Interesting Facts about Medieval Knights

• Knights often fought for the rights to pillage. They could become quite rich with the loot they gained from ransacking a city or town.
• By the end of the Middle Ages, many knights paid the king money instead of fighting. Then the king would use that money to pay soldiers to fight. This payment was called shield money.
• The word “knight” comes from an Old English word meaning “servant”.
• The knights of religious orders often made a pledge to the God of poverty and chastity.
• Today, knighthoods are awarded by kings and queens to people for their achievements. It is considered an honor. Famous people who have been knighted in recent years include U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Singer Paul McCartney of the Beatles, and movie director Alfred Hitchcock.