Knights provided the elite cavalry needed in any king's army. They were highly mobile, skilled and determined soldiers. They were expected to win the battle, fighting hand to hand, risking all for glory and victory. They knew their efforts would be amply rewarded, by their king or lord, after the victory was secured. Their skills and attitude were developed from early childhood. A boy could not inherit knighthood but had to train and acquire the mental hardness and fighting skills from an early age.

A Page.
At the age of seven a boy left his home to live in the castle of a relative or close friend of his family.
While there he had to learn:
....about armour, how it was made, how it was worn, the name of each part.
....about weapons, how to hold a lance, spear and sword.
....to look after falcons.
....courtesy from the lady of the castle.
....running and wrestling.
....sword play, how to slash and parry with a blunt sword.
....horse riding, the balance required to fight on horseback.
....hunting

There was little time for formal studies as other could do the reading, writing and mathematics if the knight required it.

A Squire.
At 14 years of age a boy would become the personal servant of a knight. Sometimes the start of this service was marked with a blessing from a priest.

Galerie des armes et armures, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
by Mattes