KNIGHTHOODThe Warrior Class of Medieval Europe

January 27, 2014

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

• What Role Did Knights Play in Europe during the Middle Ages?

Warm-up Activity

• Take a sheet of paper and draw a line down the center

• On the left side, write down everything you know or think you know about knights

• On the right side, write down everything you know or think you know about modern soldiers

• Circle or star everything that is alike

KNIGHTS-WARRIORS IN SHINING ARMOR

• The Role of a Knight• Most important member of feudal army• Main occupation was fighting. While knights in peace could take

on other roles, the main purpose of knighthood was to have a capable and effective warrior.• Served his master-remember a knight was a vassal.• Perhaps most importantly, knights were to defend Christianity

against all attacks.

THE STAGES OF KNIGHTHOOD (HOW TO BECOME A KNIGHT)

• Page-(Age 7 on) • Learned to ride a horse, learned manners, had religious instruction,

and was trained in music and dance (taught by ladies of castle)

• Squire-(Age 12-13)• Assisted knights, became lord’s devoted attendant, took care of

armor and weapons and became skilled in their use, helped in tournaments

• Knight-(When Qualified)• Usually knighted by the king, sometimes ceremony took place on

battlefield-particularly after a brave act that saved someone’s life.

CODE OF CHIVALRY

• Honored set of rules sworn to by all knights

• Emphasis upon courage, loyalty, and devotion to duty

• Courtesy towards and defense of women

• Protection of the poor , the weak, and the needy

INTERESTING FACTS

• Heraldry• Also known as a coat of arms, was used as identification on a knight’s shield

during battle• Honor

• Knights swore to and upheld the Code of Chivalry. This code of honor governed everything they did.

• Failure to uphold the Code of Chivalry meant public disgrace of the highest degree. Although punishments varied, the most serious violations could result in the knight being put alive in a coffin and taken to a church where a priest would perform a funeral. A knight without honor was considered dead.

• Tournaments• Public gatherings of knights from several manors• Knights competed in games and other events to show their strength and skill• Many times tournaments served as a way for disputes to be settled without

actual warfare.

Castles

• Essential Question: What important role did castles play in Medieval Society?

Castles

• Read “How Did Nobles Live” on pages 526-527.

• Draw/Design your own castle, staying true to the ideas presented in the reading.

• Then, on the back copy these questions and leave space to answer each.• Why were castles so important in Medieval European warfare?• What are some of the main features of a castle?• What is the difference between a castle and a ring fort?• Why were castles able to be easily defended?• What methods could be used to defeat a castle?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P9hADSXUs8