What medieval rites are depicted in ancient miniatures: a brief description

The question of what medieval rituals are depicted in ancient miniatures is quite often encountered in various school assignments (exercises, olympiads, etc.). Work with illustrative material is important, as it forms a clear picture of the life of people of that distant time. Drawings help to better remember the features of clothing, weapons, homes of representatives of the military and higher classes, because they are most often depicted in the pictures.

Knight Initiation - Girdling

When answering the question of what medieval rituals are depicted in ancient miniatures, it should be remembered that in these drawings, as a rule, scenes were depicted which were of particular importance for the life of the society of the time under consideration. One of the most common compositions is the knight initiation ceremony.

This is because the society was hierarchical. Almost every person was involved in a system of vassal relationships. Warriors also occupied a prominent place in the hierarchical structure. In order to become a member of a knightly corporation, it was necessary to pass a special rite, which was to encircle the sword. Therefore, when it comes to what kind of medieval rituals are depicted in ancient miniatures, it must be remembered that this particular scene is encountered especially often.

Knight Initiation - sword blow

The above-described variant of initiation goes back to the time of barbarous time. The peculiarities of the ceremony were influenced by the ancient German customs of the era of military democracy. Before the warrior became a knight, he went through a long and arduous journey of performing the duties of the squire, participated in the battles, and at the same time he had to perform a military feat. That is why the ceremonial was so carefully painted and regulated. The latter circumstance should be taken into account when studying what medieval rituals are depicted in ancient miniatures.

There was another way of knighting - a sword on the shoulder of a pretender knight. This option is also quite common in the pictures. However, it refers to the period of the developed Middle Ages. Moreover, this ceremony is mentioned in the famous novel Don Quixote.

Vassal oath

Another way to enter the hierarchical system was to swear an oath to the vassal. «оммаж». In the French version this rite was called hommage - "homage". Knights always gave an oath of allegiance to their master - the man who gave them land, for which they were obliged to carry military service. It is this scene that often depicts medieval rites in ancient miniatures. In the 6th grade in the history books there is a lot of information on this topic. This rite assumed the utterance of the oath, and then the exchange of a kiss, symbolizing fidelity.