Knights and Knights Equipment

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Knights and Knights Equipment
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Types of Armor
Hide
Scalemail
Chainmail
Padded
Leather
The five types of armor that are shown on the
top of this page are leather, padded, hide,
scalemail, and chainmail. All of these provide
some degree of protection but not a lot compared
to most armor. Leather armor has brestplate and
shoulder protectors that are soaked in a oil that
makes them stiff and hard to move in, the rest of
the armor is softer and more flexible than
leather. Padded armor features quilted layers of
cloth and batting. It gets hot quickly and can
become foul with sweat, grim, lice, and fleas.
Hide armor is prepared from multiple layers of
leather and animal hides. It is stiff and hard
to move in. Scale mail is a coat and leggings
covered with overlapping pieces of metal much
like the scales of a fish. Chainmail is made of
interlocking metal rings. It includes a layer of
quilted fabric underneath it to prevent chaffing
and to cushion the impact of blows.
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Types of Armor
Bandedmail Splintmail
Breastplate
Half-plate Fullplate
These are several other armors that the knights
would use. Bandedmail, Splintmail, Breastplate,
Half-plate, and Fullplate. Bandedmail is made of
overlapping strips of metal sewn to a backing of
leather and chain mail. The strips cover
vulnerable areas, while the chain and leather
protect the joints and provide free movement.
Straps and buckles distribute weight evenly.
Splintmail is made of narrow vertical strip of
metal riveted a backing of leather that is worn
of cloth padding. Breastplate covers your front
and your back. It comes with a helmet and
greaves. A light suit of studded leather beneath
the breastplate protects your limbs without
restricting movement much. Half-plate is a
combination of chainmail and metal plates that
covers the vital areas. Buckles and straps hold
the whole suit together. Fullplate consists of
shaped and fitted metal plates riveted and
interlocked to cover the entire body.
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Types of Shields
Tower
Spiked
Large Metal Buckler
Here are several examples of the types of
shields that knights used. Pictured here are the
Tower, Spiked, Buckler, and Large Metal shields.
Tower shields are so massive that they are as
tall as the wielder. It is basically a portable
wall. Spiked shields are wooden and offer basic
protection. Large shields are to heavy to use
anything else in that hand. Bucklers are small
metal shields that strap to your arm.
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Types of Weapons
Longspear
Lance
Javelin
Scythe

These weapons are the longspear, lance, javelin,
and scythe. A longspear has a reach of ten feet
but you cannot use it against adjacent foes.
Lances deal more damage when used from a charging
mount. There are two types of lances, heavy and
light. Javelins are light flexible spears intend
for throwing. Scythes are designed to focus on
the tremendous force on the sharp point as well
as the back edge.
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Types of Weapons
Longbow Composite Longbow

