There are few things in the world more interesting than the knightly castles of the Middle Ages: these majestic fortresses breathe evidence of distant eras with grandiose battles, they saw both the most perfect nobility and the meanest betrayal. And not only historians and military experts are trying to unravel the secrets of ancient fortifications. The knight's castle is interesting for everyone - a writer and a layman, an avid tourist and a simple housewife. This is, so to speak, a mass artistic image.
How the idea was born
A very turbulent time - in addition to big wars, the feudal lords constantly fought with each other. In a neighborly way, so as not to be bored. Aristocrats fortified their dwellings from invasion: at first they would only dig a moat in front of the entrance and put up a wooden palisade. With the acquisition of siege experience, the fortifications became more and more powerful - so that the ram could withstand and not be afraid of stone cores. In antiquity, this is how the Romans surrounded the army with a palisade on vacation. Stone structures began to be built by the Normans, and only in the 12th century did classical European knightly castles of the Middle Ages appear.
Transformation into a fortress
Gradually, the castle turned into a fortress, it was surrounded by a stone wall, into which high towers were built. The main goal is to make the knight's castle inaccessible to attackers. At the same time to be able to monitor the entire district. The castle must have its own source of drinking water - suddenly a long siege is ahead.
The towers were built in such a way as to hold any number of enemies for as long as possible, even alone. For example, they are narrow and so steep that a warrior walking second cannot help the first in any way - neither with a sword nor with a spear. And it was necessary to climb them counterclockwise, so as not to hide behind the shield.
Try to login!
Imagine a mountain slope on which a knight's castle has been erected. Photo attached. Such structures were always built at a height, and if there was no natural suitable landscape, they made an artificial hill.
The knight's castle in the Middle Ages is not only knights and feudal lords. Near and around the castle there were always small settlements, where all kinds of artisans settled and, of course, warriors guarding the perimeter.
Those who walk along the road always turn their right side to the fortress, the one that cannot be covered by a shield. There is no high vegetation - no hiding. The first obstacle is the moat. It can be around the castle or across between the castle wall and the plateau, even crescent-shaped if the terrain allows.
There are dividing ditches even within the castle: if suddenly the enemy managed to break through, movement will be very difficult. If the soil rocks are rocky - a moat is not needed, digging under the wall is impossible. The earthen rampart right in front of the moat was often with a palisade.
The bridge to the outer wall is made in such a way that the defense of the knight's castle in the Middle Ages could last for years. He's uplifting. Either the whole or its extreme segment. In the raised position - vertically - this is an additional protection for the gate. If a part of the bridge was raised, the other part automatically fell into the moat, where a "wolf pit" was arranged - a surprise for the most hasty attackers. The knight's castle in the Middle Ages was not hospitable to everyone.
Gate and gate tower
Knight's castles of the Middle Ages were most vulnerable just in the gate area. Latecomers could enter the castle through the side gate on the lifting ladder, if the bridge was already raised. The gates themselves were most often not built into the wall, but were arranged in gate towers. Usually double-leaf, from several layers of boards, sheathed with iron to protect against arson.
Locks, bolts, transverse beams sliding across the opposite wall - all this helped to hold out in the siege for quite a long time. Behind the gate, in addition, a powerful iron or wooden grate usually fell. This is how the knightly castles of the Middle Ages were equipped!
The gate tower was arranged so that the guards guarding it could find out from the guests the purpose of the visit and, if necessary, treat them with an arrow from a vertical loophole. For a real siege, holes for boiling resin were also built in.
Defense of a knight's castle in the Middle Ages
The most important defensive element. It should be high, thick and better if on a plinth at an angle. The foundation under it is as deep as possible - in case of a digging.
Sometimes there is a double wall. Next to the first high - the inner one is small, but impregnable without devices (ladders and poles that were left outside). The space between the walls - the so-called zwinger - is shot through.
The outer wall at the top is equipped for the defenders of the fortress, sometimes even with a canopy from the weather. The teeth on it existed not only for beauty - it was convenient to hide behind them to their full height in order to reload, for example, a crossbow.
