Life in the Hierarchy: Knights and Chivalry
Examine the training, battlefield role, and chivalric code of medieval knights—including duties of bravery, loyalty, and protecting the weak—in Grade 7 history.
Key Concepts
In the often violent world of the Middle Ages, lords relied on professional warriors for protection. Noble boys began training at a young age to become knights , who were elite soldiers fighting on horseback. Their primary duty was to serve their lord in battle and defend his lands.
A knight was expected to be more than just a skilled fighter. He had to follow a code of conduct called chivalry . This code demanded that a knight be brave, loyal to his lord, and fair to his enemies. It also called on him to protect the weak and treat noblewomen with courtesy. A knight was meant to be a model of both strength and honor.
Common Questions
How did boys become knights in medieval Europe?
Boys from noble families began training at a young age, first serving as pages learning basic combat skills, then becoming squires assisting knights in battle. After years of training, they were formally knighted—becoming elite mounted warriors in service to their lord. This lengthy training process produced skilled professional fighters who were the backbone of medieval armies.
What was the code of chivalry?
Chivalry was a code of conduct for knights that demanded they be brave in battle, loyal to their lord, and fair even to their enemies. Beyond military virtues, chivalry also required knights to protect the weak and treat noblewomen with courtesy and respect. A chivalric knight was meant to embody both physical strength and moral honor.
What was the primary duty of a medieval knight?
A knight's primary duty was military service—to fight on horseback in defense of his lord's lands and interests. Knights were professional warriors whose military skill justified their privileged position in society. In exchange for this service, lords provided knights with land, equipment, and protection.