![]() ![]() In time of war Squires accompanied Knights on the battlefield, leading and tending the horses and dressing them in the Medieval Knights Armor. Sometimes knighthood was conferred earlier as the reward for bravery on the battlefield. The Squire served in this role for seven years and became a Knight at the age of twenty-one. It was also their duty to enter into the social life of the castle and learn courtly etiquette, jousting, music and dancing. It was the duty of a Squire to learn about Chivalry, the rules of Heraldry, horsemanship and practise the use of weapons and the skills required of a Knight. The life of a Squire (also called Esquire) would start as a teenager, usually fourteen years of age. Fighting on piggyback introduced the young knights to the balance and skills required in mounted combat. Sword play was practised using wooden swords and shields. The wooden horse would be pulled along by two other pages towards the target and the page would aim the lance. A target was erected and the Page would mount a wooden ‘horse’ on wheels holding a lance. A Page would start to acquire the skills required of a Knight by practising the skills of tilting a lance. These young boys received an education and were taught religion, manners, riding, hunting, hawking and strategic games such as backgammon and chess. The Page was provided with a uniform of the colours and livery of the Lord. It was the duty of a Page to wait at table, care for the Lord’s clothes and assist them in dressing. ![]() The life of a castle Page would start at a very young age - seven years old. Weapon practise included enhancing skills in the two-handed sword, battle axe, mace, dagger and lance. It was the duty of a Knight to learn how to fight and so serve their Lord according to the Code of Chivalry. A knight would start their life in a castle as a Page and then move up to the role of a Squire. ![]()
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