The loopholes in the wall were adapted for both archers and crossbowmen: narrow and long - for a bow, with an extension - for a crossbow. Ball loopholes - a fixed but rotating ball with a slot for shooting. Balconies were built mainly decorative, but if the wall is narrow, then they were used, retreating and letting the others pass.
Medieval knight towers were almost always built with domed towers at the corners. They came out to shoot along the walls in both directions. The inner side was open so that the enemy who penetrated the walls would not gain a foothold inside the tower.
What's inside?
In addition to zwingers, other surprises could be expected outside the gates of uninvited guests. For example, a small enclosed courtyard with loopholes in the walls. Sometimes castles were built from several autonomous sections with strong internal walls.
There was certainly a courtyard with a household inside the castle - a well, a bakery, a bathhouse, a kitchen and a donjon - the central tower. Much depended on the location of the well: not only the health, but also the life of the besieged. It happened that (remember that the castle, if not just on a hill, then on the rocks) was more expensive than all the other buildings of the castle. The Thuringian castle Kuffhäuser, for example, has a well over one hundred and forty meters deep. In rock!
central tower
The donjon is the tallest building in the castle. From there, the surroundings were monitored. And it is the central tower - the last refuge of the besieged. The most reliable! The walls are very thick. The entrance is extremely narrow and located at a great height. The stairs leading to the door could be pulled in or destroyed. Then the knight's castle can keep the siege for quite a long time.
At the base of the donjon there was a cellar, a kitchen, a pantry. Next came the floors with stone or wooden ceilings. The stairs were wooden, with stone ceilings they could be burned to stop the enemy on the way.
The main hall was located on the whole floor. Heated by a fireplace. Above were usually the rooms of the family of the owner of the castle. There were small stoves decorated with tiles.
At the very top of the tower, most often open, there is a platform for a catapult and, most importantly, a banner! Medieval knightly castles were distinguished not only by chivalry. There were cases when the knight and his family did not use the donjon for housing, having built a stone palace (palace) not far from it. Then the donjon served as a warehouse, even a prison.
And, of course, every knight's castle necessarily had a temple. The obligatory inhabitant of the castle is the chaplain. Often he is both a clerk and a teacher, in addition to his main job. In rich castles, temples were two-story, so that the gentlemen would not pray next to the mob. The family tomb of the owner was also equipped within the temple.
The position of the defenders of the besieged castle was far from hopeless. There were many ways in which they could push back the attackers. Most castles were located in hard-to-reach places and were designed to withstand a long siege. They were built on top of a steep hill or surrounded by a moat or trench. The castle always had an impressive supply of weapons, water and food, and the guards knew how to defend themselves. However, in order to survive the siege, a born leader was needed, versed in the art of war, defensive tactics and military cunning.
The battlemented parapet Guards continuously watched the surroundings from behind the battlements, behind which a path ran over the walls of the castle. Means of Defense If the defenders knew in advance about the approach of the attackers, they prepared to defend themselves, stocking up on provisions and providing shelter to the surrounding residents. Villages and fields around were often burned so that the besiegers would not get anything. The locks were designed according to the highest technical standards of those times. Wooden castles caught fire easily, so they were built of stone. Stone walls withstood siege shells, and ditches prevented enemy attempts to dig a tunnel into the fortress. Wooden paths were made on top of the walls - from them the defenders threw stones at the attackers. Later they were replaced by stone battlements. The spread of cannons brought about radical changes in the construction of castles and in the methods of warfare. Loopholes The defenders could safely shoot at the enemy from the slits and because of the jagged para-pet on the walls of the castle. For the convenience of archers and musketeers, the loopholes expanded inwards. It also made it possible to increase the sector of fire. But it was difficult for the enemy to get into a narrow loophole, although there were well-aimed arrows who were specially prepared for this purpose.
