Knight With The Golden Armor, 3D Illustration Royalty-Free Stock Photo

In the later Middle Ages, knighthood, i.e. the descent of lower noble ancestors `born to the coat of arms` was mostly the prerequisite for attaining knighthood. In a solemn act, originally the swordsman, later the knighthood, the ruler or another nobleman elevated him to a knight, provided that he had the necessary characteristics and qualities. In the end, only about a tenth of the actually knighted people achieved knighthood. The remaining relatives of knightly families were in Germany u. a. referred to as `noble servants`, `servants` in the popular formula `knights and servants`, `squires` or `poor`. In the English-speaking area, knights and noble servants Esquires / Squires for the late Middle Ages are summarized in a contemporary and modern way as “men-at-arms”.