I'm looking for information about historical knights and knightly orders. I've already browsed wikipedia, and don't have a lot of time between my classes to read lengthy texts (I do that already for my English degree), but any information which can be provided, either posted here or in links, would be appreciated. My main focus is on how orders, such as the templars, interacted with the rest of the medieval world and what role they held in the grand hierarchy of things. I'm also interested in information about the difference between knights who belong to a specific order (again, like the templars or hospitilars), and those who did not (i.e., were knighted by the crown in their respective country, or inherited their positions, but didn't join a larger group). Thanks!
I'd even like to see players taking vows of knighthood. Of course, historical knights were duty bound to a king, lord, the church, etc., and therefore not really free to adventure. The Arthurian material, of course, provides ample examples of the knight errant, which works well for bringing knight to a D&D game which players might be interested in; but it doesn't do much to inform me about real medieval knighthood. Martin's work feels very real, and provides more wonderful ideas about presenting the insitution of knighthood in the game but is ultimately also fantasy. I'm very curious to learn about the actual medieval realities of knights and knighthood and knightly orders in more detail. Thanks again!
Being french, excuse me if i shamelessly promote my ancestors, the french knights ;)
I recommend you to make some research not only on the Templars but also the Cathars and the knights of Charlemagne, which are the origin of the paladins.
Arthurian knights, although legendary, are somewhat far from the reality of that time. Mainly because they are stuff of legend.
D&D wise, two books could be useful to you :
- Charlemagne's Paladins Campaign Sourcebook, one of the excellent AD&D2 green books, detailing the knights of the Emperor and the carolingian period. A lot more fluff than crunch, but that's what you need and that's still good whatever the edition or even the game system.
- The Crusades Campaign Sourcebook, another book of the same series.
- Castles and Crusades, the d20 OGL game might give you many good things too.
- The Medieval Player's Manual, from Green Ronin, is full of info about middle ages.
- A Magical Medieval Society : Western Europe, from Expeditious Retreat Press, same thing.
Of course, now that AD&D old supplements are not available anymore for sale you might have some difficulty to find these books... :(
Arthurian knights, although legendary, are somewhat far from the reality of that time.
You're not kidding. I have trouble stomaching a lot of the wild and bizarre tales which comprise most of Arthurian legend. Obviously I like fantasy, or I wouldn't be playing D&D and posting on these boards. But narratively, most Arthurian material does absolutely nothing for me, and is nowhere close to historically educational at its face value.
Of course, now that AD&D old supplements are not available anymore for sale you might have some difficulty to find these books... :(
I was just thinking the same thing. The OGL stuff might be easier to come by.
I would also like to suggest your local chapter of The Society for Creative Anachronism.
The local SCA has great resources to help you with any type of research you might like.
If you actually want to see 70lbs of armor and a sheild stapped to a guy and him fighting against another such fighter then the SCA has demoes and will be glad to answer your questions.
I happen to have the old second ed books the complete castle guide and it goes into what I think your looking for.
What the training for knighthood involved,Whether a wizard or cleric out ranked a simple knight( in most cases they did)and what did a knight do in his "off" time.
Hope this helped.