Dominic Stone
Knights in the Middle Ages were some of the fittest and strongest warriors of their time. They trained hard to stay in shape, just like modern athletes, and underwent intense training from a young age to prepare for the physical and tactical demands of battle. Their training focused on strength, endurance, and coordination, which were essential for handling heavy weapons and wearing heavy armour. While there was no standardized training, knights likely engaged in various physical activities such as running, jumping, wrestling, and dancing, in addition to weapons handling and horse-riding practice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Training | Knights trained very hard to stay in shape, similar to modern athletes |
| Training methods | Running long distances, foot marches, jumping, wrestling, dancing, fencing, throwing and pushing stones, hunting, jousting, tournaments, warlike games |
| Weapons | Swords, lances |
| Armour | Armour weighing 25kg or more |
| Training frequency | Twice a day, for two hours each |
| Diet | Low-fat |
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What You'll Learn
Knights trained very hard to stay in shape
Knights were also trained in weapons handling and horse riding from childhood. They would practice with the lance and sword, and sometimes with weapons that were made deliberately heavier than those used in battle to make real fighting seem easier. Knights also engaged in hunting wild animals and falconry, which provided useful meat dishes for the knight's table.
The story of the French knight Jean II Le Maingre “Boucicaut” and his training to become a great warrior is often used as an example of the training that knights of his time would have undergone. This included running long distances and regular practice of various movements while wearing armour.
Medieval knights were known for their chivalry, and their position in society was one of high status and often wealth. However, it took a lot of training to get there, and they had to be very well prepared physically. Fighting in heavy armour for a prolonged period of time demanded stamina and muscle endurance, and medieval combat was strenuous, requiring a great deal of skill and physical conditioning.
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They would have been trained from a young age
Medieval knights were some of the fittest and strongest warriors of their time. They had to undergo a lot of training to get there, and many were trained from a young age. Boys would have been trained from a very early age, working hard physically all day to acquire the strength, fitness, and skills required to become a medieval jouster.
Knights were trained in weapons handling and horse riding from childhood. They would have been trained to throw and push stones, dance and jump, fence and wrestle, and run at the lance. They would also have learned to hunt wild animals and practice falconry, which were useful skills for a knight and provided meat for the knight's table.
Knights would also have been trained to fight in heavy armor, which would have been very physically demanding. They would have run long distances and practiced various movements while wearing armor, which would have weighed 25kg or more. This would have increased their endurance for long battles.
The training of a knight would have been very rigorous and demanding, requiring a lot of dedication and hard work. This is evident from the biography of the French knight Jean II Le Maingre “Boucicaut”, which describes the kind of training he underwent to become a great warrior.
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They would practice wearing armour to increase endurance
Medieval knights trained their muscles hard to stay in shape, just like modern athletes. Fighting in heavy armour for a prolonged period of time demanded stamina and muscle endurance. To increase their endurance, knights would practice wearing armour.
One French knight, Jean II Le Maingre (also known as Boucicaut), developed a rigorous training technique that required a full suit of armour to perform. He would train twice a day for two hours at a time. This would include running long distances and regular practice of various movements while wearing armour.
Knights would also march in foot, probably wearing full armour to get used to the weight, and run and jump over obstacles. They might also dance, sometimes wearing armour, or over a shield or a couple of swords to improve their footwork. Knights would also practice throwing and pushing stones, fencing, wrestling, and running at the lance.
All of these exercises would help to increase the knight's endurance, allowing them to fight in heavy armour for extended periods of time without tiring. This type of training was likely replicated by other knights of the time, as it made sense for them to train in a way that mimicked real battle conditions.
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Squires trained with lances and swords
Medieval knights trained rigorously to stay in shape, and their training regimens were designed to increase their endurance for battle. Their training included foot marches, running and jumping over obstacles, and dancing—sometimes in full armour. Knights also trained with weapons, including swords, lances, axes, maces, and daggers.
Squires, the young boys training to become knights, also trained with lances and swords. Boys became pages at the age of seven and then squires at fourteen. As squires, they continued to practice with wooden swords and lances, sometimes alongside the knights themselves. They also wore chainmail armour to get accustomed to its weight and, as they got older, exercised in full armour. Squires would assist knights in tournaments and travel, carrying and cleaning armour, tending to the knight's horses, and packing baggage. Upon turning twenty-one, a squire was ready to be knighted.
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Knights were also trained in chivalry
Medieval knights trained rigorously to maintain their physical fitness, engaging in activities such as running, jumping, dancing, and fencing. They also practised with weapons and armour to enhance their endurance for prolonged battles. The French knight Jean II Le Maingre, also known as "Boucicaut", is renowned for his embodiment of chivalry.
The concept of chivalry evolved over time, with the late 11th and 12th centuries witnessing a growing emphasis on knights adopting a professional code to earn respectability. However, the interpretation of chivalry varied, and some knights engaged in destructive behaviours such as looting, raping, and burning during wartime. The ideal knight, as portrayed in stories and poems, exemplified chivalry, but in reality, many knights fell short of this standard.
Chivalry encompassed a range of virtues and actions. Knights were expected to treat captives and opponents with fairness and respect, even in times of war. They were to display courtesy in their conduct, including when fighting. For instance, it was considered discourteous to attempt to injure an enemy's horse, and a knight should offer the opportunity to remount if the opponent was unhorsed. Chivalry also extended to interactions with women, where knights were expected to be respectful and polite, although this often applied more to noble women than to commoners.
Overall, the training of medieval knights extended beyond physical conditioning to include instruction in chivalry, a code that shaped their behaviour, conduct, and treatment of others. Chivalry, with its evolving interpretations, sought to establish a sense of honour and decorum among knights, even as they navigated the violent realities of the Middle Ages.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, medieval knights trained very hard to stay in shape, similar to modern athletes. They took part in a range of physiological tests, similar to those used when training Olympic athletes.
Knights would have trained from a very early age, working hard physically to build the strength, fitness, and skill required to become a jousters. This included running long distances and practicing various movements while wearing armour. Knights also practiced wrestling, fencing, and dancing, and sometimes did these exercises in armour to increase their endurance.
Yes, knights would train with weapons that were sometimes made deliberately heavier than those used in battle.
Yes, knights trained twice a day, for two hours at a time.
