To Become A Knight
by J.C. Pinkerton

Have you ever wondered what it was like to become a knight? Find out how a young lad went from boy to manhood. Apprenticeship: In order to become a knight, a boy must be born into a Nobel family. By the age of 7 he would begin his training as a pageboy and move into a knight's castle. As a pageboy he would be taught the ways of proper conduct and how to serve a table. He would perform duties around the castle and learn how to hold a shield properly. Between the ages of 9-13 he was considered a "valet," and now he could take on greater skills such as riding a war-horse. At age 14 he could begin to serve as a "squire." A squire served as a special servant to a knight. Although he still served the table he could now go into battle with his knight and learn the ways of the sword and lance. If his knight was wounded in battle the squire was responsible for tending to his wounds. By the age of 21, a squire was ready to become a knight. On the night before the great ceremony, the squire would soak in a hot bath full of soap and herbal perfumes. He then would dress in his very best garments and confess his sins so that he could be pure for the ritual of knighthood. At the ceremony, the knight kneeled before the king and was dubbed (christened) by placing a sword to each shoulder. The king then pronounced him a knight and from that day forward he was declared "Sir." Knighthood: There were different classes of soldiers, some were known as the foot soldiers but the king's knights were known as the czars of the battlefield. In other words, knights ruled. In the earliest part of the Middle Ages, kings had little influence so the finest knights dominated the land. Many simple men or ailing men unable to fight had to put themselves under the refuge of the knighthood. The knights worked in alliance with their king but "Sir Knight" was always allowed to do as he pleased for not one man or woman in the whole kingdom would ever dare to stand up against a knight. ©1999 jcpinkerton About the Author: jangeo Pinkerton is a husband and wife team with published articles, short stories and the Templar Knight novel series. Their work has been seen in newspapers, newsletters, magazines online and print and one of their short stories was published in Chicken Soup For The Nurses Soul. Born with a love for books, and writing at an early age, this husband and wife have combined their talents to write as a team. They are constantly researching ancient and American history, children’s literature and their remarkable family history, which includes Robert-the-Bruce, The Lady Mary Bruce and the Pinkerton's of the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Jan attended a community college, a private women's college and graduated nursing school. Geo operates his own contractors business in their Virginia mountain community. jangeo Pinkerton is a proud member of the Clan Colville Society, and the Clan Bruce International Society. Visit the author’s website at: authorsden.com/jangeopinkerton angelfire.com/zine2/pinkerton Contact Author: jangeo@planetcomm.net Click to return to Home Page!