April Puerto Period: Two

1. April Puerto Period: Two

2. The Proper Upbringing • If one wanted to become a Knight, his upbringing would play a vital role in feeding his ambition • The ambition to become a knight would be recognized at an early age and the desire to pursue that lifestyle would be pushed forward by the parents. The Parents of the child, before reaching the age of seven, would help the child develop their passion by toys or mini lessons to engage the child’s understanding.

3. The Page • At seven years old, the male child would be sent to live at the house or castle of a Nobleman to begin his education. Here the child is taking his first official step into the world of Knighthood. • The main duties of a page, also referred to as Varlet, which means “Little Vassal” was to wait on the noble and the ladies of the court • Ages of the Pages ranged from seven years old to fourteen • The number of pages in training depended on the wealth of the nobleman. • The page would receive training in the skills of the lance, horsemanship and target practice • An education in religion, manners, ethics, riding, hunting and hawking was a common part of the training the pages received. • The pages would practice fight amongst themselves and participate in small tournament to get the skills they needed.

4. TheSquire • The squire stage of the road to knighthood is the most important role of the process. • A page would become a squire at the age of fourteen. • Squire’s would be a servant to a Knight during the Middle Ages. • The main purpose for a squire is to learn the rules of chivalry, horsemanship and combat. • The squires also integrated themselves with the daily life of the castle and learned about socializing • Squire’s served their role for seven years in order to become a Knight at the age of twenty-one. • In special cases, some Squires were inducted into Knighthood earlier then the original age because of bravery • In times of battle, Squires accompanied their Knight mentors and fought with them. Many were killed in the line of duty

5. The Knight • Knighthood was granted at the age of twenty-one as long as the training was met and that you didn’t die during your time as a Squire  • Knighthood was completed by a ceremony • At the ceremony, the local knight would grant the Squires Knighthood. • In some rare circumstances, a greater nobleman or the King would dub the Squire a Knight. • “Arise Sir Knight” would be the words to officially symbolize the title of a Knight.

6. TheHorse • Horses were the most important part of a Knight’s training • Most powerful weapon they had. • The horses were trained to kick and stomp. • Warhorses were armored and fitted with equipment to assist their Knight in battle. • Most common horse used were Destriers.

7. ExtraFacts • Before jousting, the lance was measured so that no one Knight had a longer lance. • The death blow delivered by the winning Knight to his opponents was called “Coup de Grace” • At the end of their Knighthood training and beginning of their new life, the Knight could claim the title Sir. • The most important weapon a Knight had was his horse. • The warhorses were trained to kill and were fully armored to do so. • A disgraced Knight would have his shield turned upside down and his spurs taken off. • A warhorse was trained to kick during combat.

8. Bibliography • www.google.com • www.ask.com • http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-knights/facts-on-medieval-knights.htm • http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/steps-to-knighthood.htm