A magisterial history of the origins, reality, and legend of the knight. Born out of the chaos of the early Middle Ages, the armored and highly mobile knight revolutionized warfare and quickly became a mythic figure in history. From the Knights Templars and English knighthood to the crusades and chivalry, The Knight in History, by acclaimed medievalist Frances Gies, bestselling coauthor of Life in a Medieval Castle, paints a remarkable true picture...

Introduces the characteristics and behavior of medieval knights through a variety of crafts

"Forget jousts and quests and dragons, a real knight had real work to do, lots of mouths to feed, and trouble could ride over the hill at any moment. Castles were dark, armor was uncomfortable, and jousts and tournaments (not to mention real battles) were dangerous, and expensive."--Barnes & Noble

An overview of the lifestyle and changing role of the knight during the Middle Ages

This handbook for knights covers everything from sieges and swordplay to feasts and fights

This illustrated dictionary includes customs, events, items of clothing and armor, historical figures, and places of the Middle Ages

Presents a day in the life of a medieval lord as he runs the land over which he holds power

Here is an inside look at the history of medieval knights and their armor, jousting, heraldry, and crusades. The life of the knight is considered from battles and banquets to sieges and chivalry.