In battle the medieval knight was the equivalent of the modern armoured tank. Covered in multiple layers of armour, he could plough his way through ranks of foot soldiers standing in his way, and on his massive warhorse with fellow knights thundering beside him, the cavalry charge was devastating, terrifying and unstoppable. A knight was not only a fighting machine, however, he was also the lynchpin of the feudal system, and the emotional and spiritual centre of the code of chivalry, and thus the knight's influence and power stretched far beyond the battlefield, the caste walls or the tournament lists.
This fascinating book offers a unique insight into every element of the knight's life against the backdrop of a violent and turbulent world, in which war and battle were not only part of the political process, but also inspired the entertainment extravaganza of the tournament. The first section of the book gives detailed information on the way the order of the knight began, examining the rigorous training that noble-born sons went through to achieve knighthood and the obligations and rewards expected and received. The material life of the knight is closely analysed, how his wealth and income was dependent not only on the plunder and ransoms won during war, but also on local power and marriage alliances. The intricate microcosm of the castle is also examined, as well as the knight's leisure time spent in the noble arts of hawking, jousting, hunting, music and feasting.
It was the code of chivalry that epitomised the glory of knighthood. Based on loyalty and bravery, it not only bound the knights together in a brotherhood of arms, it also defined the way they were expected to deal with their superiors and inferiors. Its moral basis and social rules were ambitious, and the second part of the book debates how the real warrior knights attempted to live up to its ideals. Special sections cover the most revered and honoured knights of the times, including the historical figures of Charlemagne, Richard the Lionheart, The Black Prince and William Wallace.
During the age of the knight, and since its demise, legend, romance, art and literature has been inspired by the history and mythology of these mounted warriors and there are features covering the stories of King Arthur and his knights, medieval poetry and the courtly romances, legends of the Crusader knights, and folktales of rogue, errant and ghost knights, their quests and rescued damsels.
This is the perfect reference book for all students of medieval history: the world of the knights is brought to life and placed in context with an expert, deeply-researched and accessible text and over 500 fine art images that richly illustrate the castles, quests, battles, literature, loves, tournaments, courts, honours and triumphs of these mounted nobleman warriors.
