THE ANCIENT KNIGHT

 

THE FIRST KNIGHT
Maurice was an African born in 287 A.D.
He and his army were dispatched from Thebes Egypt to Gaul to assist Maximian.
When he had won the war for Maximian, he knelt before him, vowing by his God to remain loyal
to the Emperor.
The Emperor asked that he restate his vow and place him before his God.
Maurice refused to put the Emperor first.
The Emperor killed every 10^th man in Maurice‘s 6,000 army, and when he refused a second time, the Emperor had him beheaded before ordering the rest of his Christian army slaughtered.
His martyrdom made him a patron saint in 926 A.D. of the Holy Roman Emperors.
It is also believed by many that Maurice carried the sword that pierced Christs side into battle because his name is engraved on it.
The Mauritius Kloster in honor of St. Maurice was founded in 929 A.D.

THE LAST KNIGHT
Considered to be John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, third son of King Edward III of England
His name ‘John of Gaunt’ came from his birth in Ghent.
His older brother Edward, the Black Prince, died in 1382, was probably better known.
John had 13 children with 3 wives
     Blanche of Lancaster 7 Platagenet
     Constanza of Castile 2 Platagenet
     Katherine Swynford 4 Beaufort

ASSIZE of ARMS
Whoever possesses one knight's fee shall have a mail shirt, helmet, shield, and lance, and every knight shall have as many mail shirts, helmets, shields, and lances as he possesses knight's fees in demesne.

CLASP/Shoulder Thump
Whenever knights and/or warriors meet what usually follows is a grab of the other’s arm in a clasp, not the normal handshake we do in the modern realm.
There are the basic two kinds with considerable variations.
1. Extend hand and grab the other’s forearm below the elbow and squeeze firmly. The
other hand, if you are friends, may grab his elbow/shoulder at the same time. This
type of clasp has some who then pump the other’s arm vigorously, especially if they
were missed at the last war. Some are more polite and will squeeze and let go.
2. Along with the forearm grab it may also have the shoulder thump to let you know
they thoroughly enjoyed running into you.
A) There is also the shoulder squeeze, more so between family members.
§ A king may do any of the above and only his fealty sworn knights may respond in kind (meaning none may touch his person in response to his touch, least his protector take matters into his own hands).
§ A lower ranked knight must wait for the higher ranked to shown their preference first.
§ A warrior must wait for all to go first then follow suit, with the exception of the king.

DISTINGUISHING APPEARANCE
Attendants, Banner, Horse, Spurs, Weapons, Shield. 

DUTY
1. Defend his king, liege or lord
2. His realm or country
3. Others who require his aid  
 

FEALTY and HOMAGE
Fealty, allegiance and homage have grown into the same thing to us, but fealty itself was and still is a locked oath of loyalty, and paying a lord homage is to openly show their allegiance.
When a warrior decides to serve one particular knight, lord, or king the desire to do so may come from a belief in that person, but for many its simply admiration of their strength, truth, or loyalty they find alluring and wish to devote themselves to that individual, keep or king.
A Lord's man or vassal originated from the Celtic word for boy.
Fealty came in different levels back then;
1. Oath to Liege-----complete loyalty, service and obedience.
2. Service------------oath of Officers in service to the Realm.
3. Apprentice--------deputy swearing to uphold his office and that of his master.
4. Household---------swearing allegiance to one Household you want to join.
5. Military------------swearing to serve a group to fight for only 1 war event.

      COMMENDATION/Commenation Ceremony      
      This first began in Rome when an officer chose a favorite superior to ally himself with.
      In Medieval times it was done between noble’s or equals whose purpose was to make
      a feudal relationship between the two and it was significantly done in two parts.
      1. Act of swearing homage to another.
      2. Act of swearing fealty to another.

