Editing Knight (section)

==Becoming a knight==
===Pages and squires===
Although not an absolute requirement for becoming a knight, boys, often nobly born, can serve as pages and later squires. Boys can become pages at several different ages. It appears to be normal to become a page from the ages of six or seven onwards. [[Robert Arryn]] was six years old when his father, Lord [[Jon Arryn]], planned on having him [[fostered]] at [[Dragonstone]] and serving as a page,{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} although circumstances were not entirely ordinary. According to [[Brienne of Tarth]], boys near the age of six or seven are pages.{{ref|AFFC|14}} [[Edric Dayne]] became a page at the age of seven,{{ref|asos|43}} and the [[Princess of Dorne]] suggested taking on [[Jaime Lannister]] as a page at that age as well.{{Ref|ASOS|70}} [[Kevan Lannister]] was made a page at the age of eight.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} Boys as young as eight might serve the [[Night's Watch]] as pages.{{ref|ADWD|53}}

After several years of serving as a page, a boy can become a squire (also spelled "esquire"{{Ref|AFFC|27}}{{Ref|TSS}}). Boys are not required to serve as a page before becoming a squire, so the age of squiring can range widely. While [[Samwell Tarly]] was supposed to become a page and [[cupbearer]] at the age of ten,{{ref|affc|15}} multiple boys are known to have been squires by that age or by an even younger age. Examples include [[Doran Martell]],{{ref|AFFC|2}} [[Aegon V Targaryen]],{{ref|THK}} [[Rollam Westerling]],{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}} and [[Elmar Frey]],{{ref|ASOS|Appendix}} who were all already squires at the age of nine, and [[Barristan Selmy]]{{ref|ADWD|59}} and [[Edric Dayne]]{{ref|ASOS|43}} were made squires at the age of ten.

Pages and squires train at arms.{{Ref|ADWD|21}} Squires run errands for their masters,{{Ref|AGOT|30}} tend to their master's animals,{{Ref|thk}} clean his mail,{{Ref|thk}} and help him into his armor whenever required.{{Ref|AGOT|30}} In times of war, they ride beside their masters, assisting them and fighting by their sides.{{Ref|acok|61}} During tourneys, squires will provide their masters with new lances, or with a sword.{{Ref|AGOT|29}}{{Ref|agot|30}} A boy who is being fostered but who is not training for knighthood (e.g., because he does not follow the Faith of the Seven), can perform the duties of a page and squire without strictly being one.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Some_Questions Some Questions (March 16, 2000)]</ref>

