The English KnightThe word knight derives from Old English
cniht, meaning page boy, or servant. Possibly evolving partly from the Anglo-Saxon Huscarls. Like the fiersome English Huscarls they were truly a formidable warrior, combining an ethos of loyalty to the country with hardened physical and military skills. Years of training began at around 14 years of age and would finish at 18 to 21 years of age. The English name Phillip is associated with the Knights. They could fight mounted or dismounted. Charging
'at full tilt' on horseback, a two ton armoured English Knight on horse with lance was lethal. But, (unlike many continental counterparts,) the English Knight could also fight on foot in support of the famed English Archers. Known as '
men at arms'. Together, they would form a combination that would see many battles won for England, such as Agincourt and Crecy. To give an idea of how skilfull they were, it has been argued by martial artists (although not prove,) that a Samurai would last only a short time against such physically powerful, well armoured professionals.
At Agincourt the English King Henry V cut is way through 12 French knights to get to his brother who was down, but not dead. The physical fitness to do this is beyond modern people.
(I'm a Brit)
Originally, men became knights if they were particularly hard. The were hand picked soldiers, reputedly tougher and braver than other warriors, who were chosen to lead the armies and advise the king/queen. I suppose they were the earliest generals.
People are still made knights in Britain. The official name is a 'knight of the realm.' Someone who is knighted (yes, the queen really does touch the shoulders with a sword) has a Sir before their name.
These days knighthoods are awarded for outstanding achievement in a certain area, for example Sir Paul McCartney for his contribution to music, Sir Richard Branson for his contribution to business, and Sir Richard Attenborough, for his contribution to cinema.
(I am also a Brit)
Yes men would become knight through outstanding achievements in battle, however the position of knight was more likely to be given to a person of noble standing, their offspring or friends. For example, The Black Prince was a reputable knight in the middle ages but rose to that position of power through being a relative to the king.
Returning to the issue of knights gaining the title through achievements in battle. This would also likely be the nobility. This is because the nobility would be at the back of the battle and thus less likely to die. Also nobility could afford better protection such as armour and weaponry when peasants were dressed in simple clothes and armed with pitchforks of wood axes. The nobility would also undergo training as part of their growing up. These were factors that were likely to make a man a knight.
To sum up, knights were generally given their title due to connections to nobility, but even knightsthat gained the title because of achievements were normally noble in birth.
Back in the Middle Ages, there were many stages men had to pass in order to become knights.
First and foremost, you had to be from a noble family. Nobility was to be in your blood.If you weren't of noble blood, you could not be knight. These men were called surfs. Second, no women was ever a knight. Knights didn't even ride on mares because they believed that battlefields were no place for any women.
If your father had been a knight it was said not to worry on what you were to be. For you couldn't think of anything else to be. Your destiny was already chosen.
To earn your knighthood, you did the following.
At the early age of 7 , a young boy would be named a page. You would use wooden swords to learn about the many skills and ways to beome an excellent fighter.
7 years later, ( at the age of 14) you would be from a page to a squire. You would accompaned a skilled knight during his journeys towards battles.You would also assist that knight. For example, you would polish his armor and do any kind of chore given to you by him.
At long last at the age of 21, you would become a knight. That is if only you were an excellent and sucessfull squire. Quote: There's a pattern in this.(7 years x 2 = 14 years. 14 years x 3 = 21 years.)This is how men were to become knights.
There were women knights. description from Ashmole, The Institution, laws and ceremonies from the Most Noble Order of the Garter, written 1672, Ch. 3, sect.3: THE ORDER OF THE HATCHET The example is the Noble Women of Tortosa in Aragon, and recorded by Josef Micheli Marques, who plainly calls them Cavalleros or (Cavalleras) Knights... Don Raymond, the last Earl of Barcellona united that principality to the Kingdom of Aragon, having in the year 1149, gained the city of Tortosa from the Moors, they on the 31 of December following, laid a siege to that place, for the recovery of it out of the Earls hands. The inhabitants being at length reduced to great streights, desired relief from the Earl, but he, being not in any condition to give them any, they entertained some thought of making some surrender. Which the women hearing of, to prevent the disaster threatning their city, themselves, and children, put 0n mens clothes, and by a resolute sally, fored the Moors to raise the siege. The Earl, finding himself obliged by the gallentry of the action, thought fit to make his acknowledgement thereof, by granting them several Privileges and Immunities, and to perpetuate the memory of so signal an attempt, instituted an Order, somewhat like a military Order, into which were admitted only those Brave Women, deriving the honor to their descendants, and assigned them for a Darge, a thing like a Fryars Capouche, sharp at the top, after the form of a torch, and of a crimson colour, to be worn upon their head-clothes. He also ordained, that at all Publick meetings, the women should have precedence of the Men. That they should be exampted from all Taxes, and that all Apparel and Jewels, though of never so great value, left by their dead Husbands, should be their own.
Also see THE ORDER OF GLORIOUS SAINT MARY in 1233 approved by Pope Alexander IV. Suppressed by Pope Sixtus V in 1558.
KNIGHTS OF THE GARTER In England 68 ladies were appointed between 1358 and 1488, women of royal blood or wives of Knights of the Garter. They wore the garter on their left arm and some are shown on their tombstones.
And there are more. See History of Orders of Chivalry: a survey
In the early Middle Ages, knighthood was essentially a professional organization, and ANYONE who had the financial means to procure the necessary equipment and training could become a knight. This included nobles, who owned much land, small land owners, free men and craftsmen. Noble birth was not a requirement or the norm until roughly the end of the 12th century, when knighthood became more and more an entitlement of nobility.
Even then, some nobles and royals continued to look down on knighthood as a mere "profession". Before becoming King of France, the young Louis VI was knighted without his father's knowledge for this very reason!
During the Crusades, many knights of the German Order came from Burgher families who had made money through trade and commerce. German princes also granted rights of hereditary knighthood to certain families. This meant that sons were entitled to be knighted without the usual training, though the general populace had more admiration for those knights who earned their title.
The OLDEST continuing Order of chivallry, are the Knights Of St John, of Jeruselem, otherwise know as the St John Ambulance Society. These were the medical orderlies, a group of knights, who gave medical aid to the wounded, during the Crusades in the middle east.
In the current British system of honours, the medals and awards/ribbons of the order of St John are worn AHEAD of all other military awards, excepting the Victoria Cross, which is the ultimate British and Commonwealth award for "Valour" in the face of the enemy. This is to indicate that the order of St John is the OLDEST order of knights in existence, today.