FEALTY CEREMONY
When a knight swears fealty to a King/Noble/Overlord his oath remains intact until they release him or his death causes it. 
Swearing fealty then as now should not be taken lightly. Some realms you need to consider how it may effect your place in the Realm. The other side of that, most Keeps require sworn fealty to become part of their group. 
1. The vassal would lay hands on a Lord or Realm’s meaningful item to swear fealty,  "I shall promise on my honor to remain faithful to my lord (say name), never cause him harm, observe my homage to him against all persons without deceit.”
 
FEALTY SWORN
            Liege King---------My King, My Liege King
            Liege Queen------My Queen, my Lady Queen, My Liege Queen
            Liege Lord---------My Liege, my Liege Lord

            LIEGE   my Liege (person who has pledged allegiance to King/Lord)
            LIEGE LORD    my Liege Lord (one who has received sworn allegiance)

HOMAGE CEREMONY
1. The person who will be the vassal shows his submission by appearing weaponless and          bareheaded, kneeling before the one who will be his Lord.
2. The vassal extends clasped hands outward in the ultimate sign of submission.
3. The lord squeezes hands hard to show he is the superior in their relationship.
4. The vassal responds he wishes him to become his ‘liege‘.
5. And the lord accepts him and his decision.

KNIGHTS LINEAGE SCROLL
A Noble or Knight entering a tournament had to produce their Lineage Scroll as proof they were truly knighted or of Noble heritage. These were highly illuminated with most encased in animal hide to protect it, and many highly decorated on the outside and tied with leather straps or ribbons attached.

KNIGHTLY THING TO DO

 

GLOSSARY

A

‘À BONNE USANCE’  French meaning ‘for my own good use’,  soldiers uttered this as they searched for spoils of war as the enemy fled or among the dead.
ACHIEVEMENT  full display of armorial bearings or Coat of Arms
ACCOLADE   ceremony conferring the honor of knighthood.  Originally was the girding of the sword, or giving of the military belt which signified the coming of age.
ACCOUTREMENT  all pieces of a knight’s rank or office
1. Sword signifies justice and mercy
2. Spurs signify a knights rank
3. Chain meant they had sworn fealty
3. Military belt of white meant they were knighted
ACT of CHIVLARY    one who commits a chivalrous act for or on behalf of another
ADOUBMENT  French originally meant to equip a warrior in knightly harness
AD-HOC UNIT  knight with few soldiers/knights in his group under a Nobles banner
ADOUBEMENT  girding a knight with his military belt was most important element of the knighting  ceremony.
AIDS   financial services a land holding tenant owes an overlord
AILETTE   flat plate of leather/parchment on shoulder displaying Coat of Arms
ALLEGIANCES   between a knight and his lord, ruler, order
ARMIGER   squire carrying armor of a knight, or person entitled to bear heraldic arms
ARMIGEROUS   ranks of society, esquires, above, entitled to bear COA
ARMS   weapons, armor, or heraldic device
ARMURE  fabric woven with a chain mail pattern
ATHAS   oaths
ATTAINDER  14th c. Parliament bill imposing sentence on single person requiring a Monarch’s signature losing all titles and lands with maximum death for dishonor.

B

BACELE  ten lances of cavalry forming a division of 600 knights
BADGE   device/figure placed on part of clothing of a knight or servant of a Nobles Household.  Placed on the chest or sleeve to show whose household they belong to.                           
      LIVERY   a distinctive uniform showing a badge, or device provided by anyone of  rank or title for his retainers  in time of war, or a uniform worn by servants, or  those banded in a certain guild. 
     LIVERY COLORS  principal tinctures of a coat of arms, usually one color and metal, used for liveries, standards.
BANNER  a knight who lead a number of soldiers into battle was entitled to carry a banner
emblazoned with his device to rally troops during war confusion.  Also, standard banner carried by a Banneret, or the informal ceremony that takes a new Knights swallowtail pennon and crops it to indicate his rise in status.
      BANDEROLE  small streamer attached to the head of a lance or pencil
      GUIDON   pennant of a bachelor knight
      PENNANT/Guidon  knights small triangular cloth attached at end of lance  showing his heraldic device.
      PENNON   tapering/ triangular, or swallow-tailed cloth on of a knights lance
      KNIGHT of the SQUARE FLAG  one honored for valor, entitling them to display a square banner, holding higher command
BANNERS DISPLAYED   openly declares war against one’s own liege lord
BATTLE  CRY   expression shouted before/during battle, eventually becoming a knight or noble’s family motto.
BELTED FIGHTER  knight, showing the white belt of knighthood
 UNBELTED FIGHTER  any warrior one not yet knighted
BERSERK/Heat of Battle   Scandinavian for warriors overtaken with battle madness
BLAZON/Blazonry   German word ‘Blasen’ means to blow with horn due to proclaiming a knights style of arms in public.  Today it gives accurate description of a coat of arms.
BLODWITE   fine for drawing blood
BOON COMPANION  loyal friend or servant
BROTHERHOOD  group of knights vowed to one Order