Loopholes There were different types of loopholes: straight, in the form of a cross and even a key. All for the sake of protection 1 The weak point of any castle was the gate. First, the enemy had to pass the drawbridge, and then the gate and portcullis. But even here, the defenders had a few surprises in store. 2 Holes in the wooden floor allowed the defenders to throw stones down on the heads of the besiegers, pour hot sand on them and pour slaked lime, boiling water or oil. 3 The defenders dug a defensive tunnel. 4 Arrows and other projectiles bounced off rounded walls better. 5 Crenellated parapet. 6 The attackers were often wounded by stones bouncing off the walls. 7 They shot at the enemy from loopholes. 8 The soldiers defending the castle repelled the ladders of the attackers with long poles. 9 The defenders tried to neutralize the battering ram by lowering mattresses on the ropes or trying to catch the end of the battering ram with a hook and pull it up. 10 Extinguishing the fire within the castle walls.
At the end of the ninth century in Europe, the construction of feudal castles begins. They were erected not only by wealthy lords, but also by middle-class feudal lords. The mass construction of castles was predetermined by the constant incursions of enemies.
Usually the castle was built on a hill or on a high bank, from where the approaches to it were clearly visible. At first it was a very simple structure: a wooden two-story tower, which was called donjon . The feudal lord himself lived on the top floor with his family. A military squad and servants lived downstairs, as well as utility rooms, a kitchen, a barn with food and an armory. In the event of a siege, the wooden tower was sheathed from the outside with animal skins in order to protect it from fire.
A rampart was built around the castle, and it was reinforced with a palisade with wooden towers. In front of the rampart was a deep ditch filled with water. A bridge was thrown across the ditch on chains, which led to one of the palisade towers with heavy oak gates, bound with iron. In the event of a threat, the bridge was raised, and it was almost impossible to get into the castle. A few steps from the gate towards courtyard there were lift bars. Even if someone managed to slip through the gate, the bars would fall, and people would be trapped.
 |
| Fortress Nove Hrady in the Czech Republic. 13th century Modern photo |
In the XI century. castles began to be built of stone and further strengthened. Two or even three rows of high and powerful walls with corner towers were erected around the castle. Loopholes were made in the walls - narrow holes for archery. The wooden donjon was replaced with a stone one. Its dark, cold and damp dungeons were used not only for household needs, but also as a prison for criminals, prisoners and convicts. In the courtyard of the castle there were also stables for war horses and stalls for cattle. Water was taken from a well dug in the same place. Under the walls of the castle, ordinary people settled in order, if necessary, to find refuge from the enemy in it.
 |
| Castle siege. Miniature. XIV Art. |
A well-fortified castle, with enough supplies and drinking water, could easily withstand a long siege. To storm castles, siege mechanisms were used - rams and mobile towers. Often, a secret passage was laid in the dungeon of the donjon, which led outside the castle. So the feudal lord could send a messenger asking for help, or save himself if the lock was taken by storm.
However, the castle was not only a military fortification. It was also the residence of the lord, the place of his permanent residence. Therefore, over the centuries, castles have become more and more comfortable and cozy. They turned into a complex of buildings: a reception hall, the matrimonial bedroom of the feudal lords, rooms for various purposes, kitchens, cellars and food storage, a chapel, etc. But the donjon has always been an object of special concern. He towered against the background of buildings and landscape, demonstrating the strength and power of the lord. He was depicted on the emblems, vaults of the castle or chapel, on the flags and seals of the feudal lord.
 |
| Siege mechanism - petraria. 1240 |
In the castle, in addition to the seigneur's family, there were many servants and subordinates: the heirs of the vassals, who studied the art of war, knights, housekeepers, guards. material from the site
When there was no war, and the feudal lord was at home, he could hunt, fish, fence, fight with spears, play chess, watch jugglers or bears fight in his possessions, receive guests, communicate with ladies, arrange solemn meetings vassals, etc. However, this did not always keep the feudal lords at home. At the first opportunity, they went to the court of the king or on distant wanderings. But they did not forget their land and proudly added the name of the castle to their name.
