Medieval Knight

In the eighth century, under Charlemagne's rule, the first knights appeared. By the ninth century, a large number of knights and nobility had fiefs that greater lords had given them in exchange for their military and other services. The 14th century saw the return of the knight to foot warfare in various countries.

However, there was still a strong link between the knight and mounted battle with spears and later lances. Depending on the period of the Middle Ages we are discussing, medieval knights or mounted nobility also differed considerably.

Equipment would differ greatly between a Norman knight at the Battle of Hastings, a Knight Templar in the Holy Land, and a late medieval knight wearing full plate armor. With the advent of full plate armor in Europe in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, plate armor achieved its apex. This was separated into the white northern Italian armor style and the gothic southern German type.

Being distinct from the two main continental styles, a true English style of armor was likely also in use. A knight's lance, pole arms, blunt weapons, and—although it was viewed as a secondary weapon on the battlefield—sword were his armaments.