Medieval knights underwent a rigorous 14-year training program, progressing through three stages—Page, Squire, and Knight—starting at age 7 and culminating at age 21.

The path to knighthood was a formalized educational system in medieval Europe that combined military training with social education. At age 7, a boy was sent to the castle of a lord or relative to serve as a Page. During this stage, he focused on courtoisie—courtly manners—learning to play chess, sing, and perform basic household tasks while practicing with wooden weapons.At age 14, the Page was promoted to Squire through a religious ceremony. Squires were assigned to a specific knight and were responsible for cleaning armor, caring for horses, and assisting their masters on the battlefield. This period was physically demanding, as squires had to master lance techniques and learn to fight in heavy mail or plate armor, which weighed between 20 and 25 kg (45 to 55 pounds).The final transition occurred at age 21, the legal age of adulthood in many medieval jurisdictions. The dubbing ceremony often involved a symbolic blow to the neck or shoulder and a night of prayer known as a vigil. While many noblemen served as squires, only those who could afford expensive equipment and horses were typically knighted. This structured timeline ensured that by the time a man became a knight, he had over a decade of specialized experience in both combat and diplomacy.