'''Known squire and knight binomes:'''
{{Columns|2|
*{{coa|Blackfyre|s}} [[Aegon Blackfyre]], squire of King [[Daemon I Blackfyre]]
*{{coa|Targaryen|s}} Prince [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]], squire of Ser [[Duncan the Tall]]
*{{coa|Targaryen|s}} Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen]], squire of Ser [[Jon Connington]]
*{{coa|Blackfyre|s}} [[Aemon Blackfyre]], squire of King [[Daemon I Blackfyre]]
*{{coa|Selmy|s}} [[Barristan Selmy]], squire of Ser [[Manfred Swann]]
*{{coa|None|s}} [[Bernarr Brune]], squire of Lord [[Alyn Stokeworth]]
*{{coa|Brynden Tully|s}} [[Brynden Tully]], squire of Lord [[House Darry|Darry]]
*{{coa|Farring|s}} [[Bryen Farring]], squire of King [[Stannis Baratheon]]
*{{coa|Clegane|s}} [[Clegane (father of Gregor and Sandor)|Clegane]], squire of Lord [[Tytos Lannister]]
*[[Dacks]], squire of Lord [[House Redfort|Redfort]]
*[[Daemon Sand]], squire of Prince [[Oberyn Martell]]
*{{coa|Targaryen|s}} Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron Targaryen]], squire of Lord [[Ormund Hightower]]
*[[Dalbridge]], squire of King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]]
*{{coa|Seaworth|s}} [[Devan Seaworth]], squire of King [[Stannis Baratheon]]
*{{coa|Bolton|s}} [[Domeric Bolton]], squire of Lord [[Horton Redfort]]
*{{coa|Night's Watch|s}} [[Donnel Hill]], squire of Ser [[Mallador Locke]]
*[[Duncan the Tall|Dunk]], squire of Ser [[Arlan of Pennytree]]
*{{coa|Tollett|s}} [[Eddison Tollett]], squire of Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]]
*{{coa|Dayne|s}} [[Edric Dayne]], squire of Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]]
*{{coa|Frey|s}} [[Elmar Frey]], squire of Lord [[Roose Bolton]]
*{{coa|Glover|s}} [[Ethan Glover]], squire of [[Brandon Stark]]
*{{coa|Paege|s}} [[Garrett Paege]], squire to Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]
*{{coa|Grafton|s}} [[Gyles Grafton]], squire of Lord [[Robert Arryn]]
*{{coa|None|s}} [[Harrold Darke]], squire of Ser [[Steffon Darklyn]]
*{{coa|Frey|s}} [[Hoster Frey]], squire of Ser [[Damon Paege]]
*{{coa|Hugh of the Vale|s}} [[Hugh of the Vale]], squire of Lord [[Jon Arryn]]
*{{coa|Lannister|s}} [[Jaime Lannister]], squire of Lord [[Sumner Crakehall]]
*[[Jodge]], squire of Ser [[Dunaver]]
*{{coa|Connington|s}} [[Jon Connington]], squire of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
*[[Jon Snow]], squire of Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]]
*{{coa|Peckledon|s}} [[Josmyn Peckledon]], squire to Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]
*{{coa|None|s}} [[Joss Stilwood]], squire of Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
*{{coa|Massey|s}} [[Justin Massey]], squire of King [[Robert I Baratheon]]
*{{coa|Lannister|s}} [[Kevan Lannister]], squire of Lord [[Roger Reyne]]
*{{coa|Lannister|s}} [[Lancel Lannister]], squire of King [[Robert I Baratheon]]
*[[Larraq]], squire of Ser [[Barristan Selmy]]
*{{coa|Piper|s}} [[Lewys Piper]], squire to Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]
*{{coa|Loras Tyrell|s}} [[Loras Tyrell]], squire to Lord [[Renly Baratheon]]
*{{coa|Roote|s}} [[Lucas Roote]], squire of Ser [[Andrey Charlton]]
*{{coa|Hightower|s}} [[Martyn Hightower (son of Ormund)|Martyn Hightower]], squire of Lord [[Lord Redwyne|Redwyne]]
*{{coa|Frey|s}} [[Merrett Frey]], squire of Lord [[Sumner Crakehall]]
*{{coa|Redfort|s}} [[Mychel Redfort]], squire of Ser [[Lyn Corbray]]
*[[Myles (squire)|Myles]], squire to Ser [[Desmond Grell]]
*{{coa|Mooton|s}} [[Myles Mooton]], squire of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
*{{coa|Vance of Atranta|s}} [[Norbert Vance]], squire of Lord [[House Darry|Darry]]
*{{coa|Frey|s}} [[Olyvar Frey]], squire of King [[Robb Stark]]
*{{coa|Sarsfield|s}} [[Pimply squire]], squire of Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
*{{coa|Payne|s}} [[Podrick Payne]], squire to Ser [[Cedric Payne]], [[Tyrion Lannister]], and [[Brienne of Tarth]]
*{{coa|Martell|s}} Prince [[Quentyn Martell]], squire of Lord [[Anders Yronwood]]
*{{coa|Fossoway of Cider Hall|s}} [[Raymun Fossoway]], squire of Ser [[Steffon Fossoway]]
*[[Red Lamb]], squire of Ser [[Barristan Selmy]]
*{{coa|Lonmouth|s}} [[Richard Lonmouth]], squire of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
*[[Roger of Pennytree]], squire of Ser [[Arlan of Pennytree]]
*{{coa|Westerling|s}} [[Rollam Westerling]], squire of King [[Robb Stark]]
*[[Rolly Duckfield]], squire of Captain-general [[Harry Strickland]]
*[[Russell Stillman]], squire of Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]]
*{{coa|Frey|s}} [[Sandor Frey]], squire of Ser [[Donnel Waynwood]]
*[[Satin]], squire of Lord Commander [[Jon Snow]]
*{{coa|Lynderly|s}} [[Terrance Lynderly]], squire of Lord [[Robert Arryn]]
*{{coa|Lannister|s}} [[Tion Lannister]], squire of Prince [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]]
*[[Trystane Truefyre]], squire of Ser [[Perkin the Flea]]
*[[Tumco Lho]], squire of Ser [[Barristan Selmy]]
*{{coa|Lannister|s}} [[Tyrek Lannister]], squire of King [[Robert I Baratheon]]
*{{coa|Lannister|s}} [[Tywald Lannister]], squire of Lord [[Robert Reyne]]
*{{coa|Targaryen|s}} Prince [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys Targaryen]], squire of King [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
*{{coa|Big Walder Frey|s}} [[Walder Frey (son of Jammos)|Big Walder Frey]], squire to [[Ramsay Bolton]]
*{{coa|Little Walder Frey|s}} [[Walder Frey (son of Merrett)|Little Walder Frey]], squire to [[Ramsay Bolton]]
*{{coa|Massey|s}} [[Wallace Massey]], squire to Ser [[Denys Mallister]]
*[[Watkyn]], squire of Captain-general [[Harry Strickland]]
*[[Wex Pyke]], squire of [[Theon Greyjoy]]
*[[Will (squire)|Will]], squire of Ser [[Uthor Underleaf]]
}}

