How to Train a Knight

Back in my younger day, before Tavern-Keeping and even before heading up a Kingdom, I was a lowly Knight. I say, 'lowly' because there was always a more pointy lance, a faster sword, and a sharper dagger somewhere out there waiting to take a lad down.

And it was a job a chap did on his own. 

Yes he had squires and fellow Knights but when he was strapped into his armour and rode off, it was him against another Knight. He prayed quite a lot.

Most Knights in the field were 'second sons'. Their older bros were mostly full-time farmers who had inherited Dad's place and the rules of Primogeniture were there to keep the land-holding in one piece. So second sons were given a horse and a sword and told to bugger off.

His training was cumbersome and short - like his chances -  unless he found a skilled 'Master' to teach him the ropes.

Today it is far and away more difficult.

The Knight was worth at least a hundred foot-soldiers. Today's Knights have more power to wield than an entire army of yore.

And to have his steed strapped to his arse and go into battle takes a far longer time and far more training. 

Many fine men do not make it.

He first has to learn the 'horse' and how to handle it. He will start on a donkey. Then he will get a spirited pony; then a horse. Only when he can actually steer it will he be taught to fight on it. He will practice until he stops falling off.

The Tavern Restaurant is always busy before battle.

So, fill up and let us pick up today's efforts at the point where he has all the early part under his helmet and is given a War Horse.

God Bless our young men.

Get it right and they might become a King one day.

Just do not sin as I did.

Pax: for some as earns it.