X 3rd century Chronicler Lambert d'Ardu on the construction and arrangement of a stone keep
Baudouin, Count of Guinness, built a round house of hewn stone at Guinness on a hill. He was so tall, as if resting on the sky. Baudouin envisaged that the upper part would be like a flat terrace with a roof on the rafters ... In this house he had rooms for ceremonial receptions, living rooms, rooms for solitude, corridors that made the house look like a labyrinth of Daedalus. Further outside the house, he built a chapel with stone walls and wooden rafters. He also built a stone wall along the outer defensive belt of the castle. At the entrance, he built towers with throwing devices to repel attacks.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Use the search
The castles of the feudal lords still attract admiring glances. It is hard to believe that life flowed in these sometimes fabulous buildings: people organized life, raised children, and took care of their subjects. Many castles of the feudal lords of the Middle Ages are protected by the states in which they are located, because their arrangement and architecture are unique. However, all these structures have a number of common features, because their functions were the same and proceeded from the lifestyle and state essence of the feudal lord.
Feudal lords: who are they
Before talking about how the castle of the feudal lord looked like, let's consider what kind of class it was in medieval society. European states were then monarchies, but the king, standing at the pinnacle of power, decided little. Power was concentrated in the hands of the so-called lords - they were the feudal lords. Moreover, within this system there also existed a hierarchy, the so-called Knights stood on its lower tier. The feudal lords who were one step higher were called vassals, and the vassal-seignor relationship was preserved exclusively for the nearby levels of the ladder.
Each seigneur had his own territory, on which the feudal lord's castle was located, a description of which we will definitely give below. Subordinates (vassals) and peasants also lived here. Thus, it was a kind of state within a state. That is why a situation called feudal fragmentation developed, which greatly weakened the country.
Relations between the feudal lords were not always good-neighborly, there were frequent cases of enmity between them, attempts to conquer territories. The possession of the feudal lord had to be well fortified and protected from attack. We will consider its functions in the next part.
The main functions of the castle
The very definition of "castle" implies an architectural structure that combines economic and defensive tasks.
Based on this, the feudal lord's castle performed the following functions:
1. Military. The construction was not only supposed to protect the inhabitants (the owner himself and his family), but also servants, colleagues, vassals. In addition, it was here that the headquarters of military operations was stationed.
2. Administrative. The castles of the feudal lords were a kind of centers from where the administration of the lands was carried out.
3. Political. State issues were also resolved in the lord's possessions, from here instructions were given to local managers.
4. Cultural. The atmosphere reigning in the castle allowed the subjects to get an idea of the latest fashion trends - be it clothing, art trends or music. In this matter, vassals have always been guided by their lord.
5. Household. The castle was a center for peasants and artisans. This applied to both administrative issues and trade.
It would be wrong to compare the castle of the feudal lord, the description of which will be given in this article, and the fortress. There are fundamental differences between them. Fortresses were called upon to protect not only the owner of the territory, but also all residents without exception, while the castle was a fortification exclusively for the feudal lord living in it, his family and the closest vassals.
A fortress is a fortification of a piece of land, and a castle is a protective structure with a developed infrastructure, where each element performs a specific function.
Prototypes of feudal castles
The first buildings of this kind appeared in Assyria, then this tradition was adopted by Ancient Rome. Well, after the feudal lords of Europe - mainly Great Britain, France and Spain - they begin building their castles. Often one could see such buildings in Palestine, because then, in the XII century, the Crusades were in full swing, respectively, the conquered lands had to be held and protected through the construction of special structures.
The trend of castle building disappears along with feudal fragmentation, when European states become centralized. Indeed, now it was possible not to be afraid of attacks by a neighbor who encroached on someone else's property.
Special, protective, functionality is gradually giving way to an aesthetic component.
External Description
Before dismantling the structural elements, let's imagine what the feudal lord's castle looked like in general. The first thing that caught your eye was a moat encircling the entire territory on which the monumental structure stood. Next was a wall with small turrets to repel the enemy.
