Knights and Castles

Medieval Knights and Castles were closely related to each other during the medieval times.

This was not only due to the fact that various orders of medieval knights built their own castles, but also because medieval knights had certain duties and responsibilities that they carried out for the nobles in their castles.

Medieval Knights had clearly defined roles to play during times of war and peace.

Medieval Knights and Castle History

Both the concepts of medieval knights and castles was not well formed during the early medieval times.

It was during the middle and late medieval times that medieval knights and castles emerged throughout Europe and started to become more of a feature in medieval life.

This was particularly true after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 in which feudalism was introduced to England and the concept of knights and castles became more dominate in everyday life because of this new system of Norman rule.

The prominence of the Medieval Knight and his connection to medieval castles in peoples minds also gained more momentum during and after the Crusades.

Knights role in a medieval castle

There were various important roles that medieval knights were expected to perform in the castle.

Most importantly, medieval knights were expected to serve their lord and fight for him as stipulated in the Knights Code of Chivalry.

Medieval knights and castles also have important relationship in that various orders of the medieval knights made their own castles during the late medieval times.

One of the best examples of such castles is Malbork Castle in Germany built by the Teutonic Knights.

Medieval Knights in both attack and defence of a medieval castle

Medieval Knights Duties in a castle

The duties of medieval knights mainly had to do with defence.

Knights would be entrusted with the defence of the medieval castle and were expected to fight with bravery and courage to defend the castle whenever required.

Similarly, it was a medieval knights duty to serve their lord and come to his assistance in the event of a war.

During times of peace time a knight could be given the duty of looking after the land and the people. Thus medieval knights and castles were closely linked with each other.

Did Medieval Knights live in Castles

Medieval knights would sometimes be granted castles for their services but this did not happen very often.

In most cases, knights lived with lords in their castles.

Medieval Knights received lodgings, weapons, food and other privileges in exchange for their military services and protection.

knights who were granted fiefdom by the king were known as Vassals.

The medieval orders of knights who had built their own castles also lived in the castles. However, sometimes knights would also live in small cottages in the village.

Medieval Knights Status in The Castle

Medieval knights and castles were, in a sense, inevitable linked to each other.

It was because the castle could not be defended without the fighting services that were provided by the medieval knight.

Thus medieval knights enjoyed important social status in the castle.

This was particularly true for knights who hailed from nobility and this was not very uncommon, however knights not belonging to nobility also enjoyed relatively important social status within the castle and medieval life in general.

Medieval Knights and Castles Summary

Medieval knights and castles and their connection are some of the fascinating aspects of the medieval times and they bear a close relationship.

The defence of the castle and its inhabitants was the responsibility of medieval knights residing in the castle.

Other than this duty, the knights were also expected to accompany their lord to war and fight with courage.

During peacetime, medieval knights looked after the land of the lord and the inhabitants of the village, in addition to fighting during events that were arranged during the year such as medieval tournaments.

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