History glossary
Knight
a mounted warrior in medieval Europe, often tied to noble status, landholding, military service, and ideals of chivalry.
- Category
- Medieval society
- Region
- Medieval Europe
- Date range
- c. 9th-16th centuries
What it means
A knight was a trained mounted warrior in medieval Europe. Knights were often connected to noble families, lord-vassal relationships, landholding, and military service, though their exact status varied. In the Crusades, many knights took religious vows to fight as armed pilgrims, and military orders such as the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller combined monastic discipline with warfare.
Related terms
Stories using this term
The Norman Conquest of England
From Viking settlers to conquerors, the Normans reshaped England, Italy, and the medieval Mediterranean.
The Rise of the Medieval Church
From the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the Avignon papacy, this story traces how the Christian Church built its authority through bishops, monasteries, missions, reform, and direct confrontation with Europe's rulers.
Feudalism and Medieval Society
From the estates of Charlemagne's empire to the flowering of Gothic cathedrals, this story explores how feudal hierarchies, manorial agriculture, and Church authority shaped the lives of kings, knights, and peasants alike.
The Mongol Empire
From scattered steppe tribes to the largest contiguous empire in history, the Mongols reshaped Eurasia through conquest, terror, and trade.
The Crusades
From Pope Urban II's call at Clermont to the fall of Acre, the Crusades reshaped the medieval world through religious war, cross-cultural encounter, and lasting consequences for Europe and the Middle East.
