A well-trained knight was a skilled killing machine adept at the strengths and proper usage of the most common weapons of the time.  In the Middle Ages these could include weapons for bashing and smashing such as the mace, flail, morning-star; for cutting, and slicing the hand axe, battle-axe and halberd were preferred; when cutting and stabbing were called for the dagger, one handed sword, hand and a half bastard sword and the massive two-handed sword were the most commonly used.  All knights were trained in the use of the lance for mounted combat, and most could shoot the crossbow or bow.  All these weapons took years of practice to master and most knights practiced as if their lives depended upon it, as it would in real combat.

When it came to armor, a knight could always be counted on to purchase the best they could afford.  The poorest knights might be forced to use quilted, Brigantine or at worst hardened leather.  Those with more means would wear scalemail, chainmail or chain and plate while the wealthiest would have the best protection by using full plate.

The Dark Ages (of Western Europe)

The term "the Dark Ages" is an imprecise label for the time period in mostly Western Europe after the Fall of the Roma Empire to some period in the Middle Ages.  The period generally lasted from the 5th to 9th centuries C.E.  The Dark Ages were hallmarked by the reduction of large cities, as well as the loss of population, technology, trade, central government and in general the higher civilization of the Roman World.  During this time, Western Europe devolved from one empire into literally thousands of kingdoms, principalities, duchies, city states and the like.  It was truly an era were "Might makes Right" was the rule.

The one unifying factor of the period was the Roman Christian faith that withstood the fall of the empire and expanded into the myriad of new states that were forming in Europe.  For centuries the Church kept the light of reading and writing lit in a part of the World that had lost the need for such a skill.

With the coming of Charlemagne, in the 9th century, the losses of the Dark Ages were slowly reversed and the growth of the Middle Ages truly begun.   Yet it would still be several centuries before the Renaissance would fully push Europe onto the road of technological and social growth that would propel humankind into the Modern of today.

Stages of Knighthood

The Page Boy (Varlet) 5 to 14:

Lives at another knight's castle-Learns basic skills of weapons & tactics-Taught to be religious, graceful, quick & strong

The Squire 15-19:

Sharpens his hunting & fighting skills-Cleaned & prepared knights equipment-Dressed the knight-Accompanied knight on campaign-Learns the Code of Chivalry

Knight 20+:

Becomes a Vassal to a Lord who gives the knight his "spurs" and Fief

Follows the Code of Chivalry (Honor):-Loyalty to his Lord--Faithful to his lady love--Loyal to the Church--Protect weak/poor/helpless/women/children-Be brave, well trained & bear hardship-Be fair, just, kind & truthful

Gives Homage-honor and service to his Lord

The Lord (a knight himself) could be a hard taskmaster, regardless, a knights duty was to follow his Lords orders without fail.

New Empire-New Emperor-Charlemagne

The 1st great empire to be formed out of the wreckage of the Western Roman Empire was welded together under the long reign (768-814 CE) of Charlemagne (Charles the Great).

For more than half a century, Charlemagne led his armies to victories throughout Western Europe. His extended empire covered territories ranging from Spain to Germany and much of Italy.

The rule of Charlemagne, greatest of the Carolingian kings of the Franks, marked the end of the "Dark Ages" of Western Europe. From his time forward Western Europe began the long advance towards regaining the prominent position in the world that was lost with the Fall of Western Rome in the 5th Century.

In 800 CE, he was anointed Imperator Romanorum (Emperor of the Romans) by Pope Leo III. Charlemagne was the first Emperor to rule in the West since the Fall of Rome. His title signaled a new strength in government and social order in Europe. His promotion of education through new schools began a pattern of growth that would lead to the first great universities of the Middle Ages. Knowledge would now grow, slowly at first, but definitely grow, ending the centuries of loss known as the Dark Ages.

As with so many great leaders, his son and grandchildren could not live up to his legacy and his empire was soon divided into three warring states. But while his empire fell, the rest of Europe passed out of the dark and towards a brighter future.

The Illuminated Manuscript

Art and written language blended for the glory of God in the Monasteries of the Dark Ages and Middle Ages.

The illumination of the beginning letter of a page or paragraph could be a stylistic design or a picture scene of common sights of the era.

Scenes of work were common, here a woman leads a class of geometry a rarity and therefore notable occurrence during this time.

Books were rare and expensive works of knowledge and art.

Most books were of a religious nature so the themes and stories were often illustrated in rich detail for those that could afford the final product.

Vikings-Terror from the North

"Oh Senior Servo nos ex saevio of Nordic populus" (Oh Lord save us from the rage of the Nordic people). was the prayer uttered by thousands from the 8th to 11th centuries as Viking Raiders slashed their way through Western Europe.

The Viking Longboat was sturdy and shallow draft allowing both long distance ocean sailing and the ability to easily travel the rivers of Europe.
The most fearsome sight in the 8th & 9th centuries-Norsemen raiders swarming ashore bring death and destruction.

By the 1100's the Vikings had conquered and settled much of Europe. Yet as they were never organized under a single ruler their power quickly faded. As with so many other invaders, once the damage was done they settled down and were incorporated into the local cultures adding many of their own ideas and creating a new and in most cases stronger society.

Coats of Arms

With the Fall of Rome Western Europe became a land of hundreds of petty states with thousands of "Lords" ruling as much of the countryside as they could take. These Lords took on titles such as Knight (an old Roman title), Baron, Count and the like. It became important to be able to identify each individual family so a system of Coats of Arms was established so that no two Lords had the exact same colors or designs. Some of the designs were simple and others more complex. Everything had a meaning; from the colors one chose to the objects of design.

Blue represented truth and loyalty, the lion was for courage and the cross stood for unity of Heaven and Earth.

The Royal Coat of Arms of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II shows four separate shields that symbolize the kingdoms united under her rule. Her motto "Dieu et Mon Droit" means "God and My Right"

The Coat of Arms of His Royal Highness Prince William, future King of England. The white toothed bar at the top signifies his place as the eldest son.

Endless Barbarian Waves

For more than three centuries the Legions of Rome fought off seemingly endless waves of Barbarian Tribes. The high quality of the legionnaires, organization of the Empire and top-quality defenses, all helped to hold back the initial waves. Yet each successive assault was stronger than the last. No matter how many victories the Romans achieved there was always another tribe to face.


>Visigoth Warrior

Germans, Alamanni, Vandals, Goths, Suebi, Visigoths, Franks, Huns, Picts, Ostrogoths, Jutes, Anglo & Saxons all slammed into the Empire adding more and more pressure until the defenses began to crack.
>Saxon Warrior

At first a trickle and then a steady stream of Barbarians entered the Empire, some to raid, some to join the Roman Army and some to set up permanent homes.

>the dreaded Huns, terror on horseback

Finally, a flood of Barbarians broke into and overwhelmed the Western Empire. The city of Rome fell to the Ostrogoths, was looted and the last Western Emperor, Romulus Augustus, was captured in 476 CE.

>Theodoric the Ostrogoth, King of Italy, lead the barbarians that ended Western Roman Empire. The Empire and Emperor were now replaced by kings and petty states. A major turning point in world history had been reached, as the Darks Ages in Europe began.