IronBear
Posts: 9008
Joined: 6/19/2005 From: Beenleigh, Qld, Australia Status: offline
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Traditionally a Knight was a man of honour, integrity, loyalty, duty, and courage. He would die for his honour, to fail his duty was unacceptable and death was preferable. His courage was expected to be exemplary. This is my friends, is the romantic notion of the Knight in shining armour. He couldn’t resist the chance to rescue a maiden in danger, or defend her honour. Let’s flesh this out a tad shall we? A knight spent his early days as a squire to a neighbouring knight. He learned all the dirty duties and hard work, which his service entailed. He also learned and was trained in arms from an early age. If he proved that he has what was acceptable to be considered for knighthood he may be chosen. Often his master or father would give him a gift of a horse, arms and armour on his knighting. In the 12thC the common armour was chain (it is incorrect to call it chain mail) or a coat of mail (same thing as chain). During long wars like the crusades, his armour was battered and chopped about and oft irreparable. He would search or have his squire search the battlefield for pieces of armour to replace his own which is why the armour was a mix and match. Why, you may ask, didn’t he have new armour made? The cost of a horse, arms and armour was roughly two years wages for him. The comment of shining armour dates to aprox the late 13thC and certainly the 14thC when plate armour was used. That’s the shiny steal armour you see in the movies used in jousting for which a crane was used to hoist the lad in his tin suit on his horseback. Now about the laddie himself. Even the most rustic knight was not stupid. He was a well-trained warrior who could assess his opposition and odds in any given potential fight. He didn’t just gallop of at high speed to save some female who was having a loud vocal hissy fit with her parents or a domestic with hubby, he had both the sense and chivalry to keep out unless he could help all parties settle their differences. In fact I’d wager he probably had to be blood sure of his facts before he waded in to rescue the damsel in distress. Modern day rescue missions tend to work on similar lines. IB
< Message edited by IronBear -- 8/31/2006 1:05:49 AM >
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Iron Bear Master of Bruin Cottage http://www.bruincottage.org Your attitude, words & actions are yours. Take responsibility for them and the consequences they incur. D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F.
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