I will permit raising skills from zero if you can give me a good reason why your character should know how to do something. I will allow you to choose your character's background, rather than rolling for it. I am well aware that this will permit you to create unbalanced characters. Don't do it. Please submit your background before thinking about how to represent it using the game mechanics.
Supplemental equipment is available as justified by character concept.
Remember that knights do not use missile weapons. You are permitted to begin the game with lands, a wife, and children. I discourage the latter two, however, since the acquisition of such is a major part of a knight's development. Either way, this must be justified by concept. Again, if you come up with something that contradicts your concept, I will allow re-rolls.