Only one entrance led to the castle - a drawbridge, then - an iron grate. Towering above all other buildings main tower, or donjon. The necessary infrastructure was also located in the courtyard outside the gate: workshops, a forge and a mill.
It should be said that the place for the building was chosen carefully, it had to be a hill, a hill or a mountain. Well, if it was possible to choose a territory to which, at least on one side, a natural reservoir adjoined - a river or a lake. Many note how similar the nests of birds of prey and castles are (photo for an example below) - both of them were famous for their impregnability.
Hill for the castle
Let's look at the structural elements of the structure in more detail. The hill for the castle was a hill of regular shape. As a rule, the surface was square. The height of the hill averaged from five to ten meters, there were buildings even higher than this mark.
Particular attention was paid to the rock from which the bridgehead for the castle was made. As a rule, clay was used, peat, limestone rocks were also used. They took material from the ditch, which they dug around the hill for greater security.
Flooring on the slopes of the hill, made of brushwood or boards, was also popular. There was also a staircase here.
moat
In order to slow down the advance of a potential enemy for some time, as well as to make it difficult to transport siege weapons, a deep ditch with water was needed, encircling the hill on which the castles were located. The photo shows how this system functioned.
It was imperative to fill the moat with water - this guaranteed that the enemy would not dig into the castle grounds. Water was most often supplied from a natural reservoir located nearby. The ditch had to be regularly cleaned of debris, otherwise it would become shallow and could not fully fulfill its protective functions.
There were also cases when logs or stakes were mounted in the bottom, which interfered with the crossing. For the owner of the castle, his family, subjects and guests, a swing bridge was provided, which led directly to the gate.
Gates
In addition to its direct function, the gate performed a number of others. The castles of the feudal lords had a very protected entrance, which during the siege was not so easy to capture.
The gates were equipped with a special heavy grate, which looked like a wooden frame with thick iron bars. If necessary, she lowered herself to delay the enemy.
In addition to the guards standing at the entrance, on both sides of the gate on the fortress wall there were two towers for better view(the entrance area was the so-called “blind zone”. Not only sentries were stationed here, but also archers were on duty.
Perhaps the gate was the most vulnerable part of the gate - an urgent need for its protection arose in the dark, because the entrance to the castle was closed at night. Thus, it was possible to track everyone who visits the territory at "off-hours" hours.
Courtyard
Having passed the control of the guards at the entrance, the visitor entered the courtyard, where one could observe the real life in the castle of the feudal lord. Here were all the main ones and work was in full swing: warriors trained, blacksmiths forged weapons, artisans made the necessary household items, servants performed their duties. There was also a well with drinking water.
The area of the courtyard was not large, which made it possible to follow everything that was happening on the territory of the seigneur's property.
donjon
The element that always catches the eye when looking at the castle is the donjon. This is the most high tower, the heart of any feudal dwelling. It was located in the most inaccessible place, and the thickness of its walls was such that it was very difficult to destroy this structure. This tower provided the opportunity to observe the surroundings and served as a last refuge. When the enemies broke through all the lines of defense, the population of the castle took refuge in the donjon and withstood a long siege. At the same time, the donjon was not only a defensive structure: here, on the high level, lived the feudal lord and his family. Below are servants and warriors. Often there was a well inside this building.
The lowest floor is a huge hall where magnificent feasts were held. At the oak table, which was bursting with all sorts of dishes, the feudal lord's retinue and himself were seated.
The internal architecture is interesting: spiral staircases were hidden between the walls, along which it was possible to move between levels.
Moreover, each of the floors was independent of the previous and subsequent ones. This provided additional security.
The donjon kept stocks of weapons, food and drink in case of a siege. Products were kept on the highest floor so that the feudal family was provided for and did not starve.