C

CADRE   experienced professionals,  or core group of another military organization who trained others
CAMIS   worn over armor
CANTING ARMS   designed as a pun on the name of their bearer
CASTLE GUARD   knight's obligation for garrison duty, organized on a rotational basis
CAVALRY  root of word Chivalry, mounted man, or  ‘chevalier’  French for horseman
 CAVALRY/Heavy  any armored man and horse
             LIGHT    foot soldiers
CHAINS  gold/silve worn by English officers/knights representing the binding of their vow
      OF FEALTY   binding of their fidelity or obligation to a lord.
      OF LOYALTY   worn as a token of their loyalty
CHAIN MAIL   woven rings used to protect the body, worn under surcoat or with armor
CHALLENGE  calling another combatant/opponent to fight
CHAMPION KING/QUEEN’S    chosen for his fighting ability to defend
     Defender/Guardian/Protector   hired to protect a Noble or Royal person
CHAPE    metal tip or mounting on scabbard or sheath
CHARGE HERALDIC  main element on a knight’s device or arms
CHARGE  favorite maneuver of Knights and their units to break enemy’s forces/lines
CHASTITY/Virtue  ideal from religious orders of knighthood, and Ramon Lull
CHEVAUCHEE/Cavalcade   feudal duty to accompany lord on expedition as escort
CHEVALIER   French for knight, accompanying words maybe
      D'UN ECU  meaning with heraldic arms
      ENGAGE  meaning paid
      ENGLISH word derived from it is ‘Cavalier’
CHIVALRIC CHRONICLER  families Froissart and Monstrelet recorded the political history of England & France during the Hundred Years War.
CHIVALRIC COMBAT/Judicial Duel     challenge to the death
CHIVALRIC ORDERS     * see end of chapter for historic details
CHIVALRY   noble qualities a knight must possess such as courage, honor, loyalty etc.
CHIVALRY  THE  another term for a group of knights
CHIVALRY/French for Chevalier  code of behavior/virtuous actions for knights
CINGULUM MILITIAE  Roman word ‘Cingulum’ a Knight's sword belt  strapped on during dubbing ceremony, symbolizing his entry into the Order of Knighthood.
CLOTH  900 ft long encompassing jousting area and stands
     FIELD of GOLD   called this when Royalty joins the field
COAT of ARMS   originally tunic/tabard worn over armor with identifying insignia also by a Knight’s squires to identify which they belong to.
COAT of ARMS of ACHIEVEMENT    heraldic Device
     BADGE    heraldic insigne 
     BLAZON   heraldic device painted on shield
     DEVICE  heraldic emblem or badge sew on garments
     ESCUTCHEON   heraldic field on which Arms are emblozoned
     INSIGNIE   identifying device
COLEE/Buffet   dubbing of new knight with sword grants accolade of knighthood
      ‘SOIX PREUX!’   admonition given new knight to go out, earn their ’renown’
COMBAT/Bout/Pass   single fight between two warriors
      COMBAT of the THIRTY/Emprise  13th c. thirty English knights met  same French knights  in a no rules or weapons combat.  Nine English and six French  died.  The ‘renown‘  each gained was money, positions, glory for years afterward.
COMBATANTS  French for Emprises
     COMBAT of the THIRTY/Emprise    13th c. English knights met thirty French knights with no rules or restrictions on weapons.  Nine English and six French died while more died later from wounds received .  The ‘renown‘ that each knight earned came in money, positions and glory for years afterward.
     COMBATS of CHIVALRY  Judicial duels fought with war weapons
COMITATUS   retinue, army, company or band of warriors/men joined to one another or a leader
