Around the knights, whom some call fearless warriors, devoted vassals, defenders of the weak, noble servants of beautiful ladies, gallant cavaliers, while others call them unstable in battle, breaking their word, greedy robbers, cruel oppressors, wild rapists, arrogant ignoramuses, history revolved in essence. European Middle Ages, because in those days they were the only real power. The strength that everyone needed: kings against neighbors and recalcitrant vassals, peasants, churches; churches - against the Gentiles, kings, peasants, townspeople; lesser lords - against neighbors, the king, peasants; peasants - against the knights of neighboring lords.
The townspeople, however, did not need knights, but they always used their military experience. After all, a knight is first and foremost a professional warrior. But not just a warrior. Knight, rater, chevalier, etc. means rider in all languages. But not just a rider, but a rider in a helmet, armor, with a shield, spear and sword. All this equipment was very expensive: back at the end of the 10th century, when the calculation was not for money, but for cattle, a set of weapons, then not so plentiful and complex, together with a horse cost 45 cows or 15 mares. And this is the size of the herd or herd of the whole village.
But it is not enough to pick up a weapon - you need to be able to use it perfectly. This requires relentless, exhausting training from a very young age. No wonder boys from knightly families were taught to wear armor from childhood - complete sets for 6-8-year-old children are known. Therefore, a heavily armed rider must be a wealthy man with time. Large rulers could only keep a very small number of such warriors at court. Where to get the rest? After all, a strong peasant, even if he has 45 cows, will not give them up for a pile of iron and a beautiful horse, but not suitable for farming. There was a way out: the king obliged small landowners to work for a certain time for a large one, to supply him with the right amount of food and handicrafts, and he had to be ready to serve the king as a heavily armed horseman for a certain number of days a year.
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