===Age at knighthood===
Most knights have already [[Age of majority|come of age]] when they [[w:Accolade|receive]] their knighthoods. When Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor Targaryen]] was knighted at the age of sixteen in {{Date|28}}, he was the youngest knight in the [[Seven Kingdoms]] at the time.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} [[Glendon Flowers]],{{Ref|TMK}} Prince [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} [[Daemon Targaryen]],{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} [[Barristan Selmy]],{{Ref|ASOS|67}} and [[Kevan Lannister]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} were also sixteen years old when dubbed.

Exceptional fighters can be knighted at a younger age, however. [[Loras Tyrell]],{{Ref|AWOIAF|Loras Tyrell}} [[Jaime Lannister]],{{Ref|ASOS|11}} and Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron Targaryen]]{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} were fifteen years old upon receiving their knighthood. [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Blackfyre]] received his knighthood at an exceptionally young age, as he was only twelve years old when he was knighted by his father, King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} 

[[Rhaegar Targaryen]] was newly knighted at seventeen,{{ref|AFFC|24}} and [[Quentyn Martell]],{{Ref|ADWD|6}} [[Tywin Lannister]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} and [[Denys Mallister]]{{Ref|ASOS|78}} were even older, being knighted at the age of eighteen. Ser [[Duncan the Tall]] claimed to be a hedge knight at the age of sixteen or seventeen, which nobles at [[tourney at Ashford Meadow|Ashford Meadow]] did not seem to find objectionable.{{Ref|THK}} Young squires who have proven themselves in battle might be promised knighthood when they come of age.{{Ref|ACOK|65}}

'''Known dubbings:'''
{{Columns|2|
*{{coa|Targaryen|s}} Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], knighted by Ser [[Rickard Redwyne]]
*{{coa|Selmy|s}} [[Barristan Selmy]], knighted by King [[Aegon V Targaryen]]
*{{coa|None|s}} [[Bernarr Brune]], knighted by King [[Aenys I Targaryen]]
*{{coa|Blackfyre|s}} Prince [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon Blackfyre]], knighted by King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]]<ref group="N" name="Son dubbings">The only examples we have of a father knighting to his own son are kings Aegon I and Aegon IV.</ref>
*[[Daemon Sand]], knighted by Prince [[Oberyn Martell]]
*{{coa|Targaryen|s}} Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron Targaryen]], knighted by Lord [[Ormund Hightower]]
*{{coa|Seaworth|s}} [[Davos Seaworth]], knighted by Lord [[Stannis Baratheon]]
*{{coa|Duncan the Tall|s}} [[Duncan the Tall]], knighted by Ser [[Arlan of Pennytree]] <small>(dubious)</small>
*[[Glendon Flowers]], knighted by Ser [[Morgan Dunstable]]
*{{coa|Clegane|s}} [[Gregor Clegane]], knighted by Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
*{{coa|Harrold Hardyng|s}} [[Harrold Hardyng]], knighted by Lord [[Yohn Royce]]
*{{coa|Hugh of the Vale|s}} [[Hugh of the Vale]], knighted by King [[Robert I Baratheon]]
*{{coa|Bywater|s}} [[Jacelyn Bywater]], knighted by King [[Robert I Baratheon]]
*{{coa|Lannister|s}} [[Jaime Lannister]], knighted by Ser [[Arthur Dayne]]
*{{coa|Mormont|s}} [[Jorah Mormont]], knighted by King [[Robert I Baratheon]]
*{{coa|Targaryen|s}} Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor Targaryen]], knighted by King [[Aegon I Targaryen]]<ref group="N" name="Son dubbings"/>
*{{coa|Mooton|s}} [[Myles Mooton]], knighted by Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
*{{coa|Kettleblack|s}} [[Osmund Kettleblack]], knighted by Ser [[Robert Stone]] <small>(dubious)</small>
*[[Pate of Longleaf]], knighted by Lord [[Petyr Piper]]
*[[Pate the Woodcock]], knighted by Ser [[Joffrey Doggett]]
*{{coa|Martell|s}} Prince [[Quentyn Martell]], knighted by Lord [[Anders Yronwood]]
*{{coa|Fossoway of New Barrel|s}} [[Raymun Fossoway]], knighted by Ser [[Lyonel Baratheon]]
*[[Red Lamb]], knighted by Ser [[Barristan Selmy]]
*{{coa|Lonmouth|s}} [[Richard Lonmouth]], knighted by Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]
*{{coa|Redwyne|s}} [[Rickard Redwyne]], knighted by King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
*[[Rolly Duckfield]], knighted by Ser [[Jon Connington]]
*[[Russell Stillman]], knighted by Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]]
*{{coa|Peake|s}} [[Titus Peake (son of Unwin)|Titus Peake]], knighted by Ser [[Jon Roxton]]
*[[Tumco Lho]], knighted by Ser [[Barristan Selmy]]
*{{coa|Lannister|s}} [[Tywald Lannister]], knighted by Prince [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]]
*{{coa|Brotherhood without banners|s}} Several members of the [[brotherhood without banners]], knighted by Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]] <small>(declaring them the "knights of the [[hollow hill]]")</small>
}}

