The Illustrated History of Knights & Crusades

In origin the knight was a mounted warrior, the name in German, Spanish and French meant 'horseman', and the knight of the Middle Ages had a relationship of almost religious intensity with not only his horse, but also his weapons. However, the knights who rode as 'soldiers of Christ' to the Holy Land on crusade, and those who jousted in the lists were more than mounted warriors. They certainly honoured bravery and courage, and were renowned for their prowess in battle, but they also aspired to a range of qualities outside the military - Christian faith, courtesy, generosity, loyalty and moderation - that were connected to a world of social and religious obligation. The extraordinary world of the knight, with its oaths of allegiance, love of honour, and warrior status, probably found its ultimate expression in the crusades. The crusaders? enterprise retains a heroic element, a seemingly impossible objective entered into with enormous faith, self belief and courage. With this noble story, however, comes a darker side that casts a troubling shadow across the ages, and the study of the cause and events of these medieval wars of faith remains highly relevant. This book examines both the life and position of the medieval knight, from courtly page to war hero, including the training, tournaments, obligations, honours and exploits of these 'men of iron'. It describes how the order of the knight began, his rigorous apprenticeship, the world of his castle, and his pursuit of the noble arts of hawking, jousting, hunting and music. It also discusses the code of chivalry and debates how knights attempted to live up to its ideals, and how legend, romance, art and literature have been inspired by their history and mythology. This violent, turbulent world with its epic battles, romantic ideals and the entertainment extravaganza of the tournament is brought to life in this expertly researched and beautifully illustrated volume, containing over 850 fine art images.… (more)