Medieval Knights

Of the three types of soldiers during the middle ages, the Knights were on top of the hierarchy. No foot soldier or archer could successfully face a Knight who wore up to 50 pounds of metal all over his body. The most coveted position in any medieval army, Knighthood was not an easy task to achieve. Not only it was an expensive deed, it was also the most grueling and dangerous. Men were trained from the tender age of 8 and officially pronounced a Knight at the age of 20. Though most males in the middle ages aspired to become Knight, it was mostly the sons of aristocrats or a descendant of a Knight who could afford to become one. At the age of 8 a prospective Knight would be enrolled in a castle where he trained in horse riding, wrestling, body strengthening, read and write Latin and French, sing and dance. They were taught to be courteous to all women, how to behave in a king's court, and shower mercy on enemies that surrendered. Though being a Knight had is merits, it was also a dangerous job. While some Knights were awarded mighty castles and high salaries, other Knights ended up loosing their lives; though they did so in high honor. Knights were also allowed to ransack any land that they captured upon waging a war. Some men became Knight so they could pillage cities, often refusing any salaries offered by the king. A Knight amour weighed anywhere between 40 to 60 pounds. A Knight had to wear special padding underneath his amour to ease off the weight of the amour. To a battle a Knight would carry a shield, usually embossed with the king's or the family's seal, a sword worn on his left, a dagger on his right and occasionally also carry a lance, metal axe, maces, and ballet hammers. He wore a heavy helmet on his head for protection.