Knight: Difference between revisions
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In later periods, being made a knight was a great [[honour]]. A knight's behaviour, both in [[combat|battle]] and normal life, was guided by a [[code of conduct]]. |
In later periods, being made a knight was a great [[honour]]. A knight's behaviour, both in [[combat|battle]] and normal life, was guided by a [[code of conduct]]. |
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In classical chivalry, the '''knight''' was accompanied by a '''[[squire]]''', a '''[[page]]''' and a '''[[man-at-arms]]''', the whole then being known as a '''''lance'''''. |
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From this comes the phrase ''free-lance'', meaning a lance which was not in [[fealty]] to a superior [[lord]]. |
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A knight was, in general, in command only of his own lance, and took orders from a [[marshall]]. A number of knights were reckoned to be sufficiently experienced to command other knights: they did so as the marshall's delegate. If a knight rose sufficiently to be viewed as capable of being given a command of his own, it was customary then to make him a '''knight-banneret''' -- he was then allowed his own small banner, with his [[arms]] upon it, to fly before his sub-division of the army. |
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===See Also=== |
===See Also=== |
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Revision as of 04:06, 8 February 2006
The Historical Knight
In Medieval times, a knight was a mounted warrior in the service of a Lord. The word 'knight' is derived from the German word 'knecht', which means 'servant'.
In later periods, being made a knight was a great honour. A knight's behaviour, both in battle and normal life, was guided by a code of conduct.
In classical chivalry, the knight was accompanied by a squire, a page and a man-at-arms, the whole then being known as a lance. From this comes the phrase free-lance, meaning a lance which was not in fealty to a superior lord. A knight was, in general, in command only of his own lance, and took orders from a marshall. A number of knights were reckoned to be sufficiently experienced to command other knights: they did so as the marshall's delegate. If a knight rose sufficiently to be viewed as capable of being given a command of his own, it was customary then to make him a knight-banneret -- he was then allowed his own small banner, with his arms upon it, to fly before his sub-division of the army.