Composite Shortbow
The weapons to the left are the Composite
Shortbow, the Shortbow, the Longbow, and the
Composite Longbow. The Composite Shortbow is
made of laminated horn, wood, or bone and built
with a recurve, meaning that the bow remains
bow-shaped even when unstrung. The Shortbow is a
bow that is made of wood but has no recurve, it
is not as powerful as the Composite Shortbow.
The Longbow is a bow larger than the Shortbow but
is just as inaccurate as the Shortbow. The
Composite Longbow was made to take advantage of a
persons above average strength.
Shortbow
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Types of Weapons
Double Axe
Urgrosh
Handaxe
Battleaxe
The weapons that are above are the Double Axe,
the Handaxe, the Battleaxe, and the Urgrosh. The
Double Axe is a double weapon, you can fight with
this as if you are fighting with two weapons.
The Handaxe was used as an off-hand or backup
weapon. The Battleaxe was the most common weapon
used during the middle ages. The Urgrosh is also
a double weapon like the Double Axe, the axe head
is for slashing and the spear head on the bottom
of the axe is for stabbing or piercing.
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Types of Weapons
War axe
Throwing axe Halberd
Great axe
These weapons that are on the top of this page
are the War axe, Great axe, Throwing axe,
Halberd. The War axe is to large to hold in one
hand without special training, thus it is a rare
weapon. The Great axe is a big and heavy axe and
it is favored by anyone who wants to deal out
incredible damage. The Throwing axe is an axe
use to inflict damage on a target that is out of
arms reach. The Halberd is normally used with
the axe head, but the spear head on the end is
also a useful weapon. The hook in the end is
useful for tripping opponents.
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Types of Weapons
Flail
Punching Dagger
Ball and Chain
Morningstar
Mace
Kukri
The weapons above are the Flail, the Ball and
Chain, the Punching Dagger, the Morningstar, the
Mace, and the Kukri. The Flail is used to trip
people. The Ball and Chain is a lethal weapon
that can easily be used to pierce any armor
because of the spikes on the ball. The Punching
Dagger is used to put the full force of a knights
punch behind it making it capable of a deadly
strike. The Morningstar is a simple weapon that
combines the impact of a club and the deadly
force of a spike. The Mace is made of metal even
the grip so it is very heavy and hard to break.
The Kukri is a thin shaft of metal that has
piercing spearhead on the end and small spikes on
the shaft.
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Types of Weapons
Sickle Dagger
Short Sword
Longsword
Bastard Sword
On top of this page of are several weapons
called the Sickle, Dagger, Short Sword, Long
Sword, Bastard Sword. The Sickle is like a
farmers tool, but it is strengthened so knights
could use it in the battle field. The Short
Sword was popular as an off-hand or back-up
weapon. The Longsword is a classical straight
blade and is the weapon favored by knights. The
Bastard Sword is to large to use in one hand,
thus it is a rare weapon. They are known as a
hand- and- a -half sword.
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Types of Weapons
Great Sword
Double Sword
Falchion
Scimitar
Rapier
The weapons shown above are the Great Sword, the
Double Sword, the Falchion, the Scimitar, and the
Rapier. The Great Sword is recognized as one of
the best melee weapons available. The Double
Sword can be used as two weapons. The Falchion
is a sword that is like the scimitar but has a
keener edge. The Scimitar has a curve on the
blade that makes it sharper. The Rapier is a
long flexible sword that can be used to slash
easily.
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Stages of Knighthood
It all begins at the age of seven.  Usually the
sons or grandsons of knights are the only ones
privileged enough to even begin the training. 
They are assigned to a particular knight who
educates them in the art of using various
knightly weapons.  Many different skills are
utilized and drilled so that the boys can learn
to handle the heavy equipment.  Hand-to-hand
combat is the main method of fighting on the
battlefield, therefore this is a skill that is
emphasized from the very beginning
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Stages of Knighthood
Jousting is an important skill and technique that
is extremely important to learn.  This is not
just a skill that looks impressive when performed
at tournaments in front of royalty, but can prove
to save lives in battle.  Due to the weight of a
knight's armor, if he is knocked off his horse he
may be in serious trouble on the battle field.  
In this picture the knight in training practices
his approach on the mannequin hanging from the
pole.
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Stages of Knighthood
Knighthood is not all about being brutal and
violent.  Knights are also taught to be gentle,
chivalrous and respectful towards the arts.  The
women of the castle help teach young pages and
squires how to act like gentlemen, while the men
pass on their musical knowledge.  A knight needs
to be noble and modest when courting a young
woman by wooing her with beautiful music,
intelligent literature and flowers.  This is seen
here.
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Stages of Knighthood
Continuing their education Pages learn the
mechanics of full body armor by helping their
knights get into armor.  By this time, the young
boy is close to fourteen years old and is ready
to learn some of the more detailed aspects of a
knight's life.  A knight's armor is extremely
heavy and made of steel, therefore the knight
requires assistance.  Later, when the Page is
older and promoted to a Squire, he is required to
follow the knight into battle and assist him in
every possible way.
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Stages of Knighthood
Continuing with his apprenticeship, the Squire
sleeps by his master's bedside every night.  This
instills a sense of loyalty that is an important
part of the Code of Chivalry.  Honor, respect and
loyalty are qualities that all knights are
expected to possess, and thus, need to be
instilled at an early age so that they become a
natural part of every day life.
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Stages of Knighthood
Of all the characteristics that a knight in
training is required to acquire, the most
important one is obedience.  The Squire is
ordered to perform many irrelevant tasks, such as
serving his lords at meal-time and sleeping by
the bedside of his master.  From this he becomes
accustomed to taking orders from his superiors
regardless of the request.  This trait is
something that continues to be instilled in
soldiers during training routines to this day. 
It ensures that the army is unified.  Eventually,
the Squire will have all the knowledge and skills
to be an asset to both the King's Royal Army and
to the land on which he fights.
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Code of Honor
Live to serve King and Country. Live to defend
Crown and Country and all it holds dear. Live
one's life so that it is worthy of respect and
honor. Live for freedom, justice and all that is
good. Never attack an unarmed foe. Never use a
weapon on an opponent not equal to the
attack. Never attack from behind. Avoid lying to
your fellow man. Avoid cheating. Avoid
torture. Obey the law of king, country, and
chivalry. Administer justice. Protect the
innocent. Exhibit self control. Show respect to
authority. Respect women. Exhibit Courage in word
and deed. Defend the weak and innocent. Destroy
evil in all of its monstrous forms. Crush the
monsters that steal our land and rob our
people. Fight with honor.
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Code of Honor
Avenge the wronged. Never abandon a friend, ally,
or noble cause. Fight for the ideals of king,
country, and chivalry. Die with valor. Always
keep one's word of honor. Always maintain one's
principles. Never betray a confidence or
comrade. Avoid deception. Respect life and
freedom. Die with honor. Exhibit manners. Be
polite and attentive. Be respectful of host,
women, and honor. Loyalty to country, king,
honor, freedom, and the code of chivalry. Loyalty
to one's friends and those who lay their trust in
thee.