The traditional "knight in shining armor" has become a staple figure in popular culture and the images of bloody battlefields, bustling feasting halls and courtly tournaments have been creatively interpreted many times in film and fiction.But what was the knight truly like? The world of the English Medieval Knight was complex, and ever-changing. From the household of King John to the defenders of Elizabeth I, there was great change in the social standing of knights, their equipment and appearance, and their involvement in politics and warfare.An expert on Medieval military history Christopher Gravett describes how the knight evolved over four centuries of English and European history, the wars they fought, their lives in peacetime and on campaign, the weapons they fought with, the armor and clothing they wore and the fascinating code and mythology of chivalry. The text is richly illustrated with images ranging from manuscript illustrations to modern artwork reconstructions, and many photographs of historic artifacts and sites.

Author Biography

Chris Gravett is a former Senior Curator at the Royal Armouries, Tower of London, and a recognised authority on the arms, armour and warfare of the medieval world. He has worked as an advisor for numerous TV and film productions, and has written many books for Osprey, including Warrior 1: Norman Knight 950-1204 AD. He currently works as a curator at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire. The author lives in UK.