Chaucer and Squires

Chaucer and Squires:

* Squires had already served 7 years in the role of a page before moving to the role of a Squire at the age of 14 years old. As a page he was viewed as a boy, and looked after by the ladies of the court or castle.

* Squires were viewed as young men and had reached the age of puberty, their first step towards manhood. The care of the Squires moved from the Medieval ladies to the Knights. 

* The word Squire is derived from the French words "Esquire, Escuyer" which originally meant 'shield bearer'. In later years the term gradually moved away from the meaning of apprentice knight and on to mean a country gentleman of some standing. 

* Lessons and skills to be acquired by a squire are the code of chivalry, the rules of heraldry, horsemanship, the use of weapons (swordsmanship and marksmanship), strength, speed, dexterity and leadership skills, climbing, athletics, swimming skills (situations involving a castle siege), bravery and ability to withstand cold and heat, tiredness and hunger.

* Also the duty of the squire to enter the social life of the castle and learn courtly etiquette, jousting, music, and dancing.

Duties and Jobs of a Squire:

* Arming squire, who accompanies the knight to the battlefield.

* Squire of the table, who performed duties in the castle or court.

* Vast majority of squires undertook duties such as attending to their knights’ horses- the stabling and care, waiting at the table, kitchen duties, arranging for the upkeep of clothing, running errands, carrying messages and guarding their knight while he slept. Also assisting the knight in dressing his armor, ensuring the armor and weapons of the knight were in good order, and accompanying their knight to tournaments and during the time of war to the battlefield.

* There was a “pecking order” amongst squires, in which “squire of the body” was the most envied of the squire positions, where the squire was kept closest to the lord and were...