The most comprehensive book on knights and knighthood available.

The word "knight" conjures up images of gallant men in gleaming armor astride noble steeds, searching for foes to fight and fair maidens to rescue. In Knights the reality of knighthood is detailed, warts and all. This handsome reference tells the true story of these mounted warriors, who evolved from simple soldiers on horseback to defenders of the faith during the Crusades.

Written by a team of historians with specialized knowledge of the medieval period, this beautifully illustrated reference includes:

• A timeline of knight history from its origins
• The ethos and ideals of knighthood
• Becoming a knight and the everyday life of a knight
• Knights in premedieval times
• The rise and fall of Charlemagne''s empire
• Knights among the Normans and the Saxons
• The Crusades
• The decline of knighthood
• The role of literature and movies in the mythology of knights
• And much more.

Hundreds of beautiful color photographs, artworks and maps add to this fascinating history of knights and knighthood.

Dr. Constance B. Bouchard is a distinguished professor of medieval history at the University of Akron in Ohio. Dr. Bouchard has been teaching medieval history for 30 years, and she is a member of the Medieval Academy of America, the American Historical Association, the American Catholic Historical Association and the Society for French Historical Studies. She has authored eight books, including Strong of Body, Brave and Noble: Chivalry and Society in Medieval France. She has also been widely published in national and international journals and has presented numerous papers at history-related conferences.

Constance Brittain Bouchard, chief consultant