COMMENCAILLES  new knight’s first encounter in tournament or some who would display their prowess in single combat against equally valiant opponents.
COMMISSIONS  of ARRAY  royal orders levied on shires/boroughs to meet feudal obligations
COMPANION    member of the lowest rank in an Order of knighthood
CONFLICTUS GALLICUS   Latin for tournaments licensed in 11th c. England by Richard I using rules from France
CONROI   12th c. small groups of knights competing in tournaments together
CONSTABULARY  group of ten knights or smallest unit of knightly cavalry
COTE of ARMOUR  14th c. quilted garment worn over cote of plates or breastplate
COTE of ARMS  cote on which a knights arms are sewn, painted or embroidered
COUCH   technique holding lance under arm to steady it during a run course to reduce amount of flex and increase accuracy of a lunge
COURSE/Bout  in a joust, a single run pass with lances or swords
COURSER a swift warhorse a knights chooses over a destrier
COURT of CHIVALRY   13th c. military court under a Constable & Earl Marshall that adjudicates military matters, honor, and questions of arms
COURTESY  not of original chivalric virtues, added later from court influence and Lady’s who loved the romances
COURTESY TITLE  one step below that of the actual rank of an heir/son heir who had none of his own could use the lesser titles of his father as his own
CRUSADE  a Holy War
CRUSADE PRIVILEGES  what kings  offered knights to build up their armies, one such instance was the King of France offering knights the honor of the Albigensian Crusade if they turned on and conquered the heretic group of Cathars in his country.
CRUSADER  knight who undertook pilgrimage to Holy Lands gained great credit towards his eventual redemption, entitling feet to be crossed in the funerary effigies while those who didn’t go couldn’t.   Great honor came to William the Marshal or Godfrey de Bouillon.
CRUSADES   series of holy wars launched by Christian states against the Saracens starting 1095 when Pope Claremont preached the First Crusade at Council of Claremont. The object of the wars was to release the Holy Land/Jerusalem, but in time that ideal extended to seizing Spain from the Moors, remove the Slavs and Pagans from eastern Europe, and retake the islands of the Mediterranean.
     First Crusade   1096 - 1099 Pope Urban II aided Greeks against Turks to liberate  the Holy
     Land from the Seliuks and safe guard pilgrims to the Holy Sepulchre. 
     Second Crusade  1147 - 1148  Louis VII Prepared to attack Damascus and Pope Eugenus III  to aid crusader  states who followed Muslim conquest of Edesssa.
      Third Crusade  1189-92, Richard I, Truce with Saladin. 
      Fourth Crusade  1198, French/Flemish, Advanced on Constantinople. 
      Fifth Crusade  1202-04 Pope Innocent III: To recover the ‘Holy Places’.
      Children's Crusade 1212. A twelve-year old peasant Stephen of Cloyes, claiming  visions, led an army of children to fight in the Holy Land. Leaving Marseille, they never reached  their destination, but were probably sold into slavery in Egypt.
      Sixth Crusade 1217-21   Pope Innocent III, six year truce with Egypt expired.
     Seventh Crusade 1228-29 Emperor Frederick II married heiress of Kingdom  of Jerusalem in 1225. 
      Eighth Crusade 1248-54 Pope Innocent IV after Egyptians and Khorezmians captured Jerusalem in 1244. 
      Ninth Crusade 1270-72   Mameluk’s conquest of Arsuf  Caesarea, Haifa in 1265, and
 Antioch and Joppa around 1268.

