What exactly were knights in medieval Europe? What's the difference between a knight and a cavalry?

Knight is a unique cultural trait in Europe, but he is either a soldier on a white horse or a "knight". Have you ever wondered why the Eastern Guards are called by Europeans?

"Cavalry", while Europeans call themselves "knights"? Is the knight a national costume? What are the characteristics of chivalry in the Middle Ages?

First, the basic concept of knight

The title of knight has always been loud and clear. This is because many European medieval epics and modern novels are based on knights. One of the most famous is Don Quixote by Cervantes. We often hear the name knight, but we don't know what kind of name knight is. Is it true that soldiers riding horses in the Middle Ages were knights? Can European soldiers riding horses be called "knights" today?

On the surface, knights are just European medieval soldiers left in people's memory. But in fact, there were thousands of European feudal manor owners and military nobles living at that time, and some of them often called themselves knights. The complexity of chivalry is also reflected in its extension from the institutional level to the spiritual level. "Chivalry", as a special product of the Middle Ages in Europe, is still reflected in people's daily life, such as respecting women's gentlemanly manners and stressing the style of honor.

London gentlemen's games

Second, the growth and cultivation of knights

If you want to be a knight, you must first go through repeated training. Knights are not born with the qualifications and morality of knights. In medieval Europe, secular nobles hoped that they could get married and have children, and chose male heirs to bear their wealth and titles.

One of the great events after the birth of those knight babies who enjoy natural preferential treatment is baptism. Baptism is usually held in a church, presided over by the most prestigious bishop in the parish. Medieval "Little Knights" were happy to train their physical fitness by playing cricket, shuttlecock, seesaw and stilts. Parents will also pay attention to cultivating their children's cultural literacy, such as hymns, Latin, chess, dice and other more elegant courses, which are also widely accepted.

Happy medieval family

However, there are also some "little knights" in poor circumstances. The epic Song of Roland tells us such a story. After Roland's mother was exiled to Hungary, she could not train her children in the traditional way. "She can only bathe Roland in the river with cold river water. The baby eats and drinks fruit in the mountains and preys in the forest."

. Roland cultivated indomitable chivalry in this extremely sinister atmosphere, and eventually became an iron man to avenge his mother.

/kloc-Young people between the ages of 0/4 and the official knighthood are called "squires". They often stay away from their hometown in their youth, live in aristocratic homes more powerful than their parents, and continue to learn various military skills and elegant lifestyles. Although it will cost a lot of money to collect retinue, retinue is not a pure "consumer" of the main family. Every morning, the attendants get up early and go to the stable to look after the master's horses. In the course of daily dining, the host will stand behind each nobleman and woman and perform "auxiliary ceremony" to help pass vegetables, cut meat and pour wine at any time.

The king's hunting map: accompanied by the knight's entourage

The military training that the followers received in the Lord's House was also very strict. Before combat training, they usually polish weapons, shields and armor for the old knights, and lead horses for them beside them. Once the enemy appears, the followers should choose and hand over the corresponding weapons for the knight according to the danger and practicability of the battle.

An attendant who has received a sword-awarding ceremony can be officially recognized as a knight. /kloc-the basic rules of the sword awarding ceremony were determined in the 0/2 century. On the anniversaries of important religious festivals or major events, believers who have practiced often receive knighthood from feudal lords or senior clergy in castles, churches or palaces. These canonization behaviors usually include mass, prayer and other religious activities. The knight who is ready to be sealed should take a bath the night before to show solemnity and caution. When conferring a knighthood, the sword giver usually beats the knight on the shoulder with a beautiful sword. This means that the knight's body is strong enough, his will is firm enough and his spirit is strong enough.

Sacred knight ceremony

Third, the daily life of knights and the concept of respecting women.

The romance of being a knight is that the daily life of a knight is different from that of a boring farmer, and it is full of opportunities and challenges everywhere. Knights do not need to engage in crude agricultural production, but often ambush animals in the forest with falcons and hounds; Or take part in a thrilling duel competition and win honor in the collision of swords; Or stop at hotels and castles in Malaysia and offer a nostalgic look to your beloved lady.

The knight said goodbye to his beloved woman before going out to war.

The ideal of respecting women and pursuing pure love in medieval European knight code continued into modern society, and the so-called "gentlemanly demeanor" came into being. Looking around the world, if women are most respected, it is Europe. In the Eastern Middle Ages, women were always regarded as "accessories" of men. The rise of feminism, affirmative action and social movements in Europe in modern times is related to the remains of this "chivalry".

Four, the responsibility and obligation of the knight

The church and feudal lords in medieval Europe were the two most powerful forces. Because the church does not advocate "sword fighting" in the world, the military behavior of knights was initially resisted by monasteries and churches. In our impression, knights are more like professional soldiers who are active on the battlefield, but their military life is only a part of their life as "natural persons".

Anyone who gets a fief from a Lord because of his knighthood must perform military service for the fief. Usually, military service for the Lord should be no less than 40 days a year, but in wartime, the service time may be longer (the Lord pays cash or food as a subsidy). As a vassal knight, in addition to fighting on the battlefield, he is usually responsible for the safety of castles and manors.

In peacetime, feudal lords with more knights will hold a regional competition. Knights belonging to different lords gathered in the manor. They usually fight with blunt spears and sometimes ride horses. In the process of colliding with each other, the other party falls to the ground because of the collision, and you can become the winner in the challenge.