===Conditions for knighthood===
Most squires are knighted some time after coming of age. Some men are knighted before then, by demonstrating their prowess in tourneys, such as Daemon Blackfyre,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} or in battle,{{Ref|ACOK|65}}{{Ref|ASOS|4}} such as Jaime Lannister.{{Ref|ASOS|11}} Underage squires might be knighted on the battlefield as they lay dying, such as [[Tywald Lannister]].<ref name="westerlands">''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'': [http://www.georgerrmartin.com/world-of-ice-and-fire-sample/ The Westerlands (unabridged)]</ref> Men can also ask for knighthood before being executed, such as [[Trystane Truefyre]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

The motivation for receiving knighthood can be political. [[Laenor Velaryon]] was knighted because he was to marry [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], the [[Princess of Dragonstone]], and it was thought that the prince consort of the Seven Kingdoms should be a knight.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Knighthood can also be acquired in less honorable ways. Tales are told of knights who gained their knighthoods with favors, coin, and threats. It was said that [[Glendon Ball]] sold his [[maiden]] sister's virginity in exchange for receiving his knighthood.{{Ref|TMK}} During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], [[Perkin the Flea]] gave the honor to "every sellsword, thief, and butcher's boy", to recruit hundreds of [[gutter knights]] for Trystane Truefyre's army amid the [[riot of King's Landing (Dance of the Dragons)|riot of King's Landing]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} During the [[War of the Five Kings]], Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]] knights the men of the [[brotherhood without banners]] regardless of their station and calls them the "knights of the [[hollow hill]]".{{Ref|ASOS|34}}{{Ref|ASOS|39}}

===Conditions preventing knighthood===
Men with physical disabilities that prevent them from taking on the expected duties of a knight cannot gain knighthood. For example, [[Bran Stark]], [[Willas Tyrell]], and [[Mollander]] cannot be knights because of their disabilities.{{Ref|AGOT|53}}{{Ref|ASOS|38}}{{Ref|AFFC|0}} It can be assumed that other cripples of noble birth, such as [[Albin Massey]], [[Larys Strong]] and [[Lothar Frey]], were denied knighthood for the same reason. As a squire, [[Merrett Frey]] was denied knighthood by Lord [[Sumner Crakehall]] due to the head injuries he received in the campaign against the [[Kingswood Brotherhood]], which caused blinding headaches from even the lightest blow to his head.{{Ref|ASOS|81}} [[Tyrion Lannister]] knew from an early age his [[Dwarf|dwarfism]] would prevent him from becoming a knight.{{Ref|ADWD|5}} Other physical conditions that hinder a knight's duties, such as obesity and disinclination to martial training (for example, [[Samwell Tarly]]), would be another reason men do not become knights.<ref name=info/> [[Lackwit|Mental disabilities]] also preclude knighthood.{{Ref|ACOK|16}}

