| Medieval knights in Europe charged into battle seeking | | | | his estates by giving loyalty and the service of his |
| to conquer land for their lords and masters. Wearing | | | | knights to the king. The first knights were just soldiers |
| heavy, shining armor, these warriors riding high atop | | | | on horseback who served local lords. But the lords, |
| horses canvassed the countryside, besieging castles | | | | who often a lot more land than money, found it hard to |
| and fortresses and meeting opposing groups of | | | | keep the knights properly equipped. So they gave the |
| knights face-to-face in open fields, their sharp swords | | | | knights land instead of supporting them. The knights |
| and lances drawn and ready for battle. The clashes | | | | became landlords at higher social status. The common |
| were violent and the warfare bloody. But both on and | | | | people, such as farmers, laborers, and serfs, lived and |
| off the battlefield, knights upheld a way of life known | | | | worked on land owned by the knights and barons. |
| as chivalry, which emphasized kindness, bravery, and | | | | The knight in shining armor and stories of their |
| respect for others. | | | | adventures have gained legendary status. We often |
| For hundreds of years, knights were the most | | | | think of knights as romantic, brave figures always |
| powerful soldiers and among the most important | | | | ready to ride to the rescue or fight anyone or slay |
| people in Europe. They were at their height for about | | | | anything, such as the terrifying dragon. It's no wonder |
| 500 years in the Middle Ages, from 1000 to the 1500s. | | | | that even today, knights and knighthood remain popular |
| Society in the medieval period was like a pyramid. | | | | concepts idealized by authors, filmmakers, and people |
| Each knight served a baron or earl, who, in turn, help | | | | the world over. |