Final answer:
In feudal castles, moats, thick castle walls, and arrow slits were three means of defense against invaders. The primary role of knights in feudal Europe was to provide military service and protect their lords' territories. The four steps in becoming a knight were page, squire, knight bachelor, and knight banneret.
Step-by-step explanation:
In feudal castles, there were several means of defense against invaders. Three of these were moats, thick castle walls, and arrow slits.
Moats: A moat was a water-filled ditch or canal surrounding a castle, acting as a barrier that made it difficult for invaders to approach the castle walls. It provided an additional layer of defense as it would slow down any attackers and prevent them from reaching the walls easily.
Thick castle walls: Castle walls were constructed using sturdy materials such as stone or brick, making them difficult to breach. The thickness of the walls made it challenging for invaders to break through or scale them, providing protection to those inside the castle.
Arrow slits: Arrow slits, also known as loopholes, were narrow vertical or horizontal openings in the castle walls. They allowed defenders to shoot arrows or other projectiles at invaders while providing cover from behind the walls. The small size of the slits made it difficult for enemies to return fire effectively.
The primary role of knights in feudal Europe was to provide military service and protect their lords' territories. They were skilled warriors who fought on horseback and served as the backbone of the lord's army. Knights were expected to adhere to a strict code of chivalry, promoting the virtues of loyalty, bravery, and honor.
The four steps in becoming a knight were:
- Page: Young boys would serve as pages in the household of a knight or lord. They would learn basic skills such as horse riding and manners.
- Squire: After completing their training as a page, boys would become squires. They would assist knights, learn more advanced combat skills, and take care of the knight's equipment and horses.
- Knight Bachelor: A young squire could be granted the title of knight bachelor by a lord. This step usually involved a ceremony, in which the squire took an oath and was knighted by being tapped on the shoulder with a sword.
- Knight Banneret: A knight could be further promoted to knight banneret if he demonstrated exceptional skill and bravery on the battlefield. Bannerets led a unit of knights under their own banner.