† What
were the Crusades? When did they start? How many Crusades were there?
The Crusades were
military campaigns sanctioned by the Catholic Church in the Middle
Ages. In 1095 Byzantine
Emperor Alexios I, in Constantinople, sent an ambassador to Pope
Urban II in Italy
pleading for military help against the growing Turkish threat. They start 200-year
struggle ensued. Were moret than 100.
† What were medieval castles like?
Medieval
Castles are magnificent structures that were first created around the tenth
century. These first castles were made of earth and wood. Their major use was
to protect people from attacking armies and over the centuries as technologies
and tactics of warfare changed so too did medieval castles change. Today they
are predominatly just museums or residences for royalty or the wealthy.
† Who
could become a knight?
Knighthood training was a long and often arduous process.
Knighthood training began in early childhood when a basic education and good
manners and rules of etiquette were taught at home. At the age of 7 young boys
were sent away to the castles and homes of wealthy lords or relatives to embark
on their knighthood training. From the age of seven to fourteen these young
boys were given the role of a Medieval Page. From
fourteen to twenty-one these 'apprentice knights' were referred to as Squires .
† How did a boy become a knight? What was the
training like?
Becoming
a knight was a tradition that changed over the centuries of the middle ages and
by around the sixteenth century, with the advent of gunpowder and firearms, had
pretty much become just a symbolic title.
† What were the basic rules of the Code of
Conduct and Chivalry of the knight?
The Knights Code of Chivalry was part of the culture
of the Middle Ages and was understood by all. A Code of Chivalry was documented
in 'The Song of Roland' in the Middle Ages Knights period of William the
Conqueror who ruled England from 1066. The 'Song of Roland' describes the 8th
century Knights of the Dark Ages and the battles fought by the Emperor
Charlemagne. The code has since been described as Charlemagne's Code of Chivalry.
The Song of Roland was the most famous 'chanson de geste' and was composed
between 1098-1100, describing the betrayal of Count Roland at the hand of
Ganelon, and his resulting death in the Pyranee Mountains at the hands of the
Saracens. Roland was a loyal defender of his liege Lord Charlemagne and his
code of conduct a description of the meaning of chivalry.
† What
kind of armour and weapons did knights use?
The most valuable items to a knight were his armor, weapons,
and his war horse. These three items were very expensive, meaning that only the
wealthy could afford to be knights. Many knights hoped to regain some of the
cost through plunder when they conquered enemy towns and cities.
Armor
During the Middle Ages knights wore heavy armor made of metal. There were two main kinds of armor: chain mail and plate armor.
Armor
During the Middle Ages knights wore heavy armor made of metal. There were two main kinds of armor: chain mail and plate armor.
Fet per Arnau Urgell
