakers plagued by low quality iron reserves and a difficult steel making process. Medieval Times Knight – The Evolution of Nobility The story of a medieval times knight begins at the start of the period when they were simply hired hands for battle and ends with the close of the era when knighthood was an honored station. What comes in between for the medieval times knight is a lot of warfare, a rise to landed power and the creation of a mystique that keeps their legend alive today. At their first appearance, medieval times knights were quite literally hired hands to help fight battles. The medieval times knight of the early period was a warrior who would swear loyalty to a leader and fight for him in exchange for land or money. It was the medieval times knight’s mission to spill blood or have it spilled on the field of battle should a liege call. The Anglo-Saxon word from which knight evolved simply means boy. As the history of the medieval times knight wore on, however, the word came to mean so much more as it was packed with stories of honor, bravery and daring. As the middle ages continued, the medieval times knight began to pass on land grants from father to son, creating a class of nobility in and of itself. With the land came responsibility for the medieval times knight. As time marched forward the former mercenary, the medieval times knight, was involved in local politics, justice dealing and other workings of government. Gone were the days of a simple exchange for a sword in battle. With the crusades and other organized battles, the medieval times knight became bound to codes of honor along with their oaths of loyalty. Whether chivalric law or religious convictions, medieval times knights were expected to act a certain way and fight a certain way, giving rise to the legends that made the class of medieval times knight famous. When it came to fighting, the medieval times knight was expected to follow his code of honor. With the church heavily involved in the politics of Europe, the medieval times knight was subjected to rules that included the limitations of days of battle to exclude days of religious importance. In addition to religious restrictions, the medieval times knight also became subject to a romanticized law as well. Medieval times knights, especially after the crusades, were expected to behave in a certain manner. Weaponry and armor are often what set medieval times knight class members apart from commoners over and above any land one might own. Well made steel armor and weapons were a sign of wealth and status and were often handed down from father to son along with land and title. The more elaborate the weaponry and armor, the higher the status of the medieval times knight. The life of a medieval times knight was not all romance and glory, however. Knights were expected to fight and die for their liege. Their oaths of loyalty bound them to a single noble or warlord and that noble or warlord’s own oath could have them fighting in battles that had little or nothing to do with their own concerns. From hired sword to landed wealth, the medieval times knight both shaped and was shaped by the period giving rise to legends that inspire enthusiasts today. The Power and Glory of Middle Age Knights We have all heard of the mounted warriors known as the Middle Age Knights (or Medieval Knights). Their epic battles and heroic deeds have become legends. One thing is certain, a Medieval Knight is a symbol of bravery. Who were the Middle Age Knights and what was their purpose? Why have these Medieval Knights become a symbol of romance and power? Let’s look closer at history and see if we can find some answers. Knights were warriors who traveled and battled while mounted on horseback. Obviously, that is not to say these knights never walked around. The point is Knights in the Middle Ages were highly skilled in both riding and fighting on horseback. Employed by Lords, and furnished with the equipment and training they needed, Middle Age Knights were well cared for and well prepared to serve their Lord. This service included guarding castles, fighting battles and upholding political or religious ideals through exertion of brute force upon any that dared oppose the ideals of his Lordship. During the crusades of the 1200s, the Knights were looked to for the savior and redemption of souls. Although seen as being incredibly brave, one must consider the service the Middle Age Knights were required to give their Lord. Bound by their word and pledge of service, these knights truly displayed bravery that was seldom seen in the centuries to follow. As a warrior and savior, they gained admiration and respect. Often will you read the tale of a single Middle Age Knight engaging in battle with 3 or even more enemies. And often you will find it was the remaining enemies who ran away rather than the Knight who fell. In the Middle Ages often the demonstration of power through battle and contests won Knights an opportunity to showcase their skill in wielding the sword or lance on horseback. As part of an effective military force, Middle Age Knights would work together in cavalry formations, unleashing a formidable driving force upon its enemy’s ranks. The speed in which they could move and run on horseback lent to their effectiveness in the field. It could be easily assumed that with such skill and glory, the Knights would be in control of their own destinies. Nothing could be farther from the truth however. Despite their elevated image in society, these Knights lived a life of servitude under the control of their lord. As one of these Knights, your career was chosen for you, your wife was chosen for you and the land that your family lived on could be taken from you without a moments notice. Everything was for the glory and honor of the Lord. Not the one true Lord of the Heavens above but for the Knight’s Lord of the land. And they were bound by the words and laws of their Lords. In this way, one might say that the glory of Middle Age Knights was but an illusion although their deeds were great and their skills rarely were equaled.