The knights were heavily armored soldiers who rode on horseback. Only the wealthiest nobles could afford to be a knight. They needed very expensive armor, weapons, and a powerful war horse. The first knights of the Middle Ages fought for Charlemagne, the King of the Franks, in the 700s.

Knights: Revision Notes - The Three Orders, Class 11, History

Introduction:
Knights were an important social and military class during the medieval period in Europe. They were highly trained warriors who held a prominent position in the feudal system. The concept of knighthood emerged in the 11th century and continued to exist until the 16th century.

Origin and Training:
- Knights were typically born into noble families and received their training from a young age.
- They were sent to the castles of lords or other experienced knights to serve as pages and learn the essential skills of warfare, such as riding, swordsmanship, and archery.
- As they grew older, they became squires, serving under a knight and assisting them in battles and tournaments.
- The final stage of becoming a knight involved a ceremony known as "dubbing," where the candidate was knighted by a lord or a senior knight.

Duties and Responsibilities:
- Knights were expected to uphold the code of chivalry, which emphasized virtues like courage, honor, loyalty, and respect for authority.
- They served as the backbone of medieval warfare, fighting on horseback and wearing armor for protection.
- Knights played a crucial role in defending their lord's lands and maintaining law and order within their territories.
- They also participated in tournaments, jousts, and other martial contests to display their skills and earn honor and prestige.

Social Status and Lifestyle:
- Knights held a high social status and were considered members of the nobility.
- They owned and managed large estates, which included land, castles, and serfs who worked on their lands.
- Knights enjoyed privileges such as exemption from certain taxes and the right to hold court.
- They lived a lavish lifestyle, often engaging in hunting, feasting, and other forms of entertainment.

Decline of Knights:
- The rise of new military technologies, such as gunpowder and firearms, made the traditional knightly warfare tactics less effective.
- The cost of maintaining a knightly lifestyle became increasingly burdensome, leading to financial difficulties for many knights.
- The centralization of power in the hands of monarchs and the emergence of professional standing armies reduced the importance of knights in military affairs.
- With time, the feudal system evolved and gave way to more modern forms of governance, leading to the eventual decline of knighthood.

In conclusion, knights were a distinct class of highly skilled warriors who played a significant role in medieval society. They were trained from a young age, held important responsibilities, enjoyed a high social status, and lived a luxurious lifestyle. However, their decline was inevitable with the changing times and the advent of new military tactics and structures.