From Boy to Knight: Purposeful Training - The Geneva School

December 16, 2011From Boy to Knight: Purposeful TrainingBy Kelli Brodrecht4 th Grade TeacherWhat does it mean to be a knight? In forming the character of young men one can look to thehistorical role of knighthood and glean traditional virtues that should be cultivated in all youngmen—chivalry, honor, duty, loyalty, respect, valiance, just to name a few. Today’s young menmay not wear physical armor or reside in fortified castles, but they need knightly virtues inorder to successfully combat the culture we live in.As I write this Tolle Lege, through the open window I am eavesdropping on my eight-year-oldson and his friend as they rid our neighborhood of all evil with weapons in hand. The lastcomment made as they ran out the door was, “We might get shot, but don’t worry: we won’tdie.” As a mom, I could not have been happier. He is a fighter and protector by nature.Because we live in a culture that constantly encourages our young men to be less manly, avoidresponsibility, and look for the easiest way out of difficulties, we must help them becomeconfident leaders and brave protectors. We train boys as knights because we hope to producegood men, men who will live virtuously. All men’s lives ought to be characterized by knightlyvirtues, whether a boy turns out to be a pastor or a lawyer, a college professor, or a plumber.Above all, men ought to be faithful husbands and spiritual leaders in their homes. As a fourthgradeteacher, I have the privilege and responsibility of training young men for knighthoodeach spring. As a parent, my duties at home last much longer. I pray that both of theseinfluences have life-long impact on the character of those whom I challenge to be strong,benevolent men in a broken world.In the medieval world the process of becoming a knight had three stages. A boy began as apage, who served in the castle. His chores included such things as kitchen duties, working withlivestock in the stable, and delivering messages. After perhaps seven years, he would become asquire, which meant he would serve a knight. The squire would tend to the knight personally,and this included caring for the knight’s horse and armor and carrying the knight’s flag intobattle, by which he also learned loyalty. His training came from watching and imitating theknight. Finally, around twenty-one years of age, those squires who proved themselves worthywould be dubbed a knight. The process was long and involved. It was intended to shape youngboys into a certain type of man—one who would be strong, brave, loyal, and true.The role of a page began at a young age, traditionally seven to thirteen years old, and it isduring this first stage we must impart to our youngsters responsibilities and accountability. Ourculture says they are too young and should enjoy playing as long as they can. The commonphrase “He is only a child once” comes to mind. On the contrary, having duties at home does

not mean a child cannot play. The two are not mutually exclusive. Playing is an important partof growing up; so is learning to be responsible for more than just oneself. In an adult role, menare expected to work to provide for their families, lead their homes, contribute to themaintenance and well-being of their house, and hopefully sustain an active role as husband,father, and church member. All of these duties require a man to step outside of his owninterests and think of others. Remarkably, giving a young boy responsibilities that contribute tothe overall well-being of his home is the first step in training. Examples of duties at homemight include taking out the trash, folding laundry, washing windows, washing tile flooring,emptying the dishwasher, vacuuming. The list is endless for each household. The goal is to beconsistent and to require a high standard of achievement. If his chores are not done correctly,they should be done again. You are training him to set that high standard for himself. Toaccomplish a task well leaves him with the proud feeling of contributing to the greater good.A young boy must also be trained in the traditions of the faith. For example, Scripture andcatechisms are often memorized at this young age. Much of what is memorized at this age canbe recalled at a later age when the mind of the boy is ready for deeper understanding of hisfaith. In addition, a young man must be trained in basic chivalry, which means that he mustlearn to tend to the needs of females in his life and treat them with respect and honor. Simplesteps like carrying bags, opening doors, and showing preference to the fairer sex will put himon his way toward self-sacrificing service toward his future wife. A young boy’s life isbursting with opportunity to be trained and molded into a godly young man.As a boy matures, his duties must mature with him. A teenager who is still doing the task of aneight-year-old does not see himself as a contributor in his household. A squire’s role was muchdifferent than a page’s. A squire served a knight and learned from him. He was trained bywatching the knight’s example and by performing duties that helped the knight. Our fourthgradershave the privilege of being assigned a high school knight to serve for eight weeks. Thesquire serves the needs of the knight and watches him daily in order to learn the ways ofmanhood. Presumably, the teenage boy has already learned much from role models in his ownlife—contributing to the home in a way that pleases his father and helping him with his tasks,tasks that include greater responsibility and show more independence. He is growing instrength and can use these new muscles for service in his home. In a modern home, tasks mayinclude yard work, gutter cleaning, household repairs, pressure washing, car maintenance, orother tasks where he can prove himself. That is what the teenage boy seeks above all else—toprove himself as capable and trustworthy. In a modern home, tasks may include yard work,gutter cleaning, household repairs, pressure washing, car maintenance, or other tasks where hecan prove himself capable and trustworthy.A teen boy also needs more time being trained in what it means to be a man of God. His mindneeds to be fed with God’s word, church tradition, and theology. He should be readingScripture daily, as well as books by church fathers. His mind should be continually shaped bythe input of his father as well as leaders in his church. He is no longer content recitingcatechisms and creeds but needs to understand and embrace these truths with guidance andconsistent help. Along with these, he needs to develop an understanding of a properrelationship with young ladies. He can learn to implement true chivalric behavior by beingheld accountable for his interactions with the females in his life. He must be taught todiscipline his desires by the encouragement of others who have gone before him. He isdeveloping quickly through these years, and they are the final teachable moments before he

leaves his home to be his own knight.Part of The Geneva School’s vision is to be “a formidable force in the expansion andenrichment of Christ’s kingdom, in the life both of the individual and of the world.” In aculture that is producing young men who are selfish relativists capable of rationalizing anybehavior, we are fighting against the grain to produce the antithesis. Our goal is to train futureemployers, employees, husbands, and fathers who understand responsibility, compassion,integrity, and other respectable attributes that stand out in a culture that is being swept theother direction. Character formation begins at a young age and must be purposefully guidedand fostered to independence in order to combat the world’s view.Before a fourth-grade squire is dubbed a knight, he must memorize and recite a Code ofChivalry before his teacher, his class, and his assigned high school knight. Let us diligentlystrive to imprint upon our young men these values that will allow them to let their light soshine before men that others may see their good works and glorify their father in heaven.Code of ChivalryI pledge by my oath to be loyal of hand and of mouth, seeking to serve every man as best I may.Seeking the fellowship of good men, hearken unto their words and remember them.Be humble and courteous wherever I go, not talking much, neither being dumb altogether.Allow no woman or child to suffer by my default,so that if I may lift my hand to assist one, do so.If I must draw my sword to defend them, I do so unto my own death.If I come into fellowship with boys or men who speak in a disrespectful manner to any woman or maiden,I will let them know in gracious words that this displeases me and my Lord,then depart their company forthwith.I vow to defend and protect those who seek to worship in the name of the Lord Jesus Christand promote faith in Him throughout this earth He has made.Author Unknown