D

DAMSEL   FR for damoiselle, young unmarried woman of gentle birth wife of a squire, not a Lady, male equivalent is Damoiseau.
DAMOISEASU   young gentleman not yet dubbed a Knight
DEFENSE   Knight’s foremost duty was to defend his liege/King/lord, his secondly duty to aid others the Church added.
DEGRADATION from KNIGHTHOOD  stripped by a King, Prince or Noble
 1.   Spurs hacked from his feet
 2.   Sword broken
 3.   Cote of Arms burned
 4.   Shield hung upside down in a public place or church
These acts came before  the knight would be charged with;
 1. Cowardice  2. Forsworn  3. Treason
** announced before knight was killed to remove his dishonor from his King or Liege Lord.
DEVICE  heraldic emblem that identifies each knight
DISDAIN  compel the performance of a duty
DISMOUNTED KNIGHT   dismounting horse to fight on foot, used as a battle tactic
DISTRAINT of KNIGHTHOOD   command requiring all land holders who held a knight’s fee be accorded the accolade of knighthood.  Some chose not to accept the office of knight/knighthood as it was a costly position with too much responsibilities.
 1. 12th c. command by Henry III
 2. 1278  command by Edward I read: ‘destrain without delay all in your bailiwick whose lands are worth twenty pounds per year, or one knight’s fee worth twenty pounds, and hold this in chief and ought to be knights but who are not, to receive from us before Christmas or on that feast the arms of a knight..."
DOUBLE ALLIANCE   to god and king
DUBBING/Colee   knighting/attunement ceremony by which squires became knights
DUEL   trial by combat or judicial duel

E

ELECTOR  sheriff appoints four Knights to serve as jury in trial by ‘Grand Assize’, also a prince/official entitled to partake in the election of an Emperor or king.
EMPRISES  French for combatants of chivalry
EMPROSE  challenge of war during Hundred Years War when knights from England and France would meet at a designated place to fight for the honor of their king.
EORLCUNDMAN   man of noble birth, a Thegan or knight
EPITHET   name/phrase describing a person, King Richard I “Richard the Lion-Hearted”
ESQUIRE   Latin ‘shield bearer’ Kings created then and bestow silver spurs on them as an armor bearer/attendant to a knight. First knight not created by King, John de Kingston 1389.  It quickly became a legal way to be made an Esquire from birth to hold an office.
ESCUAGE/Scutage   shield service to king’s army for 40 days in exchange for land
EWAGE  obligation of military service to a lord

F

FAEHTH  a feud
FAH   foe
FAIDA   blood-money
FAULD  skirt of overlapping lames riveted on leather below waist, attached to breastplate
FEAT of ARMS  display of prowess in weapons in combat/horseback and foot
FEALTY, OATH   verbal oath sworn by vassal to a lord promising faithful service
     LIEGE HOMAGE  11th c. France  requires vassal or tenants loyalty and duty to his obligations to his Lord or Liege
FEODUM MILITIS    knight's fee 
FEUDAL CHARGES/Aids  payment from vassals to their lord for things such as his going to the Crusades, his sons knighting etc.
FEUDAL LEVY   the army a lord needs to meet his obligations to field a number of knights or men-at-arms for 40 days service to the king in exchange for his land and it’s income. A liegeman was duty bound to appear at the King castle with necessary warhorse, armament and attendants specified by contract.
FEUDALISM   an exchange of land or military service
     BASTARD FEUDALISM  Lords annual payment to a vassal for his service
FEDUAL SERVICE   duties by a vassal to a lord for land which is military for a knight
FEUDAL SYSTEM  from lord to vassal, homage and fealty, and enfeoffment
FIEF/Feoff    estate of land held by homage and service to a lord
     FIEF de HAUBERT/Knight’s Fee 11th c. French fee on coat of mail (hauberk) requiring every tenant to own and wear when his services were needed, providing definite estate/peerage.
     FIEF-RENT  money or annual taxes due for the fief to the liege lord

