Knights, castles and warfare

Knights and Chivalry

Knights were heavily armoured soldiers, often part of the nobility, crucial to warfare during this period.
Knights adhered to a code of chivalry– a religiously influenced ethical code with principles such as bravery, courtesy, and respect for women.
Training for knighthood was intense, generally beginning in childhood, included both martial training and education in the Chivalric Code.
Knights were typically well-equipped for battle, with weapons such as swords, lances, and early firearms, and wore chain-mail or plate armour.
Knights played key roles in the Crusades, many joining religious-military orders like the Knights Templar or the Knights Hospitaller.

Castles and Fortifications

Castles were principal fortresses of defence and also served as administrative centres or residences for nobility.
They were often situated at strategically significant locations - often high ground or near key routes.
The main components of castles were Keep, an often tower-shaped central structure for refuge during an attack, surrounding walls, and gatehouses that could be fortified.
Many technical innovations were introduced in castle architecture during the Crusades, including concentric walls and machicolations- openings that allowed defenders to drop objects on attackers.
Siege warfare was common during the Crusades, with techniques like undermining walls, using siege towers, and firing projectiles from catapults or trebuchets.

Warfare and Tactics

Warfare during the Crusades involved both sieges and open battles.
The core of armies were often heavy cavalry – armoured horses and knights – with infantry and archers playing important supporting roles.
Tactics could vary greatly, depending on the commanders involved, the nature of the battlefield, and the composition of the armies.
During this time, religious motivations and morale could greatly influence the outcome of battles.
The Crusaders and their Muslim opponents had differing tactics – crusaders relied heavily on heavy cavalry charges, while their opponents often used more flexible light cavalry and archers.
Many battles during the Crusades resulted in high casualties due to the brutal nature of medieval warfare and the refusal of many combatants to quarter foes due to religious zealotry.