European Knights 700-1000 AD

Hey everyone, I have learned a lot in Europe and wondered about more things than before I even came here.

I’m super sad because this is my last blog in Europe and I’m leaving in a few days. So for my last blog I want it to be something that is hopefully really interesting for you and me. The last thing I’m going to blog about is, KNIGHTS!!! For this blog i’m not going to interview people or anything like that, instead i’m going to tell you about them. I have learned a lot about knights when I have been in Europe

So I’m going to actually tell you some things about knights. First I might as well tell you what a knight is. There are three main soldiers: foot soldiers, archers, and knights.a knight is a heavily armored soldier who rode on horseback. Only the wealthiest nobles could afford to be a knight, because a knight needs very expensive armor, weapons, and a powerful war horse. The first knight fought for Charlemagne, (I did a blog about him).

By the end of the Middle Ages, the knight was no longer an important part of the army. This was for two main reasons. One reason was that many countries had formed their own standing armies. They paid soldiers to train and fight. They no longer needed lords to come fight as knights. The other reason was a change in warfare. Battle tactics and new weapons such as longbows and firearms made the heavy armor the knights wore cumbersome and useless. This made it much easier to harm a soldier and pay for a standing army.

These are just some facts about knights in the middle ages:

• By the end of the Middle Ages, many knights paid the king money instead of fighting. Then the king would use that money to pay soldiers to fight. This payment was called shield money.

• The word "knight" comes from an Old English word meaning "servant".

• The knights of religious orders often made a pledge to God of poverty and chastity.

• Today, knighthoods are awarded by kings and queens to people for their achievements. It is considered an honor.

• The code of Chivalry...very important

Again this is my last European blog so I hope you enjoyed it and learned from it. Go check out my other blogs about the food in Europe, Charlemagne, and viking invasions.

#Europe #Knights #7001000AD