Knighting is described in many historical essays and works of art. And like any other tradition, it has its own history.
Knighting: A Brief History
In fact, for the first time such a rite was carried out in ancient Germanic tribes many years before the appearance of the first knights. After the young man reached adulthood, his father or a respected member of the community handed him a sword and spear. Now the young man was considered a full member of the tribe.
In Christian times, this tradition was revived, however, with some differences. In the fifteenth century, as a rule, fifteen-year-old boys became knights. By the way, during this period a similar title could be obtained by a not too noble person or even a simple peasant.
But as the states developed, the knights became an increasingly closed, elite group. The young men were first given up to a noble family, where they served as squires. The initiation ceremony was carried out mainly among men not older than 21 years. It is interesting that by the beginning of the 18th century even some barons and people who possessed a title and lands remained without initiation. After all, the ceremony was associated with high financial costs.
Knighting: Preparing for the Holiday
In fact, initiation was a very important stage in the life of a man, therefore, they thoroughly prepared for this holiday.
At first, the young squire had to ask his lord or other senior official. After that, the biography of the potential knight was carefully studied: other members of the society had to make sure with his courage, honesty, straightforwardness and other qualities.
As a rule, initiation was attached to some church holiday in order to further emphasize the importance of the event and the responsibility of the future knight. Until the appointed date, the young man had to fast, spend as much time as possible during prayer and repentance. The candidate had to spend the last night before the holiday in the church.
And at dawn, he was taken by the old knights, who took him to the traditional bathing procedure. The young man was dressed in a simple linen tunic, and a sling with a sword was hung around his neck.
Knighting: what did it look like?
After the ceremonial ablution, the candidate, accompanied by a whole procession, was led to the appointed place. As a rule, it was a church or chapel, although there is information about the rite in the castle or open field.
At the ceremony site, the future knight was helped to put on armor. After that, the priest held a liturgy in honor of the Holy Spirit. By the way, the candidate had to kneel all the time. Next was to read a book of chivalric laws. That is how the young man was informed of his duties to the seigneur, king and Christian church.
After familiarizing himself with the laws, the emperor or the seigneur approached the candidate, who hit him on the shoulder with a sword. The oath of the knight, which the recruit made at the same time, contained a promise of fidelity to God and the sovereign, the country was protected from any threat.
Next, the newly made knight was put on golden spurs, which symbolized dignity. Another important part of the uniform is the shield on which the coat of arms of the genus was depicted. But the sword was associated with the cross - it symbolized justice. In fact, each part of the armor had its own meaning.
At the end of the ceremony, a war horse was brought to the knight. Now a noble man drove along the street to the loud enthusiastic cries of the peasants, brothers in arms and, of course, beautiful ladies.
Now for a young man a real adult life began. Of course, the knight’s main duty was to participate in military campaigns or to protect and strengthen the state’s border territories.