The word knight comes from the Old English word cnight, which means a household retainer. English people used the word to describe French mounted soldiers who first came to England after the Norman conquest of 1066. These knights were merely warriors equipped and trained to fight on horseback. Knighthood carried no social distinction, and any man could be a knight. Many lords had knights, who performed household duties in peacetime and fought in time of war. The lord provided armor and horses for his knights, and the knight repaid him with his loyalty. Between 1100 and 1300, most knights became servants to lords or vassals, and received some land. As the cost of armor and a war horse increased, only wealthy men could equip themselves to fight as knights. Thus the knights became a class divided from the rest of the community. Knights became a mark of honor and dist

A knights Clothing and armor where most drastically changed and further developed during the Medieval times. Fashion and Armor went from practical to a statement of wealth and power. In the 1100's, a knight wore linen or wool layered undertunics. He had a cloak fastened at the shoulders, and wore long stockings and leather shoes. In the 1200's, undertunics reached to the ankles of knights, and the knight also wore a fur-lined surcoat, which had long sleeves and a hood that covered his head. Clothes in the 1300's became more colorful and elaborate. The undertunic covered only the torso, and buttoned down the front. The pants also fit tightly. Jeweled felt hats and decorated capes became popular. Fashions in the 1400's went to extremes of decoration and display. Surcoats where pleated, edged with fur, and fastened at the waist with a belt. Shoulder padding and stiffening over the chest created an exaggerated waistline. The sleeves were long, full, and stiff. Shoes became so pointed that the front was often curled up and fastened to the knee with a small chain. From the 1200's to the 1400's, knights dressed colorfully and carefully followed changes in fashion. (Knights and Knighthood)

In the Middle Ages, a young boy in training to be a knight spent the first years of his life chiefly in the care of the women of his family. During this time, he learned to ride a pony and care for horses. When a boy reached the age of about 7, he left home to begin training for knighthood. As a page, he joined the household of another knight or a nobleman. There he learned to handle small weapons. He also learned the code of courtesy and behavior expected of a knight. A boy began his training as a squire at 15 or 16. He acted as a valet, or personal servant, to the knight who was his master. He set the table and served meals. The squire received serious training as a mounted soldier. He rode with his master into battle and took part in the fight. In battle, the squire wore silvered spurs to distinguish him from a knight, whose spurs were gilt. The period of service usually lasted about five years. Then the squire was eligible for knighthood.

Knights would often get confused during battle because it was very similar to a mosh pit, sometimes they could not tell their enemies from their own. The coat of arms provided the only recognizable feature of a knight when his face was covered. It was painted on his shield and on the surcoat that he wore over his arm

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Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)