The Duties of a Squire in the Middle Ages
The Life of a Knight’s Assistant in Medieval Times
Jul 6, 2009
The job of squire was almost like that of a modern-day apprentice. A squire was expected to act as an assistant to the knight he worked for and in doing so, learnt about the life of a knight first-hand and about the skills and responsibilities of this position.
The Duties of a Medieval Squire
Whilst working for his knight, a squire had different jobs to learn and many of these could only be obtained by observing the knight go about his daily life. The squire’s job was to maintain and care for all the knight’s belongings, including his horse and armour, a knight’s most important possessions for fighting and jousting.
Maintaining the knight’s armour and looking after his horse were important training for when the squire was eventually out on a battlefield, as a knight. The squire was expected to be with his knight throughout the day, helping him to dress, serving him at table, running errands and messages and sleeping by his door at night, ready to help fight off any intruders.
The Training of a Medieval Squire
The first step for a boy to become a knight was when he was sent to live with another household before the age of ten, working as a page. In his new home, he learnt the skills of horse riding, sword play, reading, writing and court etiquette. All these were training, both physical and mental, for his future role as a squire, and then a knight.
Once a boy had reached the age of fourteen, he was considered an adult and could become a squire, for a knight with whom he would work closely, learning as he watched.
A squire’s training was partly gained through watching his knight in action and partly obtained by practising skills such as sword play, horsemanship and etiquette with other young squires.
Some squires never became knights, if they were unable to afford the expense of maintaining a horse and armour and these men could attain instead the title ‘arma patrina’, which was a courtesy title for aged knights or those who could not pay to become knights.
How Could a Squire Become a Knight?
Generally, a squire could expect to attain the status of knight after satisfactory progress for seven years. However, in exceptional circumstances, for example, when a squire had performed heroically during a siege at his castle, or on the battlefield accompanying his knight, he could become a knight at an earlier age.
The medieval knight is one of the most well-known figures in medieval life. He gained his position by years of hard work and dedication and, despite the glamorous image of the role, it was a responsible and difficult role.
Sources
Gravett, Christopher, Turner, Graham English Medieval Knight 1300 – 1400 [Osprey, 2002]
Jones, Terry Chaucer’s Knight: Portrait of a Medieval Mercenary [Methuen, 1994]
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