Initiation into knights: ancient tradition and its meaning

Initiation into the knights is described in many historical essays and works of art. And like any other tradition, it has its own history.

Initiation into the Knights: A Brief History

In fact, for the first time such a rite was conducted in the ancient Germanic tribes many years before the first knights appeared. After the youth reached the age of majority, the father or a respected member of the community handed him a sword and a spear. Now the young man was considered a full member of the tribe.

In Christian times this tradition was revived, however, with some differences. In the fifteenth century, as a rule, fifteen-year-old boys became knights. By the way, during this period, such a title could get a not very noble person or even a simple peasant.

But as the states progressed, the knights became more and more a closed, elite group. The young men were first given to education in a noble family, where they performed the functions of squires. The rite of initiation was carried out mainly among men not older than 21 years. It is interesting that by the beginning of the 18th century even some barons and people with title and lands remained without initiation. After all, the rite was associated with great financial costs.

Initiation into the knights: preparing for the holiday

In fact, initiation was a very important stage in the life of a man, therefore, and prepared for this holiday thoroughly.

At first the young squire had to apply to his lord or other high-ranking official. After that, the biography of a potential knight was scrutinized: other members of the society had to be convinced with his boldness, honesty, straightforwardness and other qualities.

As a rule, initiation was attached to a church holiday, to further emphasize the importance of the event and the responsibility of the future knight. Until the appointed date, the young man should have fasted, spend as much time as possible for prayer and repentance. The last night before the holiday the candidate was to be held in the church.

And at dawn he was taken away by old knights, who took him to the traditional procedure of ablution. A young man was dressed in a simple linen tunic, and a sling with a sword was hung around his neck.

Initiation into the knights: how did it look?

After ceremonial bathing the candidate, accompanied by a whole procession, was led to the appointed place. As a rule, it was a church or a chapel, although there is information about holding a rite in a castle or a clean field.

At the ceremony, the future knight was helped to armor. After that, the priest held a liturgy in honor of the Holy Spirit. By the way, the candidate had to kneel all the time. Next, we should read the book of knightly laws. That is how the young man was informed of his duties to the lord, the king and the Christian church.

After acquainting himself with the laws, the sovereign or the seigneur approached the candidate, who struck him on the shoulder with a sword. The knight's oath, which the rookie recited at the same time, contained the promise of loyalty to God and the sovereign, protecting the country from any threat.

Next, the newly minted knight wore golden spurs, which symbolized dignity. Another important part of the outfit is the shield, on which the coat of arms of the family was depicted. But the sword was associated with the cross - it symbolized justice. In fact, every part of the armor had its own meaning.

At the end of the rite, a knight was led to the knight. Now a noble man was driving along the street to loud, enthusiastic shouts of peasants, fellow-fighters and, of course, beautiful ladies.

Now for a young man began a real adult life. Of course, the main duty of the knight was to participate in military campaigns or to protect and strengthen the state's frontier territories.