Knight

by Christopher Gravett

Published 11 May 1993
Discusses the age of knighthood, covering such aspects as arms, armor, training, ceremonies, tournaments, the code of chivalry, and the Crusades.

Medieval castles were incredible feats of construction designed for military efficiency. This book tells the story of how they were built and the unique features incorporated into them for added defence.A castle was more than a building to attack and defend. It was a whole community designed to be self-sufficient in times of siege. As well as the lord and lady we see into the lives of other castle residents including the squires training for knighthood the jesters who entertained at banquets and the many others involved in daily chores such as cooking repairing masonry and woodwork and making clothes. Written by Christopher Gravett of the Royal Armouries at the Tower of London Castle provides a fascinating fly-on-the wall look at war and peace in the medieval period.

Take an inside look at the life of a knight — from battles and banquets to sieges and chivalry — in this updated edition of Eyewitness: Knight. Illustrations, maps, charts, and timelines look at the history of medieval knights and their armor, jousting, heraldry, hawking, and crusades. With content appropriate for 8 – 12 year olds, the book covers everything from the very first knights to the decline of chivalry.

Each book retains the stunning artworks and photography from the groundbreaking original series, but the text has been reduced and reworked to speak more clearly to younger readers. Still on every colorful page: Vibrant annotated photographs and the integrated text-and-pictures approach that makes Eyewitness a perennial favorite of parents, teachers, and school-age kids.


Be an eyewitness to the exciting world of the medieval castle, from the dramatic methods used to defend and attack castles to what life was really like for the people living inside its mighty battlements.


Did you know caltrops - nasty looking spiked objects - used to be scattered over the ground before battle to injure animals or men who trod on them?
Take a look at what the life of a knight was really like, from young squires learning the trade to weaponry, armour and battle.


The knights of the Middle Ages are frequently portrayed hunting jousting or courting their ladies yet the age of chivalry was also a time of wars and social unrest. This is the behind-the-scenes story of what the life of a knight was really like.The book shows full suits of armour some elaborately decorated and the weapons used by knights including swords flanged maces and lances. Discover what life in a castle was like during peacetime and how the invention of firearms signalled the eventual decline of chivalry and the replacement of knights with professional soldiers.Featuring many items from the fantastic Wallace Collection in London Knight is a unique and absorbing introduction to every aspect of knightly life and behaviour in war and peace.