Boys were sent to the homes of lords and relatives at the age of seven to begin their training as a page. At the age of fourteen to twenty-one, the knights in training would be called squires. The training revolved around weapons skills with swords, axes, maces, daggers and lances. They were also trained in horsemanship. As a page, the knight in training would practices their lance skills by mounting a wooden horse and aiming for a target whilst the horse was pulled along. Pages would practise sword skills using wooden swords and skills. As a squire, the knight in training would further perfect his lance skills using a tool called the quintain. The quintain was a shield and dummy which was suspended from a swinging pole. After charging at the quintain, the squire would have to avoid the arms of the quintain and refrain from falling off the saddle. Knighthood training also required knowledge of siege warfare including castle defence strategies and siege weapons. Training also included the ability to withstand extreme temperatures, tiredness and hunger. Apprentice knights also attended tournaments.
Knights wore chainmail in the early years but then progressed to full metal armour. The shields they used were usually made of either wood or metal, and had the family seal on it to identify the knight. The main weapon the knight used was the sword which was fastened around the waist. Knights also used, maces, knives, lances and battle axes.
Knights wore chainmail in the early years but then progressed to full metal armour. The shields they used were usually made of either wood or metal, and had the family seal on it to identify the knight. The main weapon the knight used was the sword which was fastened around the waist. Knights also used, maces, knives, lances and battle axes.