 

G

GALLERY  audience watching a tournament or the structure itself
GARMENTS   **   See Tournament then Armor section
GAUNTLET   medieval glove usually of leather covered with metal plates, worn to protect the hand from injury in combat
GENEROSITY/LARGESSE  bestowing or receiving gifts
GENTLEMAN  one bearing arms through grant or inheritance, born of the upper class
GENTRY   English knight, or class or rank of a knight, one below the nobility
GERMAN FIGHTING MANUAL/ Fechtbuchs  by Hans Talhoffer details martial arts of medieval combat.
GLORY  knights wanted the glory of fame more than for their great deeds
GODENDAG   German for Good-day, was the ritualistic sprinkler of Holy Water on the men before they went into battle.

H

HALBERDIER  soldier armed with a halberd
HAKETON   leather jacket sometimes reinforced with mail
HALASAN   sword with a cylindrical hilt made of horn and no guard
HENCHMAN  squire or paige to a person of rank
HERSE   knight or noble in Scandinavia
HONOR   Latin for ‘fons honorum’ a knights holdings administered from one place the ‘caput honoris‘, applies only to the holdings of important men.

I

INCIDENTS  one’s feudal responsibilities to his Lord for Land Tenure.
 1. AIDS
 2. ESCHEAT
 3. FEALTY
 4. FORFEITURE
 5. HOMAGE
 6. RELIEF

J

JUDICIAL DUEL/Chivalric Duel/Trial by Combat  fought between two knights called appellant and defendant, normally a charge of dishonorable brings them together though the fight is always to the death before judges.

K

 
KNIGHT  OE Norman 1066   ‘Cniht’ mounted warrior holding rank conferred by a sovereign entitling him ‘Syr’  also a tenant owing military service as a mounted man-at-arms to a feudal landholder or king, companion of a noble.  Not an hereditary title.  
      DUTIES of a KNIGHT   serve his lord with military service each year, serve garrison duty, serve on campaign, feudal duties, to provide counsel and aid.
KNIGHT ESTATE   13th c. ‘estat’ property or holdings needed to fulfill obligations to a lord
KNIGHTHOOD ORDERS  of ENGLAND  
      BATH
      GARTER honi soit qui mal y pense
      ST. GEORGE  
      ST. MICHAEL ST. PATRICK 
      THISTLE
KNIGHT RANK:
      BACHELER   French for young Knight still a member of a military household
      BACHELIER/Bachelor  has no army unit following him, lowest order of knighthood but the
 oldest order
      BACHELOR-at-ARMS  young knight who follows another’s banner
      BANNERET   knight of wealth and status who leads 20 other knights  in his  household,  able to carry his own banner into battle\
      BANNERET  knightly order below Order of Garter, dubbed by a field ceremony
 that cuts point of his standard to create a banner.  A knight who brings a company
 of followers into war under own banner.   Nobility knights were entitled to bear full
 banners, while army. Ranked above bachelier/bachelor, usually a leader of a group.
      BANNERTES  ones knighted on the field and entitled to carry banners
           CHAMPION   bests all opponents to defend their Queen
           COMPANION   lowest of some orders of knighthood; Companion of the Bath
      ERRANT/Erraunt/Paladin  a ‘Bachelier; seeking adventure/quest for purpose of showing
 prowess to find renown in tournaments/wars to gain titles, land, riches.  A  young knight
 wore types of tokens/bracelets of a quest until ‘feat of arms’ is accomplished.  Most famous
 was William Marshal, in Arthurian  legends Lancelot, Tristan, Yvan.  
      HOUSEHOLD/Landless Knight   one who has no land
      ORDER of the GARTER (KG)  English knight of highest order, outranks a baronet.  
KNIGHT'S FEE   fief revenue had to provide sufficient coin to equip and support one knight, which was  approximately 12 hides or 1,500 acres  per year.
KNIGHTHOED/Knighthood  rank conferred by accolade or ceremony/attunement
KNIGHTS MOTTO/War Cry  motto came first before the war cry, which later came to mean the same thing.  A motto is word or sentence carried on scroll or in battle, which should have a connection with name of the bearer or the deeds of his ancestors
KNIGHT STANDARD/Flag  military, consisting of symbol carried on a pole. In medieval not square but elongated and larger, end slit making two ends, unless a prince of the blood royal.  
Usually divided into 3 portions;
1. Knights Arms
2. Cognizance or Badge  which servants wore in his household
3. Crest which was divided by bands, of which his war cry/motto was inscribed, entirely fringed with livery or family colors
**STANDARD SIZES ranged from 11 yards for an Emperor to only 4 yards for a Baron.
KNIGHT’S TENURE of SERVICE  military service owed lord for land granted
KNIGHTS WIFE in medieval times was called a Dame, later became lady

