The Path of Chivalry

Knighthood

Speaking of upcoming knights, learning chivalry was only near the beginning of their journey. In order to even know or train under chivalry, a child around the age of seven was given by his parents to the king. Based on how the king felt, the child could see his parents on occasion, or never again. In most cases, the child would mainly stay in the king's castle and become a page. A page is the first step in becoming a knight. They were considered in the chivalry world a mere novice

A page's duties were similar to that of a house keeper. They were expected to clean the castle, set the dining table, and anything else involving house work. This was until the lord walked in. Pages had to kneel down in their presences, announce "God speed you", then attend to whatever need they might require. They had to treat errands from their lords and ladies as an honor, and act as a gentleman would whenever approached. They must not slouch or lean on something when their lord spoke to them. Interrupting their lord's speech was also forbidden. They had to speak to their lord when spoken to, and after the deed was dealt with, must be "serviceable" and wait on the lords and ladies of the castle.

A page's studies were that of learning their prayers, learning to sing, playing instruments, reading books, playing backgammon and chess, and having respect for the church and their religion. Pages who disobeyed their teachers or ignored orders were shunned by other pages. The king could even return the child to his parents if he found the page too disobedient. Otherwise, the page was also trained how to use light weapons, such as bows, lances and swords, on swimming, boxing, fencing and finally, hawking. Being a page also meant that he must learn how to ride a horse as soon as possible. Riding was important back in medieval times due to their significance in military combat. Horses were considered a key tool of warfare involving the knight, as this will be discussed later on. According to the book, When Knights Were Bold, it states the following about pages learning horseback riding:

"It was not a mere canter on a pony whenever he took fancy: it was a careful training, for he must practice leaping over ditches and walls, he must be able to spring into the saddle without touching the stirrup, and, in short, he must learn to be as perfectly at home on the back of a horse as on his own feet."

(Tappan)

After the page had completed his studies and gained experience, he could be promoted by the king to the title of squire. Squires were usually around the age of fourteen or fifteen years old when titled. The squire was now like the adept in the chivalry world. A squire could now personally join a knight up close in the field of battle, where his job was to aid him in combat. Being a squire was one step closer to being a knight, but it came with greater obstacles. The squire acquired new studies, but much more difficult training. The squire had to not only continue a page's regular training, but to also learn to endure extremely hot and cold temperatures, climb jagged cliffs, bear thirst and hunger, and keep himself awake through long nights of watching. They also had to learn to master new, heavier weapons, such as war axes and spears, learn how to joust and use the lance, and to train to endure the heavy weight of their new future armor.

This was also near the time when they had to officially decide their lady of honor. This task was assigned to them when they were pages, but as a squire, this was near the time to fully commit your heart in their defense. A lady of honor was usually that of high birth, and a knight was expected to serve a lady for several reason. A knight in the future would have to prove their knighthood, as well as make a living in military combat. Choosing a lady of high birth to serve would easily give them a position in the lord's army. Choosing a lady was always expected of a knight, but at times, never rushed. Before the time began to serve a lady, squires and pages continued to train. Squires and pages often did "mock contests" with wooden dummies or others to learn battle tactics or to prove themselves. Some of the wooden dummies would even strike a blow back at the trainee if they were to perform a wrong move or lack the speed to avoid it. These dummies would help them train before going out into the field with their knight teachers.

Knights often used squires to aid in carrying weapons, healing wounds, getting back on their horse, or even notifying the king of his upcoming death. Squires were like a knight's apprentice, as they would obey a knight's orders just like that of a king. The squire must also protect the knight's life as much as the knight would do for him. Knights were to never attack a squire or page, as this was considered a disgrace to their code of honor. In fact, dying on the battlefield was considered to some a dishonor. In order to save their honor, a knight would anoint their squire a knight. This was done by the knight being able to give the squire a blow to the shoulder or neck, and reciting a few words declaring him knight. The knight would then give the squire proof of the declaration by giving him a token of his lady, and then die. Thankfully, more squires were anointed knight in the ceremonial way.

When enough experience was gained, and the knight approved of his apprentice's skills, the knighting ceremony would begin. The squire would meet with the king, kneel, and receive a blow to the neck or shoulder. The king would say, "In the name of God, of Saint Michael, and of Saint George, I dub thee knight. Be brave, ready, and loyal." It was sometimes as short as, "Be a good knight." After the phrase was given, the squire must cut a lock of his hair off. It was seen as a mark of devotion of one's self to God. Sometimes the candidate even shaved his whole head like a monk to prove so.

The candidate was then put in a bath and then into bed. The bath was supposed to be cleanse him from all the sins of his previous life, and this was symbolized in bed by wearing a white tunic. Over the white tunic was a red garment with long sleeves and a hood over his face. It was to represent he was ready to shed his blood for God like God did for him. Finally, a tight, black coat was put upon him to remind him of the death everyone must meet.

The candidate then had to go through twenty-four hours of fasting inside a church. He would pray and meditate by his armor as he spent the night at the church. Text from When Knights Were Bold, the book mentioned earlier, states that:

"When the sun rose, he made his confession to a priest, heard mass, and partook of the Holy Sacrament."

(Tappan)

The candidate would then be led by the priest to the castle or church hall to perform the main ceremony. The squire's friends would gather in the hall to witness his crowning as knight. When all the guests and the king had arrived, the priest would start the ritual. The priest would bless the sword of the knight to perform heavenly deeds, then pass the sword to the king. The king would use this sword to officially "knight" the candidate in the ceremony. The knight would kneel down and receive a gentle blow to one or both sides of the neck or shoulder. At times the king would use his hands to give a heavy blow to the candidate's shoulder. Either way, the king would give the candidate a personal declaration, in his own words, of his official knighthood. After his speech, the squire was now officially a knight. The knight would be suited in his armor, be mounted on his horse, and gallop outside the castle, displaying his knightly skills to the king and guests.