Knight
The most significant military figure of the feudal system of the European Middle Ages. He was a mounted warrior dressed in a suit of armor.
The word knight is derived from the Old English word cniht, the equivalent of the Latin word caballarius, meaning "horseman."
Knighthood flourished before the time of guns and gunpowder when battles still were won by hand-to-hand conflicts of heavy-armored knights. Their major undertake were the Crusades, where thousands died.
Even in peacetime knights looked for conflicts in which to engage. Fighting was almost an everyday occurrence, and the common people generally could not protect themselves against an invading foe. In times of danger they fled to the castles or strongholds owned by the nobles.
To obtain protection the poorer folk became the serfs or villeins of their powerful neighbors, and those in turn were the vassals of those still more powerful. The institution of knighthood was part of this feudal system.
In the long history of the Crusades, thousands of knights, soldiers, merchants, and peasants lost their lives on the march or in battle.
See A Concise History of the Crusades, A History of the Crusades: The First Crusade and the Foundation of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, A History of the Crusades: The Kingdom of Acre and the Later Crusades, Crusades: The Illustrated History, King Arthur, Glastonbury, Camelot, Knights Templar, Lyonesse, Mystic Gifts and Charms - New Age Gift Shop & Wicca and Pagan Supplies, Love Spells -- Use these powerful love spells to help you find and keep your true love, The Tarot Store, Divination & Scrying Tools and Supplies, Unique Amulets, Talismans, Good Luck Charms, and Love Tokens, Powerful Witch Doctor Spell Kits, Powerful Spells - Cast by Andreika the Witch, Webmasters Make $$$, AzureGreen - Celebrating All Paths to the Divine, ISIS - Tools for Your Soul's Journey, and The Pyramid Collection - Myth, Magick, Fantasy and Romance.
Sources: Article is scheduled to be reviewed.
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