And now let's consider another question: how comfortable were the castles of the feudal lords? Unfortunately, this quality has suffered. Analyzing the story about the castle of the feudal lord, heard from the lips of an eyewitness (a traveler who visited one of these places of interest), we can conclude that it was very cold there. No matter how hard the servants tried to heat the room, nothing worked, the halls were too huge. Also noted was the lack of a cozy hearth and the monotony of "chopped" rooms, as it were.
Wall
Almost the most important part of the castle, which was owned by a medieval feudal lord, was the fortress wall. It surrounded the hill on which the main building stood. Special requirements were put forward for the walls: an impressive height (so that the stairs for the siege were not enough) and strength, because not only human resources, but also special devices were often used for the assault. The average parameters of such structures are: 12 m in height and 3 m in thickness. Impressive, isn't it?
Crowned the wall in every corner observation towers, in which sentries and archers were on duty. There were also special places on the wall near the castle bridge so that the besieged could effectively repel the attack of the attackers.
In addition, along the entire perimeter of the wall, along its very top, there was a gallery for defense soldiers.
Life in a castle
How was life in medieval castle? The second person after the feudal lord was the manager, who kept records of the peasants and artisans subject to the owner, who worked on the territories of the estate. This person took into account how much production was produced and brought, what amounts the vassals paid for the use of the land. Often the manager worked in tandem with the clerk. Sometimes a separate room was provided for them on the territory of the castle.
The staff included direct servants helping the owner and hostess, there was also a cook with assistant cooks, a stoker - the person responsible for heating the room, a blacksmith and a saddler. The number of servants was directly proportional to the size of the castle and the status of the feudal lord.
The large room was hard enough to heat. Stone walls cooled down at night, in addition, they strongly absorbed moisture. Therefore, the rooms were always damp and cold. Of course, the stokers tried their best to keep warm, but this was not always possible. Particularly wealthy feudal lords could afford to decorate the walls with wood or carpets, tapestries. To keep as much heat as possible, the windows were made small.
For heating, limestone stoves were used, which were located in the kitchen, from where heat spread to nearby rooms. With the invention of pipes, it became possible to heat other rooms of the castle. Tiled stoves created special comfort for the feudal lords. A special material (baked clay) made it possible to heat large areas and retain heat better.
What did they eat in the castle?
The diet of the inhabitants of the castle is interesting. Here, social inequality was best seen. Most of the menu consisted of meat dishes. And it was selected beef and pork.
An equally important place on the table of the feudal lord was occupied by agricultural products: bread, wine, beer, porridge. The trend was as follows: the more noble the feudal lord, the lighter the bread on his table. It's no secret that it depends on the quality of the flour. The percentage of grain products was the maximum, and meat, fish, fruits, berries and vegetables were just a nice addition.
A special feature of cooking in the Middle Ages was the abundant use of spices. And here the nobility could afford something more than the peasantry. For example, African or Far Eastern spices, which cost (for a small capacity) were not inferior to cattle.
1. Castle of the feudal lord. Since the 8th century, many castles have been built in Europe to protect against the attacks of the Normans and Hungarians. Gradually, each gentleman tried to build a castle for himself: depending on the possibilities, huge or modest. The castle is the dwelling of the feudal lord and his fortress. Castle fortress.
