This document provides an overview of knights in the 14th century. It discusses how knights followed a code of chivalry and were mainly mounted warriors during the Hundred Years' War. It describes the training process for knighthood, typical weapons and armor used, and different types of military orders that emerged during the Crusades which were later replaced by chivalric orders in the 14th-15th centuries. Finally, it notes how knights and ideals of knighthood were popular in medieval and Renaissance literature.

1. The Knight and the 14th-Century
Christian Warrior
Jacob Seeloff
Jovany Mondragon

2. KNIGHTS
Knights are members
of the warrior class
of the Middle Ages
in Europe who
followed a code
called “chivalry.”
In the Hundred
Years’ War, knights
were mainly mounted
warriors in heavy
cavalry.

3. KNIGHTS CONT.
The first military orders of knighthood were the Knights Hospitalier founded
at the First Crusade of 1099, followed by the Knights Templar in 1119.
When they were founded, these knights would mostly just protect
pilgrims, but as the Crusades went on, these orders became more powerful.

4. LIFE OF A KNIGHT
The training for knighthood usually began at a very early age. Normally, the
potential knight would be sent to live with a relative or lord who had the
resources to train the young boy in fighting and how to ride a horse.
A knight-in-training would often start off as an assistant for an established
knight.
Once his training was completed and he reached 16-20 years old, he would
become a full-fledged knight.

5. WEAPONS OF A KNIGHT
The sword was a
standard and very
effective weapon
for the knights.
Lances were often
used from
horseback.
Other weapons
used were the axe,
mace, and war
hammer.

6. A KNIGHT’S ARMOR
One of the earliest metallic armor to be
worn by knights was chainmail. It
consisted of thousands of interlocking
rings woven by hand to form shirts,
coifs, or leggings.
Underneath the metal armor, the knight
would wear a padded garment.
He would also carry a shield and wear a
helmet for protection.

7. A KNIGHT’S ARMOR CONT.
As more advanced
weapons and armor
were made, chainmail
armor became
ineffective. It was
replaced by plate
armor.
Plate armor was first
used to reinforce vital
areas such as the chest
and shoulders until it
was made into a
complete suit.

8. TYPES OF KNIGHTHOOD
Military and monastic orders of knighthood were most commonly seen during
the Crusades with orders such as the Knights Hospitalier, the Knights
Templar, and the Teutonic Knights.
After the Crusades, the military orders became romanticized. They were
replaced by chivalric orders in 14 th and 15th Centuries. The creation of these
orders were fashionable for lords and nobles. Edward III of England created
the Order of the Garter in 1348, and Louis XI of France created the Order of
Saint Michael in 1469.

9. KNIGHTS IN LITERATURE
Knights and the ideals of knighthood were popular in medieval and
Renaissance literature, securing a permanent place in romantic literature.
Notable portrayals of knighthood in literature include:
The Knight’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer.
Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory and many other Athurian tales.

10. WORKS CITED
http://www.heraldica.org/topics/orders/ordhist.htm
http://www.knightsandarmor.com/index.htm