Books

“Knights” tells the story of Europe’s finest warriors and strongholds during the Middle Ages. It tells the story of medieval knights, describing their training, weapons, armour, their battles and their leisure pursuits, such as hunting and falconry. The book describes everyday life in the castle household, as well as the function of rooms such as the Great Hall, solar, garderobe (toilet) and, of course, the dungeons. It explains how sieges were conducted, including the workings of the formidable siege engines used to breach the walls of an enemy’s castle. It also describes the two great periods of knightly warfare in the Middle Age – the Crusades and the Hundred Years War between England and France – and tells the story of the legendary King Arthur, head of the Knights of the Round Table. It includes: gatefold flap featuring the knight’s armour and weapons; “Legend of King Arthur” booklet; castle artwork – reveal showing the interior of the building; a booklet of siege equipment, including a trebuchet, ballista and mangonel; die-cut flap in the shape of a shield showing readers how to create their own coat of arms; and, a pull-out timeline strip in the shape of sword revealing the dates of the Crusades.