 

L

LAMBREQUIN   decorative helmet scarf
LANCE  Knights primary weapon, hence the name Free Lance when he was not sworn to any King, Lord. or House.
LANCE UNIT  men numbering less than ten who followed a knight into battle.  These units may consist only of the knight himself, one or two squires and several men-at-arms, and if the knight was lucky, possibly an archer.
LARGESSE   11th c. virtues of knights and nobles expressed by the poet Chrètien de Troyes in his romance ‘Cliges’ of a generous bestowment of gifts or money.  One of two things a knight wanted, largesse and renown.
LE LIBRE del ORDE de CAUALYERIA   Ramon Lull’s Book of the Order of Chivalry 
LEGION    division of Roman army, comprising from 3000 to 6000 soldiers
LORICATI   Latin for ‘Hauberk‘ meaning soldiers who wore a hauberk gaining that man social status.  It later came to mean ‘Knight’.

M

MAN-AT-ARMS   soldier/mounted fighter holding 60-120 land acres in exchange military service
MANOR  small holding with own court held by a knight/lord
MANTALINE   over armor, short parade mantle, elaborately decorated
MEED/Med  German,  to price, bribe, compensate of something given  
MELEE   combat of teams/groups/individuals met in the field
MERCENARY
      BASQUES  13th c. troop whose name was synonymous for all mercenaries
      CONDOTTIERE  13th c. Italian mercenary commanding his own company
      CONDOTTA   contract signed to employ such a company
      ECORCHEUR  French for ‘flayer‘ meaning mercenary companies who ravaged France during 100 Years War.
      FREE COMPANY   group of mercenaries under captains who sold their services, appearing
 around 12th c. until 14th c.  plundering and ransoming
      ROUTIER/Cottereau   mercenary companies hired by princes but who acted on own and
 continuing own style of uniforms and administrative system
MESNIE  group of knight errants fighting in tournaments/wars following a feudal lord of high noble bearing, William Marshal: The Flower of Chivalry
MESNE TENANT  a vassal of a Tenant-in-Chief
MISERICORD  dagger providing the merciful 'coup de grace' or death blow
MILITARY BELT   bestowed to a knight during knighting/aboubement ceremony by a another knight, Noble, or King in the case of mass battlefield knighting.
MONEY FIEF    military service rendered in exchange for annual payment from king

N

NINE WORTHIES, THE   14th c.  list of  nine historical figures known for their qualities of prowess and chivalry.  3 Pagan, 3 Jewish, 3 Christian.
1. Alexander the Great       4. David                         7. Joshua
2. Arthur                           5. Godfrey de Bouillon     8. Julius Caesar 
3. Charlemagne                 6. Hector                        9.  Judah  Maccabeus

O

OATH  an invocation of calling on a holy being to verify the veracity of ones statement
     OATH BREAKER  one who committed a crime against God or of some divine entity 
     OATH HELPER  one who supports  another in keeping his oath
     OATH KEEPER  one who reminds another of his vow
OATH of FEALTY  sworn oath to liege to execute duties of feudal contract between vassal and lord
ORLE   15th c. decorated wreath worn around bascinet
PROWESS/Preux/Predomme  physical attributes strength, dexterity, speed and cunning, to be a man of prowess was the highest compliment possible for a knight.
ORDENE  de CHEVALRIE   12th c. anonymous work about a knight who wants his ransom from Saladin, knights him, explaining the significance of each element of the ceremony.
ORDER  of KNIGHTHOED  body of knights elevated by Liege or King owing him allegiance as well as to the Grand Master of their order of chivalry.

