Knights were the most-feared and best-protected warriors on the medieval battlefield, while off it, they were amongst the most fashionably dressed and best-mannered members of society. To reach this elevated position, however, became more and more challenging as the Middle Ages wore on because the elite wished to maintain their exclusive status.
More about: Medieval KnightDefinition
Timeline
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c. 1015 - 1085Life of the Norman knight Robert Guiscard.
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c. 1043 - 1099Life of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, El Cid.
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1113The Knights Hospitaller are recognised as a religious order by Pope Paschal II.
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c. 1119Foundation of the military order the Knights Templar.
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c. 1146 - 1219The life of the great English knight Sir William Marshal.
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May 1198The Order of Teutonic Knights is officially sanctioned by Pope Innocent III.
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1212Prince Alexander, future Alexander II of Scotland, is knighted by King John of England in Westminster.
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1244The Teutonic Order adopts a white surcoat and black cross insignia for all knights.
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c. 1270 - 1305Life of the Scottish knight Sir William Wallace.
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1286 - 1330Life of the Scottish knight Sir James Douglas ('the Black Douglas').
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c. 1320 - 1380Life of the French knight Bertrand du Guesclin, a national hero also known as the "Eagle of Brittany".
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1344Windsor Castle hosts a great medieval tournament involving 200 knights.
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12 Jul 1346Edward the Black Prince is knighted by his father Edward III of England.
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c. 1348Edward III of England creates the Order of the Garter, a chivalric order for knights with its headquarters at Windsor Castle
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1364 - 1403Life of the English knight Sir Henry Percy, also known as 'Hotspur'.
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c. 1470The ballad 'The Acts and Deeds of Sir William Wallace, Knight of Elderslie' is composed.
