Name:

Date:

BecomingaKnightCopyright2012PDRCreations

Knights have always

hts
fascinated people. Many
Kni g
e
of th
books and movies are
e
Tabl
d
n
made about knights and
Rou
their heroic quests. Have
you ever wondered how
someone became a knight?
Sometimes, a brave soldier
would earn that title on
the battlefield for his courageous acts. But most
of the time, becoming a knight was a long process
that took years to accomplish.

Th is way

To Knighthood

Normally, a seven-year-old
boy would be sent away from
his home and family to live in
the manor or castle of a
baron or knight. There he
would learn all about
becoming a knight. Not all
boys had this opportunity.
Becoming a knight was a very
expensive process. Most
knights-in-training came from
wealthy and high-ranking
families.

BecomingaKnightCopyright2012PDRCreations

When he arrived at his new home, he

was called a page. A page learned
many things during the next seven
years. He learned useful skills such
as how to care for and handle horses
and weapons. The pages would
practice fighting with wooden
swords. They would

also try their skill at

jousting with a
practice target, a
lance and a
wooden horse.
He learned to
hunt for food, and
even how to read
and write. Part of
the duties of a
knight-in-training
was to run

errands, do chores
and serve meals. He also learned about proper
manners and being a gentleman.

BecomingaKnightCopyright2012PDRCreations

At fourteen, a page became a

squire. It was very important
for the squire to practice his
fighting skills, improve his riding
skills, and even get used to wearing

armor. His training and duties

required him to be very

physically fit.

A squire was a personal servant

to the knight or baron that he
worked under. A squires duties
included polishing the knights
armor, taking care of the
knights horses, and making sure
his weapons were in working
order. He followed him
everywhere, even into battle.
He would help his knight put on
armor, make sure his weapons
were clean and ready as well as
tend to his horse. A squire
would even have to rescue his
knight if he were in trouble.
BecomingaKnightCopyright2012PDRCreations

Finally, between the ages of eighteen and twentyone, a squire could become a knight. That is, if he
could afford his own armor and horse. The night
before the ceremony, the squire bathed to wash
away his sins and put
on new clothes. He
prayed much of the
night in the chapel.
At the official
ceremony, he would
make a pact to
uphold the code of
chivalry. He knelt in
front of the baron or
knight, or maybe
even the king. The
squire would then be
tapped on the
shoulders with a sword and dubbed a knight in
front of an enthusiastic crowd. The new knight
might even have received gifts from the baron or
knight that he served, such as a sword or armor.

BecomingaKnightCopyright2012PDRCreations

Today, people can still become

knights. However, it is only a title.
The Queen of England bestows this
honor upon people who have served
society in some special way. Even
women can have this honor. If a
woman is knighted, her title becomes
Dame. If a man is knighted, his
title becomes Sir.
List as many knights as you can
think of. They can be from the
Middle Ages, or from today.

BecomingaKnightCopyright2012PDRCreations

Name:
Date:

BecomingaKnightCopyright2012PDRCreations

Write a story about a boy who is being

sent off to live with a knight.
Remember, he is only 7 years old and has never been
away from home before.
Think about these questions as you are writing:
What was it like for him to say goodbye to his family?
What was his reaction when he arrived at the castle?
How was he greeted?
Were people nice to him?
What did he do on that first day?
Describe how he felt that first night in his new bed.
Did he want to run back home?
Was he excited about his new life in the castle?

Write a story about a squire who is about

to be knighted.
Think about these questions as you are writing:
How does he feel about finally being dubbed a knight
after all of the years of service?
How does he spend his evening before the ceremony?
Describe the ceremony.
Who attended?
What will he do after the ceremony?
Will he go off to fight in a battle?
Will he go home to visit his family?

BecomingaKnightCopyright2012PDRCreations

Write and illustrate a

comic strip
about the three stages of
a boys journey to knighthood.
Include six cells for each stage.
Make sure you include descriptions of
what is happening.
Use dialogue to help explain
what is going on.

Create a poster inviting the

townspeople to witness a
knighting ceremony.
Include a detailed description of
who is being knighted.
Give a detailed description of
what will happen.
Make sure your artwork depicts some part
of the knighting ceremony.

BecomingaKnightCopyright2012PDRCreations

Comic Strip Template

BecomingaKnightCopyright2012PDRCreations

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