Some men do not become knights for lack of interest, although they are physically qualified. Followers of the [[old gods]] do not tend to be knighted, as knighthood is an [[Andal]] tradition usually requiring standing a vigil in a [[sept]] and vows to [[the Seven]].{{Ref|AGOT|53}}<ref name=info/> (However, there are exceptions, such as the knighthood process performed by the [[R'hllor]]-worshipping [[Beric Dondarrion]] and his [[brotherhood without banners]].{{Ref|ASOS|39}}) Some men reject knighthood for personal reasons, such as [[Sandor Clegane]].{{Ref|AGOT|29}} Some warriors cannot be knighted on grounds of their sex, such as [[Brienne of Tarth]]{{Ref|ACOK|22}} and [[Jonquil Darke]].{{Ref|FAB|The Year of the Three Brides - 49 AC}}

Some squires choose to never become a knight, and live the rest of their lives as squires. This may be because the individual does not have the inclination to live a knight's martial lifestyle, or does not have the funds to properly equip himself.<ref name=info/> According to [[George R. R. Martin]]: {{Quote|We tend to think of squires as teenaged boys, knights in training, but that is only part of the truth. Historically, there were many men who spent their entire lives as squires, and never became knights. It was quite common to have thirty- and forty-year-old squires, even some in their fifties. Such men perhaps did not have the wealth to become knights (knights had to pay for their own equipment), or perhaps did not have the inclination. They were the medieval counterparts of the career army sergeant who has no desire to be promoted to lieutenant, let alone general.<ref name=info/>}}

===Ceremony===
[[File:Jason Engle knighted.jpg|400px|thumb|right|A man being knighted by [[Tywin Lannister]]. Art by Jason Engle © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Any knight can make a knight. However, kings can make knights as well, even if they were never knighted themselves.<ref name=info /> On the other hand, lords cannot dub someone a knight if they have not previously been knighted themselves.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Comic_Con_San_Diego_CA_July_20_232/ Comic-Con (San Diego, CA; July 20-23) (July 23, 2006)]</ref> 

Knighthood is partially a religious matter, as it is usually open only to followers of the [[Faith of the Seven]].<ref name=religion>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1191 Religion and Knighthood (December 28, 2001)]</ref> There are several variations of ceremonies. It is customary to stand vigil in a sept the night before one receives knighthood.{{Ref|AGOT|56}}{{Ref|THK}} This vigil is carried out before the figure of  [[Warrior (the Seven)|the Warrior]]. The sword might be placed before or upon the figure, and the armor in a pile at the statue’s base.{{Ref|AFFC|8}} At times, the knights-to-be might walk barefoot from the sept to the location where they are to receive their knighthood, to prove their humble hearts.{{Ref|acok|65}} The six hundred knights who were dubbed after the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], also wore  shifts of undyed wool, and marked receiving their knighthood by the putting on a swordbelt after being dubbed.{{Ref|ACOK|65}} Before taking a knight's vows, a septon might anoint the knight-to-be with the seven oils.{{Ref|AGOT|56}}{{Ref|THK}} Being anointed by the [[High Septon]] is considered to be a great honor.{{Ref|AGOT|3}} However, men can also be dubbed a knight without exercising these customs, for example on the battlefield (e.g., [[Tywald Lannister]]).<ref name="westerlands" /> Witnesses might be present at the moment of receiving knighthood,{{ref|TMK}} although this is not a requirement.{{Ref|thk}}

When knighting someone in a formal manner, the dubber speaks the knight-to-be's name and House, if he has one. The dubber touches the subject on the right shoulder with his sword, and while placing the sword on the other shoulder following every sentence says:{{ref|THK}}
{{Quote|In the name of [[Warrior (the Seven)|the Warrior]] I charge you to be brave. In the name of [[Father (the Seven)|the Father]] I charge you to be just. In the name of [[Mother (the Seven)|the Mother]] I charge you to defend the young and innocent. In the name of [[Maiden (the Seven)|the Maid]] I charge you to protect all women....{{Ref|THK}}}}

In a less formal knighting ceremony, the dubber lays his sword upon the knight-to-be's right shoulder, and says:{{Ref|ASOS|39}}
{{Quote|[Name of knight-to-be], do you swear before the eyes of gods and men to defend those who cannot defend themselves, to protect all women and children, to obey your captains, your liege lord, and your king, to fight bravely when needed and do such other tasks as are laid upon you, however hard or humble or dangerous they may be?}}
After the subject who is being knighted confirms that he will do as asked, the sword is moved to the left shoulder, and the dubber will say that the newly-made knight can rise.{{Ref|ASOS|39}}