From Melissa Snell,
Your Guide to Medieval History.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Welcome to Knight Life!

I have always been fascinated by the image of the "knight in shining armor," and I'm sure I'm not alone. Who hasn't wondered what it was really like to live the life of a knight?

The middle ages were a time of frequent war and brittle peace, grand spectacles and devastating plague, high moral standards and bitter persecution. It was a time of the brightest hope and the darkest despair. Through it all the knight was there, an integral part of society and the events that make up our history.

But just what was a knight? What did it take to become one, and what were his duties and responsibilities? What forces influenced his behavior and steered the course of his life? What was his place in medieval society? What was the daily life of a knight really like?

With Knight Life, I'd like to explore all these questions and more here at the Medieval History site. This is an open-ended series that will look at every facet of the life of a medieval knight. There's a lot to learn, and I hope you'll join me as we explore the Knight Life.

Check out Issue #1 of Knight Life: Defining the Knight.
View the Knight Life Table of Contents
Visit your Guide's picks for the Top 7 Books about Knights