The most popular route was to distinguish oneself in battle as a leader. John Hawkwood demonstrates to historians that it was possible to be knighted as a commoner during the medieval era. We know that Hawkwood was one of the most successful military commanders of his time because he was paid extremely well as a mercenary commander. Sometime after becoming the company’s leader he would be knighted by Edward the Black Prince after the Battle of Poitiers. Sometime around 1356 Hawkwood joined a mercenary company called the White Company which became famous for their skill.Īfter some short time with the mercenary company Hawkwood would come to lead it. During the hundred years war Hawkwood served as a longbowman under King Edward III. While this was incredibly rare it did happen from time to time.Īn example of this can be seen in the 14th century mercenary Sir John Hawkwood. However, on rare occasions a commoner would raise a band of troops on his own and join their lords military campaign. This would not give the commoner the ability to become a knight as they were obligated to serve. Often the only chance a peasant or commoner would get to serve in the military was through obligation by their lord. One of the main ways that a commoner or peasant could become a knight was through military service on their own merit. The First Path For A Commoner Or Peasant To Become A Knight Was Through Military Service Without further ado, here is the way that a medieval peasant or commoner could become a knight. ![]() If at the end you enjoyed this article then consider subscribing to the free newsletter and sharing around the web. Here at The History Ace I strive to publish the best history articles on the internet. However, on special occasions it did happen. To do this in one lifetime however in medieval society was difficult. Over multiple generations a family might have been able to break into the upper level of society. Most commoners or peasants in medieval Europe would have never had the chance to become a knight. One such example of a commoner becoming a knight in medieval Europe happened in 1327 when an English commoner, Thomas de Rokeby became an English knight. ![]() Often a commoner or peasant could become a knight by performing extraordinary deeds while in an army. In reality it was highly unlikely that a medieval commoner or peasant could become a knight. However, what was the probability of becoming a knight or how would a commoner/peasant become one? Knight’s were noble lords who could hold land and raise a unit of soldiers to defend their home. ![]() Further Reading The 2 Ways Medieval Knights Got Paid Across Europe and The Heaviest Medieval ArmorĪcross medieval Europe one of the main aspirations of any commoner or peasant was to become a knight of their realm.
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