The time of medieval chivalry still excites the minds of people. How noble warriors lived is known only from historical chronicles or romantic literature of that time. But over the past few centuries, the facts have been distorted, and the concept of chivalry has acquired many myths. This review presents 5 of the most popular misconceptions about medieval knights.
1. Being in armor, the knight could not independently climb the horse
Knight Tournament. Historical reconstruction
Photo: all-anapa.ru
Speaking of the Middle Ages, people used to think that the knights, clad in armor, could not even move independently, and if they fell, then it was not possible to get up without outside help. There is little truth in this statement. Knights wore heavy armor only during tournaments to avoid injury. But at any other time, and even more so, in battles on the battlefield, the armor of the knights did not exceed 20 kg. If he walked in peacetime along the streets of cities, then the helmet, mittens and shins were removed, since everything was on convenient fasteners.
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2. Knights in armor are invulnerable
Portrait of Emperor Maximilian I. Peter Paul Rubens, circa 1618
Photo: fineartamerica.com
The myth of the invulnerability of knights in armor is more inspired by romantic literature. At the dawn of chivalry, it was really difficult to kill a warrior, more often he was stunned. But with the advent of crossbows, more powerful bows with armor-piercing arrows, no armor could save the knights.
3. Knights neglected hygiene
Knights outfit
Photo: illustrators.ru
Many people think that the knights smelled terribly from the fact that, because of the armor, they often walked by themselves. In the Middle Ages, the issue of hygiene was generally acute, so noble warriors behaved just like everyone else. But that didn’t mean that they didn’t care how to go to the toilet. The armor was made in such a way as to simplify the natural physiological procedure as much as possible.
Pants, in the modern sense, were not then. The knights wore chasses - high stockings that were attached to the belt. Later in the 15th century, the braguet appeared - a flap in front. And the unpleasant smell from the warriors is easy to explain: if you put on all the knightly uniforms and take a sword in your hands, and wave it at least for half an hour, then the smell of sweat mixed with dirt will not keep you waiting long.
4. Thousands of armies of knights
Knight cavalry
Photo: 1zoom.ru
Another misconception about knights is their large number. In the 13th century, England and France had just under 3,000 knights. Despite such a small number, the knightly cavalry, clad in armor, was a serious type of troops. The infantry was made up of commoners, the arrows provided cover, and the knights were the strike force.
Another important factor in the relatively small number of knights was the limited number of hardy fighting horses capable of carrying metal armor and a rider in armor. Closer to the XIII century, the knights acquired a high social status, so they were in no hurry to admit anyone to the circle of the elite.
5. Knights "went to feats" alone
Don Quixote and Sancho Panza
Photo: mkrf.ru
In knightly novels, the plot of a knight's journey to exploits alone is very popular. But this delusion did not correspond to reality. Every noble warrior carried with him a so-called "spear" - a small group consisting of squires, pages, archers, swordsmen. And since all this "entourage" was of ignoble blood, they could not be considered people. So it turns out that the knight supposedly traveled alone.