P

PANOPLY   soldiers equipment
PAGE   ** See Paige and Squire
PELL vertical pole for sword training, practice at the pell, Pell-mell derived from this
PLEDGE  personal surety of one who guarantees to perform an obligation by another.
     VOW   solemn pledge of ones word
     VOWS KNIGHTLY  the promise to accomplish a feat such as military, meeting challengers in a joust, or campaigning against an enemy.  A vow became an  important element of the knightly gesture.
PROWESS/Preux/Predomme   man of dexterity, speed, and strength was paid the highest compliment possible when he was called a knight of prowess.  

Q

QUARTER   ancestral lines of decent to prove ancestor’s arms, some orders require this for admission
QUINTAIN  dummy with shield mounted on a post for combat training
QUENCING  immersing of a sword blade to cool it down

 

R

RASH BOON   quick or rash promise or pledge
RANSOM/Ransoun  in war mean capture for a large sum of money, in a tournament. the forfeiture of his armor and horse
RENOWN   reputation of a combatant based upon the virtues that others perceive in him from his word, thoughts and deeds
REQUETE  d’amour French appeal for love in a lyric
RETINUE   small troop of all types of fighting men on estate of a knight

S 

SANS REPROCHE  15th c. French ‘without reproach for knights of very high reputation
SCUTAGE   sum that the holder of a knight's fee would pay his lord in lieu of military service, sometimes used instead of tax
SERJEANT   servant accompanying a lord into battle carrying his banner, or horseman of lower status used as light cavalry, paid feudal dues of wardship, marriage, but not scutage.
SERVITUM  DEBITUM  40 day military service owed by each Knight to his King for use of land, or tenant-in-chief who provided a quota of knights for annual military service.
SOLDEIER   French mercenary /warrior below a Knight
SPEARMEN  foot soldiers not knights, carrying pikes as well as spears
SPILL   to die
SPURRER/SPURRIER   one who made spurs
SQUIRE/Esquire   one who trained to be a knight while serving a knight

T

TABARD  light garment worn over the armor embroidered with the arms of the wearer. Once worn only by knights to display COA, now only heralds and pursuivants-at-arms wear them embroidered with the arms of the sovereign.
THEGAN/Thane/Gesith  military Companion to the King in Anglo-Saxon England
TORSE   13th -15th c.  colorful cloth worn about crown of the helmet where mantling is attached, both helped to identify knights in war or tournaments.
TOURNEU   French word for mock combat for knights or re-enactors
 **  Middle English ME    ‘tourneyen or  tourneie’ 
     Old French       OF     ‘torneier or tournei or tourneier’

U

UTWARE  service

V

VALET/Varlet    a Knights servant replacing the squire in late Middle Ages
VALOR   valuation
VIGIL  knight’s watch the night before he is awarded the accolade of knighthood
VIRTUE   moral excellence
     CHASTITY  chivalric virtue whose ideal came from religious orders of knighthood Ramon Lull counseled knights to forgo the sins of lust.
     COURAGE  one of original warrior virtues, one shared by all warrior cultures, along
 with loyalty and prowess, courageous means to do the right thing.
     PIETY  faith was an important virtue while piety kept a knight’s faith strong PRIDE not a
 virtue but a value while preached against by the church
     VOW   solemn pledge of ones word
           KNIGHTLY VOW  promise to accomplish a feat
     VITENAR   man in charge of twenty melee soldiers

W

WED   a pledge