(#9) Their Armor Was A Hindrance
Medieval knight armor might appear imposing, but there's a reason to believe it wasn't particularly useful. It was good at deflecting arrows, but most full-body armors were 66 to 110 pounds, which significantly weighed down the knights and affected their abilities to move and fight.
Historians and researchers believe some armies in the 14th and 15th centuries might have won several major battles if only they had used less armor. The lack of weight could have made the knights faster, less tired, and more capable of running circles around other lumbering knights. By the 16th century, most soldiers had traded in their heavy armor for something more mobile.
(#2) They Were Chivalrous, Sort Of
Most people have heard about how knights adhered to a code of chivalry. Many tend to imagine chivalry in a courtly sense, with knights being polite to women. The system was actually more often a way to keep belligerent knights in line.
One set of chivalry rules, for example, addressed seemingly straightforward situations, which included refraining from these activities: beating up priests; stealing livestock; robbing, killing, or kidnapping random people; burning down houses for no reason; and assaulting women.
(#11) Minstrels Entertained Them At Night
Evenings were often a communal time, and knights and noblemen needed a way to entertain themselves in the evenings. On most nights during or immediately after dinner, a minstrel came around to tell stories or play songs. On evenings without entertainment, the men spent time together conversing.
(#1) Most Days Began With Mass
In medieval Europe, almost everyone was Catholic. Whether they truly believed in the religion was irrelevant. All people — and especially those in higher authority such as knights — had to adhere to daily religious duties. Knights started each day with a mid-morning mass at the local church. Presumably, this helped center them so they could start their day on the right foot.
(#10) Men Became Knights When They Turned 21
People in medieval times struggled to reach 30 years old, but even still, most boys didn't become knights until they turned 21. Starting at 7 years old, future knights trained constantly to develop into stronger and more capable warriors.
They learned horseback riding, archery, and swordsmanship until they were proficient enough to achieve knighthood. In time, they went through a "dubbing ceremony" and pledged themselves to a particular lord.
(#8) They Showed Off In Tournaments
To practice and hone their skills without going into battle, as well as earn public kudos and prize money, knights participated in tournaments. Though knights did engage in jousting at these sporting spectacles, the first tournaments featured melees.
In a melee, groups of armed horsemen duked it out in mock battles. Jousting, in which two armed horsemen tried to topple each other off horses, overtook the melee in the 15th century. Tournaments turned into glorified equestrian displays called carousels.
These tournaments were open exclusively to noblemen, and it was a great honor to participate in them.
New Random Displays Display All By Ranking
About This Tool
Knight originally refers to the cavalry who received formal military training in the Middle Ages in Europe, and later became a social class. The identity of the knight is often not inherited. In the Middle Ages, the knight served in the army of the lord and obtained a fief. Both kings and nobles need soldiers who have an overwhelming advantage in war. For this reason, they will cultivate some brave and strong knights.
The use of advanced weapons, the application of new tactics, and other factors have led to the gradual decline of traditional knights, but in many countries and regions, the title of knights still remains. The random tool brings us back to the Middle Ages to see the real-life of a knight.
Our data comes from Ranker, If you want to participate in the ranking of items displayed on this page, please click here.