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Message: <blockquote data-quote="El Mahdi" data-source="post: 6677579" data-attributes="member: 59506">Historically, a Knight had the following aspects:First and foremost, they were Cavalry - whether lightly armored or heavily armored, but shield use as standard - and trained in both the charge with lance (long spear) and melee combat from horseback (cruciform arming sword, falchion, mace, etc.).  Cavalry is the etymological root of Chevalier/Cavalier. Second, they served a liege lord - whether a baron, king, or church.  Even hedge knights, when actually being a knight, served somebody - even if it was only temporary and mostly for the money, and very similar to the Japanese concept of Ronin.  The etymology of Knight is servant/retainer.Nobility was not a prerequisite for being a Knight.  It made it easier, because one could better afford what a Knight required (horse, care of said horse, armor, weapons), but this stuff could be provided by a liege if one had the necessary training and skills - and could prove one had the necessary training and skills (a display of abilities, vouched for by another such as "he and I squired together for Baron Smith", etc).In the late medieval period, for the most part you'd be correct, but the medieval period encompassed almost a thousand years of history.  The only constants throughout the entire period are what I listed above.  Other aspects that were only important during certain parts of the medieval period were:Chivalry - didn't become a thing until late 12th century/early 13th century - so only for about the last 200 to 300 years of the medieval period.Plate Armor - didn't really come into being until the 13th century, and didn't hit its peak until almost the 15th century - so only for about the last 100 to 200 years of the medieval period and extending into the renaissance period for another hundred or so.Finally, the thing that most symbolized a Knight wasn't armor, or even a sword (a sword symbolized money, and didn't necessarily signify nobility).  In fact, not all knights used or preferred a sword.  They often used a mace, Morningstar, or even an axe as a primary weapon; and if they did use a sword, it was just as likely (or possibly more likely) that they used a falchion rather than a cruciform "Knightly" sword.  What most symbolized a Knight was their spurs.  Becoming a knight meant "earning your spurs." This goes back to the stipulation that Knights are first and foremost, Cavalry.From a fantasy/D&D perspective, and consistent with historical context, a Knight class would have to have the following attributes/equipment:Mounted Combat ProficiencyMelee Combat ProficiencyLance/Long Spear proficiency and Ability to Charge/JoustSimple and Martial WeaponsAll Armor and ShieldsNot a Ranged Weapon CombatantPossible Adherence to Chivalry, Definite Fealty to a LiegeA Liege Lord or Hedge Knight statusOwn a horse or have a horse provided by a LiegeOwn weapons and armor or provided by a LiegeSpurs</blockquote>

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