A Medieval Knight

Children's Literature

This fascinating book takes an in-depth look at knighthood, its origins, why the code of chivalry was imposed, and why knights eventually became obsolete. I have read many books about knights, yet this one told me facts I had not read before. I learned how the knighthood ceremony evolved from an informal affair with a painful blow to the neck to bestow the knighthood, to a three or more day gala ending with a formal dubbing ceremony with a gentle sword tap on each shoulder. I learned of the techniques squires and knights used to develop the strength to move around in heavy coats of armor, and about the layers they wore when they were suited up. And I learned that a knight who egregiously dishonored the code of chivalry endured a burial service and was looked upon as dead. During the later Middle Ages, the costs of maintaining knights, squires, and their horses and equipment became so high that nobles often released their sworn knights from their status as stand-by fighters and hired mercenaries on an as-needed basis. This book brings in so many examples and details to make it an intriguing and memorable description of the life of a knight. It includes author's notes, an annotated bibliography, book and web resources for further reference, and an index. It is part of the excellent "The Working Life" series that also looks at Colonial craftsmen, Medieval monks and merchants, and a Roman Senator, among other careers. 2005, Lucent/Thomson Gale, Ages 10 up.
—Janet Crane Barley

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-These titles give students a much more accurate picture of the period than the ones that are shown on television and in the movies. Introductory chapters in both texts provide definitions and descriptions of both knights and merchants. Succeeding chapters in Knight include apprenticeship and equipment, fighting wars, the Crusades, tournaments, and village administration. They detail the difficult training endured and the numerous and important roles knights played in society and in upholding the law of the land. In Merchant readers learn about the development of trade, trade routes, markets and fairs, guilds, education and training, and the power of medieval bankers. These well-written, carefully researched books provide insight into the struggles and difficulties of the lives of both classes, complemented by numerous black-and-white drawings, maps, and reproductions. Primary-source quotations and sidebars of additional interesting facts are included. Both titles conclude with extensive bibliographies and comprehensive indexes.-Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.