Duties for Knights
Knights played a vital role in the life of medieval Europe. They stood between the peasants and the ruling classes, the former working for them, whilst they in turn worked for the latter. One part ruler, one part warrior, one part servant, their unique position distinguished them from other classes in the medieval world.
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The Knight as Military Servant
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Knight as a word has it's origins in the Germanic word "Knecht", the literal translation of which is "military servant". Being called upon to go to war with their lord was the most literal and perhaps the most important of the knight's duties.
The Knight as Landed Nobility
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Peasants served a knight just as the knight in turn served a lord or king. Knights were given parcels of land, often known as manors, to rule. These were either inherited or in some cases granted to them as a reward for success on the battlefield. The peasants who worked that land were taxed by the knight, who in turn paid these taxes up the hierarchical structure.
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The Knight as Chivalrous Ideal
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Knights were also expected to comport themselves in a specific way, under the Chivalric Code. The code revolved around loyalty to the church, their fellow men, and women. The duties nested within these included mercy, valor, the willingness to die for a greater ideal, being gentle to women and obeying God above their feudal lord.
The Knight as Defender of the Faith
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Loyalty was an integral part of a knight's life and duties. In keeping with that, religious faith was extremely important, and knights were tasked with protecting the citizens and the church in the name of God.
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References
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