A Night for Knights: Part 1

Recently, I have noticed a renewed interest in the ancient warrior classes from Earth's past. Names like Spartan, Ninja, Pirate, Apache; and Gladiator are now well known. These warrior classes, particularly the Pirates, Spartans and Feudal Japanese fighters have been fairly glorified in recent years through movies, games; and television. All for better or for worse; no matter how far it deviates from the source material.  

For instance, as any 7 year old American boy who pirates were, you'll likely get a praise of a response. Ask anyone who's seen the 300 who the Spartans were, they'll probably say something along the lines of unstoppable. Ask any young anime or Japan fan who the Samurai and Ninjette were, words like 'invincible', unbeatable; and unique will likely be said.

But I'm not here to down talk pop culture, no no. I love Pirates of the Caribbean, respect Sparta; and find modern practitioners of Ninjustu and Kendo very respectable, well trained; and honorable people. But I find it, personally odd. Much of the praise of exotic warriors is from the West, namely Europe (UK and France mostly) and West styled, former European territories (CA, USA, NZ, AU; etc.); yet we neglect the history of warrior class; who by the West's own accord, is home grown. The warrior class I am referring to is very well know, though very infrequently praised now adays. I am referring to, the Knight.

Ah the Knight, shining hero for multitudes of 4-8 year old girls, slayer of dragons in numerous tales, the favorite chess piece of Napoleon Bonaparte (an avid chess player); and the inventor of chivalry. Truly, their name and image is fairly widespread. Knights were predominately male (there were a few female knights, called Dames [Day-ms, not d***s]) warriors from noblemen families. The special forces of their day, a single knight could take out several foot soldiers in unarmed, hand to hand combat; and even more if he was armed. Master of dozens of weapons, and wearer of the most durable armor in melee combat history; Knights were forces to reckoned with.

It's an odd fact 300 Spartans are credited and glorified for holding off over a million Persians (in fact the Spartans were aided by several thousand slaves and Athenians and the 'Persians' they fought were nearly entirely poorly armed slaves, when the Persian Elite soldiers (the Immortals) were called in; the Greeks dropped like flies), but did you know of a equally great battle, with even more deadly technology and numbers was waged?

During the Muslim invasion of Europe; a force of just 120 Scottish, English, French; and German Knights made a last stand in a castle, holding back a force of over 50,000 Islamic invaders to cover the caravans of fleeing villagers. The knights held back the invaders day and night for over 3 months (much longer then the Greeks held back the Persians). The multinational legion of knights used everything from claymores, to longbows, to morning stars; to primitive flamethrowers. At the end of the 3 months over half of invaders were dead, with only a single French knight being killed; even after the castle gate was busted open.

The invaders were so terrified of the Knights, some were certain the armored warriors were not human; claiming them to be everything from living constructs of metal, to warrior angels; to demons. Knowing they were losing, and with European reinforcements inbound; the invaders retreated.


But not everything about Knights was military power, there was many other sides. For one there was Chivalry, the calling card of Knights. It was basically the rules and guidelines on life for the Knight. It dealt with everything from marriage, faith, hospitality, and behavior. There were 3 main rules of Chivalry



1. A Knight's duty is to his lord God above all Earthly lords


Knights were just as much priests as they were warriors. A knight's greatest weapon perhaps, was the ideology God was on his side. True to this, the European Broadsword, the weapon of choice of most knights; forms a cross when pointed down. Knights were expected to abide by the Laws of the Christian God over all Earthly laws. This is most exemplified in the story of Sir Gawain, who refused to carry out an order from his lord; because it went against the ways of the Christian God.



2. A knight's chief duty is to protect the innocent and serve God.



As exemplified by Sir Galahad or Sir Percival in the Grail legends, and Saint George in his own legend, Knights were supposed to be protectors of the populace. This was also evident during the Muslim invasions of Europe, when Knights stayed behind numerous times to make sure the hundreds of fleeing commoners made it to safety. When the invaders were repelled, in an effort to ensure Europe's safety and to recapture the Holy Lands; Knight lead invasions of the Middle East occurred; which later became known as the Crusades. This rule was also stressed during the Crusades themselves. Numerous records of Knight lead crusaders liberating the Jews of the Middle East from Islamic rule are well documented, even though the Jews were not Christians.



3. A knight's homely duty is to his lady (his wife), and after her, all other ladies



If you think a bloke opening a door for a lady is chivalrous, you should have seen a true Knight. One well known account is of a Scottish Knight during the Crusades. While staying a in a allied Middle Eastern household with his men outside, he witnessed a man smacking his young fiancée for speaking up during dinner. The knight promptly stood up, walked over; and backhanded the abusive man so hard it sent him flying across the table. The knight and the young women later fell in love and married.

Other parts of Chivalry included but were not limited to

-Prayer before battle
-Always attending or conducting a Sunday service
-Never killing an unarmed opponent
-Having a cloth or ribbon sown by their wife or fiancée at all times, even in battle


Knights, being the special forces of there day, were expected to be experienced in many forms of combat; and be physically fit. Take a knight out of his armor, and he'd likely be more 'buff' then most bikers. Knights trained almost daily in full armor, which could weigh as much as 75 pounds. They eventually reached a state were their armor barely slowed them down. In fact alongside jousting competitions, a popular competitive sport for knights was somersaulting competitions in full body armor.