Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
The Training of a Knight explained
This chapter describes the rigorous education and initiation of knights, from page at age seven to esquire at fourteen, culminating in knighthood at twenty-one.
What happens
This chapter describes the rigorous education and initiation of knights, from page at age seven to esquire at fourteen, culminating in knighthood at twenty-one. It covers physical training, courtly manners, the role of a lady as a knight's inspiration, and the solemn religious ceremonies of investiture.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and the Quest
The training prepares knights for heroic deeds and quests.
Cultural Transmission and Education
The chapter details the transmission of chivalric values and skills.
Love and Transformation
The knight's devotion to a lady transforms his valor and purpose.
Characters to notice
- Sir Launcelot
Exemplary knight whose training would have followed this regimen.
- King Arthur
Presiding knight who might confer knighthood in such ceremonies.
- Sir Gawain
Knight known for courtesy, reflecting the courtly ideals taught.
- Queen Guenever
Lady of the court who could be chosen as a knight's mistress.
Key passages
“At seven years of age the noble children were usually removed from their father’s house to the court or castle of their future patron, and placed under the care of a governor, who taught them the first articles of religion, and respect and reverence for their lords and superiors, and initiated them in the ceremonies of a court.”
Noble children were sent away from home at age seven to live with a patron, where a governor taught them religion, respect for authority, and courtly manners.
Describes the start of a page's education.
“At fourteen the page became an esquire, and began a course of severer and more laborious exercises.”
When a page turned fourteen, he became an esquire and undertook more difficult physical training.
Transition from page to esquire.
“The candidate then, with folded arms, knelt before the presiding knight, who, after some questions about his motives and purposes in requesting admission, administered to him the oaths, and granted his request.”
The candidate knelt before the knight, answered questions about his intentions, took oaths, and was accepted into knighthood.
Key moment in the knighting ceremony.