Stages of becoming a Knight

A knight was recognized by middle ages society as a man who possessed great combat skills. The origin of the term knight derives from Anglo-Saxon word “cniht” meaning boy. The steps to knighthood started as a boy. A knight would be recognized at the birth of a son. His early upbringing would therefore be governed by his ambition. Up to the age of 7, a young boy would be brought up on the home of his parents. At the age of 7 years old, a young boy would be sent to commence his education at the home or castle of a noble. Page is the start of the knighthood. It was a duty of a page to wait at the table and care for the lords clothes, and assist him in dressing. There were many pages. A young page would receive an education being taught religion, manners, riding, hunting, hawking, and strategic games such as backgammon and chess. A squire was a servant to a knight during the middle ages. This was step four of becoming a knight. The role of a squire was one of the most important steps to knighthood and started when a page turned 14 years of age. The duties of a squire were to learn about the chivalry, the -­­­­rules of heraldry, horsemanship, and practice the use of weapons and skills of a knight. After many years of training and learning, this is the final step. You many now become a knight. The final part would be a ceremony. The ceremony was when you have been knighted by a local knight, or if they were lucky maybe by a greater noble or even a king.