Pages and squires were young men who served as attendants to medieval knights and noblemen. They typically came from wealthy families and were trained in the skills of combat and horsemanship. Pages were usually between the ages of 7 and 14, while squires were between the ages of 14 and 21.
Page
The page's duties included:
- Caring for the knight's horse
- Carrying the knight's weapons and armor
- Attending the knight at meals
- Entertaining the knight with stories and songs
Squire
The squire's duties were more extensive than those of a page. In addition to the tasks performed by a page, the squire also:
- Assisted the knight in battle
- Managed the knight's household
- Represented the knight in his absence
- Protected the knight's family
Training
Pages and squires were trained in a variety of skills, including:
- Combat: They learned how to use swords, spears, and other weapons.
- Horsemanship: They learned how to ride horses and control them.
- Hunting: They learned how to track and kill animals.
- Chivalry: They learned the code of conduct for knights.
Knighthood
The ultimate goal of a page and squire was to become a knight. This was a great honor, and it signified that they had reached the highest level of medieval society.
Decline of Pages and Squires
The system of pages and squires began to decline in the 16th century. This was due to a number of factors, including the rise of gunpowder weapons and the decline of feudalism.
Legacy
Even though the system of pages and squires is no longer in existence, it has had a lasting legacy. The values of chivalry and honor that were taught to pages and squires are still important today.