The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1911-06-02
ANCIENT and MODERN kNIGHTHOOD.
BY FRONIA ELIZABETH KING,
Glass III, Hartford College.

Originally a Knight was a military
attendant, chiyalrcus youth. Among
our war-like ancestors, the word
was particularly applied 10 a young
man after he was admitted TO the
privilege OF bearing arms. The ad-
mission to this privilege was a cere-
mony OF great importance and was
the origin of the institution of Knight
hood. Hence in feuda times a Knight
was a man admitted to military rank
by a certain osrsmony. This privi-
lsge was conferred on youths of fam
ily and fortune and from it sprang
the honorable title of Knight in mod
arn usage.
The Knightly system of feuial
times was marked by the champion
ship Of women, love OF display and
Knigh1y honOrs. 1t was prior ID the
times Of the crusades and during their
greatest strength that it attained to
its advanced stage OF development.
The dominating characteristics OF tha
age of Knighthood or chivalry, in
csIded thirst for glory. love Of al
venture. war-like spirit, and a lofty
devotion Of the female sex.
From the ninth. to the twelfth cen
fury a Knight was oaa who I'D
lands in foe from a superior ana vas
bound to render him military ssr-
vice A young man attaining the age
Of responsibility who inherited estates
was rledged to discharge them hon
orably in a ceremony of great splen-
dor. The church added solemnity to
the ceremony and made the inyesti-
ture Of a youthful Knight an inn
posing religious cent, pvlaclng before
him a high moral and religious ideal
70 which he was exhortsd to aspire
He was i1nplorsd to have mercy for
foes, purity in youthful
religions, and high regard for the
Christian church. Notwithstanding
shese Instructions Knighthood was
often accompanied by cruelty and inn
purity, although the fact celebrated
and the church eounselsd the moral
of the true knight.
1t may be said that the age of
served a useful psrpose in
society Drawer, pursr, more
compassionate and that it gave to
thsse VIRTUES high rank, the effects
Of which are still manifested in modern
society
During the middle ages the terror
Of the hereafter weighed with more
force upon mankind than it does to-
day. The unenlightened mind be-
lisved In peRitential acts to avert
divine wrath and In the miracle-work
lng-virtue of objects connected with
the life and death Of Christ So
many pilgrimages were made to the
holy places of Pal sstlne. which were
now in the hands OF the heather
Turks. The spirit of adysntsre and
ths hope of gain ran high among the
people OF wastsra Europe; and thsse
tendencies added 30 the foremost
thought Ia all minds; that was, to
rescue Jerusalem from the ifaads Of
the Infidals. This resulted ia she
First Crusade. Only the knights OF
rank and AenOr Were permitted TO en-
list ia this undertaking. Armed with
COATS OF mail swords. lances, provid-
cd with large sums OF money and
bearing on htgh crimson. the
knights and lords sea cut for ne
Holy Land having yiwed to fight
the Infidels and talOe the land for
thems alVss After many hardships
and heavy loss OF lives Jerusalem was
taken and the vow of the Crusaders
FULFILLED
But how little were the tsaohinxs
OF Christ followed: How many woln-
Oh made widows. how many children
left fatherless.
After the successful termination OF
the First G rusade the next task
was 10 organize and safeguard the
On rlstian COnouast Thru ordaro ~