A knight was a mounted warrior in medieval Europe, typically a nobleman who had trained since childhood in combat, horsemanship, and the code of honor called chivalry. Knights wore heavy metal armor and fought with swords, lances, and shields, often serving a king or lord in exchange for land and protection.

Becoming a knight was a long process. Boys from noble families started as pages around age seven, learning manners and basic skills. At fourteen, they became squires, assisting actual knights and training in combat. If they proved worthy, they were knighted in a special ceremony, sometimes by the king himself, who would tap their shoulders with a sword.

Knights are famous from legends like King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and from real history during the Crusades and countless medieval wars. They lived by ideals of courage, loyalty, and protecting the weak, though real knights didn't always live up to these standards.

In chess, the knight is the piece that moves in an L-shape and can jump over other pieces, named for these medieval warriors. Today, people who receive exceptional honors in some countries, like Britain, are given the title of knight: “Sir” for men or “Dame” for women, though without the armor or horses.