PRIOR to the DUBBING CEREMONY at Around the Age of Twenty-One, After Years of Training, a Squire Might Be Promoted to the Status of Knight
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4 PRIOR TO THE DUBBING CEREMONY At around the age of twenty-one, after years of training, a squire might be promoted to the status of knight. Not all squires became knights, but for those that did, the process of being knighted was highly ritualistic. Ritualistic means religious and solemn. As with many religious services, the process began the evening before the actual ceremony. The squire started by taking a ritualistic bath. The purpose of the bath was to cleanse the body so that the squire would be symbolically pure for the ceremony the next day. The squire dressed in a white tunic covered with a red robe. He stayed awake for the entire night fasting and praying for the purity of his soul. The ceremony conferring knighthood was called an accolade, and is also known as a dubbing ceremony. The word dub means to name or christen. In this case, the squire is being given the title of knight. Prior to the service, the squire s sword was blessed and a priest heard the soon-to-be knight s confession a declaration of any wrongdoing. © Lessons Learned by Heart 13 4 THE DUBBING CEREMONY During the dubbing ceremony, the squire knelt down on one knee. He took an oath to be loyal to his lord and king (or queen). He pledged to protect his church and the kingdom. He vowed to be brave. His sponsor (the lord, king, or queen) then tapped the squire on his shoulder with the side of the sword and declared, I dub thee Sir, Knight. A church official could also perform the service. Following the ceremony, a feast was held which included music and dancing. The knight would don his armor and show some of his skills as part of the celebration. Occasionally, a squire was knighted on the battlefield. Squires accompanied knights into battle so that they may help with their horses and armor. If a squire showed exceptional bravery during a battle, a knight could choose to immediately award him with knighthood. © Lessons Learned by Heart 14 4 PRIOR TO THE DUBBING CEREMONY THE DUBBING CEREMONY 1. Which of the following statements are true about squires becoming knights? Circle all that apply. a. There are many rituals involved in being knighted. b. Squires became knights at the beginning of their training. c. Squires trained for twenty-one years. d. A king or lord could promote a squire to knight. e. The ceremony was religious. 2. What was the purpose of the ritualistic bath? 3. What did squires do for the entire night prior to the dubbing ceremony? 4. What does the word dub mean? a. Knight b. Bath c. Squire d. Name 5. To whom did the soon-to-be knight promise loyalty during the dubbing ceremony? a. b. 6. What did the soon-to-be knight pledge to protect? a. b. True False Prior to the dubbing ceremony, the priest confessed his wrong-doing. True False An accolade and a dubbing ceremony are the same. True False The squire s sword was blessed prior to the dubbing ceremony. True False Some squires were awarded knighthood during battle. © Lessons Learned by Heart 15 .