The knight is the most iconic figure of the Middle Ages. But behind the armour lies a story of military innovation and social privileges.
Quick Facts: Knighthood
Role: Heavily armed cavalry soldier and member of the social elite.
Code: Chivalry (honor, loyalty, protection of the weak).
Horses: Use of different breeds, such as the mighty Destrier for combat.
Decline: In the 15th century replaced by professional infantry and firearms.
The Evolution of Armour
The knight began in the 11th century in a chainmail shirt with a nasal helmet. Over the centuries, weapons grew stronger, forcing armour to evolve accordingly. In the 15th century, this reached its peak with full plate armour. Tournaments served as a kind of 'test circuit' for new armour, much like modern Formula 1.
The Knight Orders and the Dark Side
Knight orders such as the Templars and the Teutonic Order combined religion with military power. However, reality was not always honorable. During wars, 'robber knights' emerged who used their status to plunder villages and extort the population. The chivalric code was often an ideal that was regularly violated in practice.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
How heavy was a knight's armour?
A full suit of plate armour weighed between 20 and 25 kilos. That sounds heavy, but because the weight was distributed across the entire body, a trained knight could still run in it and jump onto his horse.
Could women become knights?
Although rare, there are documented cases of women who fulfilled military feudal duties or were part of knight orders, such as Petronilla de Grandmesnil.
Summary
The knight was the technological 'tank' of the medieval battlefield.
Knighthood was an exclusive social class with its own laws and privileges.
The rise of new warfare tactics ended their military dominance.