1. Castle of the feudal lord. At first castles were built of wood, later of stone. Powerful walls with crenellated towers served as a reliable defense. The castle was often erected on a hill or a high rock, surrounded by a wide moat with water. Sometimes it was built on an island in the middle of a river or lake. A drawbridge was thrown over a moat or channel, and at night and during an enemy attack, it was raised on chains. From the tower above the gate, she constantly surveyed the surroundings of the guard and, noticing the enemy in the distance, blew the alarm. Then the soldiers hurried to take their places on the walls and in the towers. gate tower
1. Castle of the feudal lord. To get into the castle, it was necessary to overcome many obstacles. The enemies had to fill up the ditch, overcome the hill in the open space, approach the walls, climb them along the attached assault ladders, or smash the oak, iron-bound gates with a battering ram. On the heads of the enemies, the defenders of the castle threw stones and logs, poured boiling water and hot pitch, threw spears, showered them with arrows. Often the attackers had to storm a second, even higher wall. Castle Defense
1. Castle of the feudal lord. Above all the buildings towered the main tower of the donjon. In it, the feudal lord with his warriors and servants could withstand a long siege if other fortifications were already captured. Inside the tower, halls were located one above the other. In the basement, they made a well and stored food supplies. Nearby, prisoners languished in a damp and dark dungeon. From the basement they usually dug a secret underground passage, which led to a river or forest. donjon
1. Castle of the feudal lord. The only iron door leading to the tower was located high above the ground. If you managed to break it, then you had to fight for each floor. On ladders it was necessary to make their way through hatches, which were closed with heavy stone slabs. In case the tower was captured, a spiral staircase was made in the thickness of the wall; along it, the owner of the castle, together with his family and soldiers, could go down to the saving underground passage. Castle in Spain
2. Equipment of the knight. Warfare became the occupation almost exclusively of the feudal lords, and this was the case for many centuries. The feudal lord often fought all his life. The knight was armed with a great sword and a long spear; often he also used a battle ax and a club, a heavy club with a thickened metal end. With a large shield, a knight could cover himself from head to toe. Knight
2. Equipment of the knight. The body of the knight was protected by a chain mail shirt, woven from iron rings (sometimes in 23 layers) and reaching to the knees. Later, chain mail was replaced by armor made of steel plates. The knight put on a helmet on his head, and in a moment of danger he lowered a metal plate with slits for the eyes onto his face. The knights fought on strong, hardy horses, which were also protected by armor. The knight was accompanied by a squire and several armed warriors, mounted and on foot, a whole “combat unit.” squire Helmet Visor Chain mail Plate Shield Gaiter Knee pad Plate shoes Plate gloves
2. Equipment of the knight. The warhorse, knight's equipment and travelers' equipment were very expensive. Therefore, a landowner could carry out knightly service, who was provided with everything necessary by dependent peasants. The feudal lords prepared for military service from childhood. They constantly practiced fencing, horseback riding, wrestling, swimming and javelin throwing, learned the techniques and tactics of combat. Knight in full armor
3. Entertainment knights. Gentlemen rarely took care of household affairs themselves. To do this, they kept managers on each estate. The feudal lords devoted most of their time to wars and military exercises, hunting and feasts. The knight's favorite pastimes were hunting and tournaments, which were connected with military affairs. Hunting not only served as entertainment, but also helped replenish food supplies. During the hunt, one could show courage and dexterity: fighting an angry wild boar or a wounded bear was just as dangerous as with an enemy warrior, and chasing deer trained in riding. Hunting
3. Entertainment knights. TournamentsTournaments military competitions of knights in strength and dexterity were arranged by kings and noble feudal lords. A lot of spectators gathered there, sometimes from several countries. Noble gentlemen, judges and ladies sat in the stands, and the common people crowded behind a wooden barrier around the arena.
3. Entertainment knights. Special heralds, the heralds, announced the names and mottos of the knights entering the battle. Tournament participants, dressed in combat armor, dispersed to opposite ends of the arena. At the sign of the judge, they raced on horseback towards each other. With a blunt tournament spear, the knight tried to knock the enemy out of the saddle. Sometimes the competition ended in serious injuries or even death of the participants. The winner was rewarded with a horse and armor of the defeated opponent. Occasionally, a battle was played out between two knightly detachments, which lined up in a chain. Royal Heralds Squad Battle
3. Entertainment knights. Usually the tournament ended with a feast. And vice versa, solemn feasts on the occasion of victories, coronations, weddings and other important events for the nobility often included not only a feast and dances, but also tournament competitions. During such celebrations, knightings often took place, honors and awards were distributed. In the evenings, the inhabitants of the castle gathered in the common hall, where a huge fireplace burned, played dice and chess, drank wine and beer, and resolved their family affairs. The monotonous life was broken by the arrivals of guests and holidays. At the feasts in the castles, wine flowed like a river, tables broke under the weight of snacks. Animal carcasses were roasted whole in the hearths, on huge skewers. The inhabitants of the castles and their guests were amused by jesters and dwarfs, invited artists and, of course, poets from among the retinue. Musicians performance
4. “Shame and shame are not terrible for me.” Noble knights considered themselves “noble” people, were proud of the antiquity of their families and the number of famous ancestors. The knight had his own coat of arms - a distinctive sign of the family and a motto - a short saying that usually explained the meaning of the coat of arms. Full coat of arms and examples of coats of arms
4. “Shame and shame are not terrible for me.” The knights did not hesitate to rob the vanquished, their own peasants, and even those passing on the high roads. At the same time, the knight was supposed to despise prudence, frugality, but show generosity. The incomes received from the peasants and military booty were most often spent on gifts, feasts and treats for friends, hunting, expensive clothes, and on the maintenance of servants and soldiers.
