What were knights like as people? How did they fit into society?

Basically special forces if they had no regard for the rules of war

Usually they were nobility who spend most of their time administrating their fief, and training in the case of war. Heavily armored units that weren't nobility didn't come around until the very late middle ages, with mercenaries such as the condotierre becoming more common.

Nobility, not much else to say.
Train during the day, party during the night, send your right hand man to collect taxed on the weekend.

File: hutten.jpg (903KB, 998x1604px) Image search: [Google]

903KB, 998x1604px

>>3124075
>Such is the lot of the knight that even though my patrimony were ample and adequate for my support, nevertheless here are the disturbances which give me no quiet. We live in fields, forests, and fortresses. Those by whose labors we exist are poverty-stricken peasants, to whom we lease our fields, vineyards, pastures, and woods. The return is exceedingly sparse in proportion to the labor expended. Nevertheless the utmost effort is put forth that it may be bountiful and plentiful, for we must be diligent stewards. I must attach myself to some prince in the hope of protection. Otherwise every one will look upon me as fair plunder. But even if I do make such an attachment hope is beclouded by danger and daily anxiety. If I go away from home I am in peril lest I fall in with those who are at war or feud with my overlord, no matter who he is, and for that reason fall upon me and carry me away. If fortune is adverse, the half of my estates will be forfeit as ransom. Where I looked for protection I was ensnared. We cannot go unarmed beyond to yokes of land. On that account, we must have a large equipage of horses, arms, and followers, and all at great expense. We cannot visit a neighboring village or go hunting or fishing save in iron.

>Then there are frequently quarrels between our retainers and others, and scarcely a day passes but some squabble is referred to us which we must compose as discreetly as possible, for if I push my claim to uncompromisingly war arises, but if I am too yielding I am immediately the subject of extortion. One concession unlooses a clamor of demands. And among whom does all this take place? Not among strangers, my friend, but among neighbors, relatives, and those of the same household, even brothers.

>>3124075
>>3124415
>These are our rural delights, our peace and tranquility. The castle, whether on plain or mountain, must be not fair but firm, surrounded by moat and wall, narrow within, crowded with stalls for the cattle, and arsenals for guns, pitch, and powder. Then there are dogs and their dung, a sweet savor I assure you. The horsemen come and go, among them robbers, thieves, and bandits. Our doors are open to practically all comers, either because we do not know who they are or do not make too diligent inquiry. One hears the bleating of sheep, the lowing of cattle, the barking of dogs, the shouts of men working in the fields, the squeaks or barrows and wagons, yes, and even the howling of wolves from nearby woods.

>The day is full of thought for the morrow, constant disturbance, continual storms. The fields must be ploughed and spaded, the vines tended, trees planted, meadows irrigated. There is harrowing, sowing, fertilizing, reaping, threshing: harvest and vintage. If the harvest fails in any year, then follow dire poverty, unrest, and turbulence.

-Ulrich von Hutten

>>3124075
Depends on the era. Not of high status originally, more of a police force for great houses and the aristocracy. They rose in status through service to these lords while the support of said houses allowed for dedication to training. Like modern day Olympians, they were essentially athletes of war.

>>3124415
>>3124421
Interesting to read this, do you know of any more similar stories/sources?

>>3124421
Knights in the HRE had it fucking rough during the Renaissance. They were exploited to extinction very rapidly.

>>3124075
>What were knights like as people?
probably really crude, unruly, and violent

at least until the 14th century

>>3124415
>>3124421
Is the 16th century really a good time to take an account of the life of knights?
Especially since it's a g*rman.

When people say knight they usually mean early/mid medieval English knights.

Also either crusaders or fairytale frenchy shining knights.

>>3127865

>When people say knight they usually mean early/mid medieval English knights.
If you happen to be English (Or American I guess).
But my bet own bet is that French people tend to think into French knights while Germans do into Germans, Spanish into Spanish and so on.

>>3124415
>>3124421
fascinating, what book did you find this in?

>>3127865
>Is the 16th century really a good time to take an account of the life of knights?
We're talking about the very beginning of the 16th century which was not really that different from the late middle ages - in particular in rural Germany - so his perspective should not differ that much in comparison with 30 - 50 years earlier. The fact that he's German benefits us, since the HRE saw frequent feuds and minor conflicts and probably embodies quite well what people commonly associate with the "middle ages" (even though we're talking about a later period).

>>3127958
Not the poster, but I've seen it a few times here, I'm sure you could find the source easily if you looked for it