Become a Squire - How to be a Knight in 10 easy stages

Sep 29, 2026

Reading-focused book lesson on medieval knight life, structured around “How to be a Knight in 10 easy stages.” It introduces unusual reading words such as chivalry, quintain, herald, jousts, squire, and visor, and guides learners through slow, chunk-based word reading. The text then walks through stages including becoming a squire, making promises under the Code of Chivalry, courage in battle, and learning about essential armour and a knight’s horses.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Become a Squire

Make a few promises

show courage in battle

Get some armour

Choose your horse

FHow tobaY1nigb 106a5y s69g Q0T9aro Andelogo Reading together ● Have a look at the front cover of How to be a Knight in 10 easy stages andtalk about what you can see. ● Enjoy reading How to be a Knight in 10 easy stages together,and look outfor these unusual words:chivalry,quintain,herald,jousts,squire,visor.Check that the meaning of each word is clear.Try saying the words slowlyand looking for small chunks within the full word to help with readingand spelling. Talking about the book ● Talk about what it would be like to be a knight.Go back through the book,discussing which stages would be enjoyable,and which wouldn't! H0w to be a Knigbl yS ①Bas Stage 1 Become a squire…………………………2 Stage 2 Make a few promises ………4 Get some armour………………………6 Stage 3 Stage 4 Choose your horse ……………………8 Design your coat of arms ……10 Stage 5 Get a big house………………………12 Stage 6 Let the lady take charge ……14 Stage 7 Stage 8 Have some fun…………………………16 Stage 9 Join in a joust!………………………18 Stage 10 Win a battle ………………………………20 Glossary…………………………………………2 Index…………………………………………………23 信 ◎ Written and illustrated by Scoular Anderson Collins # BecoIme a Squire If you'd lived in the Middle Ages,you wouldn'thave gone to school.Instead,boys and girls fromrich families were sent to live with another richfamily in their castle or manor. They learnt how to read,write and play a musicalinstrument.They learnt good manners and had toserve their lord and lady at mealtimes.Boys werecalled pages.Girls were called ...girls! At the age of 14,a page became a squire.He wouldlearn how to look after his master's horse and keep hisarmour and weapons in good order. One day he would go into battle,so he learnthow to fight. He learnt how to hold alance by running ar the quintain.If he didn't get out of the way quickly,the sack of sand would swing rovnd and hif him. # Makea few promises When he was 21, the squire's training wasfinished.He was readyto become a knight.But first,he had to prayall night in a church. The next day,in front of lots of importantpeople,the young squire knelt before his lord4 .and made some promises.This was the Code of Chivalry. A knight must: be brave...be loyal… show mercy.. be generou... show justice...be humble.. Then the lord touchedthe squire's shoulderswith a sword. # show courage in batHle obey his lord and fight for himin batHe if his enemy surrendersthe knight must spare his lifelook after his servants and shareany plunder he gets in battlebe fair in everything he doesnot boast about thingshe has done # Get some armou Every knight needed a suit of armour to protecthimself in battle.The armour was made of metalplates shaped to fit his body.They were tied togetherwith leather straps so he could move easily. The knight would put on his helmetlast,because during battle it got hotand sweaty inside.Some knights decoratedVIsor~thistheir helmets withcovld be lifted feathers or cloth.up to show the face eye-holesbreathing holes He carried a shieldmade of wood andcovered with leather. The knight needed several weapons for a battle. lance for charging at the enemy # Choose youn horse A horse was very expensive to buy and look after.A knight usually needed three horses. Palfrey:a small horse to moveslowly and smoothly.A knightneeded a genfle ride overlong distances-especiallyif he was Wovnded in battle.Pack horse:to carry allthe knight's equipment.8

FAQs

What is a squire, and what training did a squire do in the Middle Ages?

A squire is a young person training to become a knight. The text says a squire learned to look after his master’s horse and keep armour and weapons in order, and later learn how to fight.

What are the promises in the Code of Chivalry?

The book lists requirements for a knight: be brave and loyal, show mercy and be generous, show justice, and be humble.

Why was armour important, and what parts of armour does the book mention?

Armour protected a knight in battle. The text explains metal plates fitted to the body, leather straps for movement, a helmet, and that knights carried a shield covered with leather, along with weapons such as a lance.

Sep 29, 2026

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