Knight: Did you mean...?

Page from the early 14th-century Codex Manesse - an illuminated book of poetry composed in Middle High German - depicting Henry I, Count of Anhalt participating in a tournament.

In the Middle Ages, knights were at the top of the social ladder. With the best training, the best clothes, the best weapons and, supposedly, the best manners, they were what everyone else aspired to be. Tales of daring deeds and chivalry...

A statue of Sir William Wallace (c. 1270-1305 CE), a Scottish knight and national hero who fought for his country’s independence from England. (Edinburgh Castle)

The tomb of the famous English knight Sir William Marshal (c. 1146-1219 CE), who was also Protector of the Kingdom and regent for Henry III (1216-1272 CE). Temple Church, London.

A statue of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar - 'El Cid' (1043-1099 CE) the famed Spanish knight and general. Arco de Santa Maria, Burgos Spain.

Sir James Douglas, aka 'Black Douglas' (c. 1286-1330 CE), a Scottish knight who fought for his country's independence from England. He is here shown with fellow fighters Robert Bruce and William Wallace. (Entrance hall frieze by William Hole...

A medieval Great Sword, c. 1400 CE. This weapon was the typical weapon of a European knight. L. 40 1/4 in. (102.2 cm); L. of blade 32 in. (81.3 cm); Wt. 3 lb. 11 oz. (1673 g). (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

Robert Guiscard (c. 1015-1085 CE) was a Norman knight who fought with success against the Byzantine and Arab Empires. Painting by Merry-Joseph Blondel (1781–1853 CE). (Palace of Versailles, France)

The Germanic hero knight Siegfried and Kriemhild, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1794–1872 CE). (National Gallery, Berlin)

A statue of Robert du Guesclin (c.1320-1380 CE), a French knight and national hero also known as the ‘Eagle of Brittany’. (Sculptor: Emmanuel Fremiet. Dinan, France)