Life of a knight Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Life of a knight - Essay Example life under the constant stress of managing his estate, engaging in warfare both real and simulated, as well as conducting himself in such a way as to comport with the social expectations and the chivalric code of his day. Considering the everyday life that the knight actually endured, a thorough investigation reveals his existence to be more rigorous, dangerous, and demanding than that described in stories. One of the most easily-recognized aspects of the life of the knight is his castle. The romantic notion of a shiny building on a hill is not so realistic. The idea of even having a castle was rooted in the need to defend the land; it was a necessity for protection from Viking or other foreign raiders as well as rival political factions in the kingdom. Early castles were little more than dirt berms reinforced with timber beams. As civil society developed, the castle evolved into a center of commerce, more comfortable quarters for the knight’s family and servants as well as a key military defense post. In terms of its protective role, Singman notes that an â€Å"[e]ffective response to the military challenges of the medieval world required the power of a great lord...[and] the castle had arisen as the distinctive seat of a great feudal lords power† (105). The family of the knight also lived in the castle, and the local village populations looked to it as a source of protection, provision, and justice. In addition to providing military support for the kingdom, the knight was charged with overseeing the provision of the necessities of life and arbitrating the quarrels of the residents within his area. When he wasn’t fighting, the knight was ensuring that enough food, fuel, supplies, and entertainment were there for his people. He would also spend time sitting in a large room and settling the disputes of his serfs, much like a modern-day judge. His daily life, in addition to fighting or practicing his combat skills, was filled with family and social