4. “Shame and shame are not terrible for me.” Loyalty to the king and lord was considered another important quality of a knight. This was his main duty. And treason imposed a stigma on the whole family of a traitor. “Whoever cheats on his lord, he must rightfully suffer punishment,” it is said in one of the poems. In legends about knights, courage, prowess, contempt for death, nobility were sung.
4. “Shame and shame are not terrible for me.” This developed code (laws) of knightly honor also included other special rules: a knight must seek feats, fight enemies of the Christian faith, protect the honor of ladies, as well as the weak and offended, especially widows and orphans, be fair and gallant. But these rules of knightly honor were applied mainly in relations between feudal lords. All those who were considered "ignoble", the knights despised, behaved with them arrogantly and cruelly. However, in relations between "noble" people, the rules of knightly honor were not always respected. In everyday life, in the family, with vassals and equals, many feudal lords were rude, cruel and unrestrained, greedy and stingy, they could dishonor a woman. Worship of a beautiful lady
Raising a knight Usually, from the age of seven, the boy left his father's castle and served as a page at the court of a noble feudal lord. He performed various assignments for the lord and members of his family. At the age of 15, the young man became a knight's squire. In the castle, he looked after horses and hunting dogs, met guests, carried the armor of a knight on a campaign, and during the battle he was behind him in order to supply spare weapons at any time. Only after a long service or great feats were those who distinguished themselves knighted. During the holiday, the warrior knelt before the most noble of the guests, and he struck a blow with his palm on the back of the head or with a flat sword blade on the back or on the shoulder, the only blow in life that a knight could receive without repaying him. Then the knight put on spurs and girded himself with a sword. The ceremony ended with a display of the knight's dexterity: having jumped on his horse, he tried to pierce the target with a spear at full speed. But often, knighting also took place on the battlefield, for military prowess and loyalty. squire squire back
The instigator's trumpet sends an arrogant challenge, And the knight's trumpet sings in response, The glade echoes them and the firmament. The riders lowered the visor, And the shafts are attached to the shells; Here the horses raced, and, finally, the fighter came close to the fighter. Dryden, "Palamon and Arsita" By the voice one recognized the other. They met in the middle of the field. The one and the other puts spears into action, The enemy is struck in a patterned shield, He is pierced under a thick pommel They rip open the floors on chain mail, But both remain unharmed. The girths of their saddles burst. From their horses, the fighters fell sideways to the ground, But they immediately jumped to their feet deftly, Pulled out their damask swords, To continue the martial arts again, Only death will put an end to it. from the Song of Roland (XII century). Back About jousting tournament
Caesar of Heisterbach. Dialogue about miracles. 13th century A story about one of the German knights. “The name of this knight was Ludolf. It was a real tyrant. One day he was riding along the road in a new purple dress, and he met his peasant, who was riding a wagon. The dirt splashed from under the wheels stained his clothes, and then this prideful knight, beside himself with anger, drew his sword and cut off the peasant's hand. Per. from Latin // Devyataikina N. I. History of the Middle Ages: sources, tasks, games. P. 93 Return
