The title of Knight was given to a person honored by a king or monarch for a service. Originally knights were just mounted soldiers and were thought of as lesser nobles. The idea of warriors on horseback came from the Franks after the fall of Rome and was expanded by Charlemagne. Any rider that had armor was considered a knight in the early times. 

 Eventually knights became honored people, and they were even recognized for great deeds outside the military sometimes. Knighthood became a more defined respected position under the Feudal system.

Chivalry was very important to the point they organized a code of follow. Chivalry was an ethical standard that knights had to live by. Knights main occupation was to be skilled fighters on horseback and provide military service to their king. During times of peace they lived in castles or large fortified houses. Christianity had several influences on chivalry and knighthood. Knights pursued the values of “faith, hope, charity, justice, strength, moderation, and loyalty. Knighthood and chivalry became forgotten during the Renaissance.

In modern culture, the tales of a knight in armor saving the damsel in distress is still a popular story line.