How to become a knight in medieval times
1. The Pageboy
In medieval times, a pageboy was mostly a boy from a noble family between 7 and 14 years old who served as an attendant to a knight. Until the age of about seven, sons of noble families would receive training in manners and daily from their mothers or other female relatives. Like the nonnoble children. When he became 7 years old, he would be sent to a castle. This would match the age at which children from lower classes started with their first job.
A young boy served as a page for about seven years. Their residence in a castle or noble house served as a goodwill gesture between the two families. It helped the boy to gain social and political contacts for his adult live.
His job could be running messages, serving food and drinks and cleaning cloth and weapons. When he behaved well his master would teach him the basics of combat. He might be required to arm or dress his lord when before a training or a fight. While a pageboy only received accommodation and food, he could be rewarded for an exceptional act of service. In return for his work, the page would receive training in horse-riding, hunting, hawking and combat. These were essential skills he needed as an adult noble man in medieval times.
To become a noble knight, it was also necessary that the pageboy learned to play music instruments, to compose and singing songs and to learning how to play board games such as chess. When he was cleaver enough, he got lessons in reading and writing from a cleric or from even a from a grammar master. Finally, he had to learn also courtly manners and humility.
Medieval pages might accompany their lords to war. Their roles in battle were limited to secondary assistance and minor support functions. Only when a castle was under attack and crossbows were available for use by pages he had to assist in fighting. A crossbow is a long-range weapon and almost the only medieval weapon which could be employed effectively by a pageboy.
2. The squire
At the age of 14 the page boy, or a non-noble teenager could become a squire. A noble squire was a teenaged boy, training to become a knight. The word "squire" comes from a French word "shield-bearer." The noble squire served a knight as an attendant or shield carrier, doing simple but important tasks such as saddling a horse or caring for the knight's weapons and amor. The noble squires were trained to become knight for the cavalry troops.
The non-noble squires, often servants for the sergeants. were trained as infantry troops.
The noble squires had a long way to go. He had to develop a variety of skills. He got lessons in the “Code of chivalry”, horsemanship, swordsmanship, marksmanship, the rules of heraldry as well as several athletic skills to help them on the battlefield. The squire was expected to be well-acquainted with music, dance, jousting and various elements of court etiquette. The squire would sometimes carry the knight's flag into battle with his master to give him a chance to prove himself.
The typical jobs of a squire included:
1. Carrying the knight’s armour, shield, and sword,
2. guarding prisoners,
3. ensuring an honourable burial for a knight,4.
4. replacing an injured or killed horse,
5. dressing the knights in armour,
6. carrying the flag,
7. protecting the knight,
8. taking care of the horses,
9. accompanying the knight to tournaments and the battlefield,
10. maintaining the equipment, scrubbing, and cleaning the knight’s armour
In medieval times, knights were required to be not just skilful warriors but also the embodiment of several qualities such as honour, courtesy, bravery, and mercy towards the poor. The knights were further required to be faithful to wage war for the common good and to avoid any unnecessary fights. The” Code of Chivalry” also behoved a knight never to turn down an equal's challenge and always respect women. Squires were taught the code of chivalry and epic tales were narrated to them to install the significance of the code in their hearts.
3. The Knight
Medieval squires were promoted to knighthood usually at the age of around 21. An earlier promotion also took place in case of an exceptional show of bravery by the squire. He gained the title of knight at a "dubbing" ceremony. A dubbing ceremony is also calle
, dubbing ceremonies began to include elements of Christianity. The night before the ceremony the squire had usually to take a ritual bath followed by an all-night prayer. The next day during ceremony the squire would kneel before another knight, lord, or king who would then tap the squire on the shoulder with his sword making him a knight. The new knight would swear an oath to honour called” Code of Chivalry”. He would be presented with a pair of riding spurs and a sword. After this official part he often would be dressed in Armor, mount his horse, and participate in martial games to demonstrate his skills. In war times, a squire, who had demonstrated exceptional bravery in battlefield could be knighted on the battlefield by another knight.
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