| Revision as of 21:53, 25 October 2002 edit195.149.37.135 (talk) also Denmark← Previous edit | Revision as of 14:15, 31 October 2002 edit undoDerek Ross (talk | contribs)Administrators20,228 editsm spNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| Although the roots of the word |
Although the roots of the word '''knight''' are most likely connected to the German ''knecht'', or servant, the ideas of knighthood are arguably more closely tied to the Roman ''equites''. | ||
| During the ], the term |
During the ], the term ''knight'' referred to a mounted and ]ed ]. Originally, knights were warriors on horse-back, but the title became increasingly connected to ] and social status, most likely because of the cost of equipping oneself in the cavalry. Knighthood eventually became a formal title bestowed on those noblemen trained for active ] duty. | ||
| In theory, knighthood could be bestowed a man by any knight, but it was generally considered honorable to be dubbed knight by the hand of a ]. By about the late 13th century, partly in conjunction with the focus on courtly behavior, a code of conduct and uniformity of dress for knights began to evolve. Knights were |
In theory, knighthood could be bestowed on a man by any knight, but it was generally considered honorable to be dubbed knight by the hand of a ]. By about the late 13th century, partly in conjunction with the focus on courtly behavior, a code of conduct and uniformity of dress for knights began to evolve. Knights were eligible to wear a white ] and golden ]s as signs of their status. Moreover, knights were also often required to swear allegiance to a liege lord. | ||
| A knight was to follow a strict set of rules of conduct. Theese were the knightly virtues. (Original knights had few of these qualities. When the church deemed knights too bloodthirsty and unruly, they intervened and began stressing the importance of virtues until the church became an integrated part of knighthood and chivalry.) The virtues included: | A knight was to follow a strict set of rules of conduct. Theese were the knightly virtues. (Original knights had few of these qualities. When the church deemed knights too bloodthirsty and unruly, they intervened and began stressing the importance of virtues until the church became an integrated part of knighthood and chivalry.) The virtues included: | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
| * Utmost graciousness and courtesy to ladies | * Utmost graciousness and courtesy to ladies | ||
| These virtues became more idealized as time went on. Changes in |
These virtues became more idealized as time went on. Changes in military tactics, such as the successful use of the longbow against the French cavalry in the battles of ] and ] lessened the importance of the cavalry. (However, the true end of the knight was brought about by the use of gunpowder and guns.) In times of peace throughout the later Middle Ages and as late as the end of the 16th century, the role of the knight was promoted and extolled through highly stylized tournaments that bore little resemblance to the bloody warfare in which the "typical knight" had once participated. (Early tournaments were actually very similar to war. They originally included many participants battling each other at once in a chaotic mock war, though they later evolved to the popular, one-on-one jousting we all know.) | ||
| When even the tournaments went out of fashion, knighthood became less and less tied to warfare, and increasingly indicated social status. | When even the tournaments went out of fashion, knighthood became less and less tied to warfare, and increasingly indicated social status. | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
| * ] and some ] countries. | * ] and some ] countries. | ||
| * |
* The ]. The ] equivalent word is <em>ridder</em>, e.g., in <em>Ridder in de Orde van Oranje–Nassau</em> | ||
| * ] - ''Dannebrogordenen'' (Order of Dannebrog) | * ] - ''Dannebrogordenen'' (Order of Dannebrog) | ||
Revision as of 14:15, 31 October 2002
Although the roots of the word knight are most likely connected to the German knecht, or servant, the ideas of knighthood are arguably more closely tied to the Roman equites.
During the middle ages, the term knight referred to a mounted and armoured soldier. Originally, knights were warriors on horse-back, but the title became increasingly connected to nobility and social status, most likely because of the cost of equipping oneself in the cavalry. Knighthood eventually became a formal title bestowed on those noblemen trained for active war duty.
In theory, knighthood could be bestowed on a man by any knight, but it was generally considered honorable to be dubbed knight by the hand of a monarch. By about the late 13th century, partly in conjunction with the focus on courtly behavior, a code of conduct and uniformity of dress for knights began to evolve. Knights were eligible to wear a white belt and golden spurs as signs of their status. Moreover, knights were also often required to swear allegiance to a liege lord.
A knight was to follow a strict set of rules of conduct. Theese were the knightly virtues. (Original knights had few of these qualities. When the church deemed knights too bloodthirsty and unruly, they intervened and began stressing the importance of virtues until the church became an integrated part of knighthood and chivalry.) The virtues included:
- Mercy (Towards the poor and oppressed. They were supposed to be harsh with evil-doers.)
- Humility
- Honor
- Sacrifice
- Fear of God
- Faithfullness
- Courage
- Utmost graciousness and courtesy to ladies
These virtues became more idealized as time went on. Changes in military tactics, such as the successful use of the longbow against the French cavalry in the battles of Crécy and Agincourt lessened the importance of the cavalry. (However, the true end of the knight was brought about by the use of gunpowder and guns.) In times of peace throughout the later Middle Ages and as late as the end of the 16th century, the role of the knight was promoted and extolled through highly stylized tournaments that bore little resemblance to the bloody warfare in which the "typical knight" had once participated. (Early tournaments were actually very similar to war. They originally included many participants battling each other at once in a chaotic mock war, though they later evolved to the popular, one-on-one jousting we all know.)
When even the tournaments went out of fashion, knighthood became less and less tied to warfare, and increasingly indicated social status.
Knighthoods are still issued in:
- Great Britain and some Commonwealth countries.
- The Netherlands. The Dutch equivalent word is ridder, e.g., in Ridder in de Orde van Oranje–Nassau
- Denmark - Dannebrogordenen (Order of Dannebrog)
Presumably there are other monarchies that also follow the practice. Modern knighthoods are typically awarded in recognition for services rendered to society, services which are no longer necessarily martial in nature. The musician Elton John, for example, is entitled to call himself Sir Elton. The female equivalent is a Dame.
See also cavalry, crusade, knight (chess), British honours system, chivalry.