What were the duties of a Page in the Middle Ages?

Answer 1

The Medieval Page of the Middle Ages was little more than a child. But his training commenced from the age of seven. The duties of a knight were seen as the combat duties and those duties related to serving the lords and ladies.

The Knighthood training began in earnest as a Page when all their games and sports were geared towards learning skills related to horsemanship, the two-handed sword, battle axe, mace, dagger and lance. Obviously dangerous weapons were not used by these young boys!

Great emphasis was placed on physical fitness and strength. A Page would start to acquire the skills required of a Knight by practicing the skills of tilting a lance during their knighthood training. A target was erected and the Page would mount a wooden 'horse' on wheels holding a lance. The wooden horse would be pulled along by two other pages towards the target and the page would aim the lance.

The Page was expected to learn the technique called the 'couch' where the lance is held under the arm to steady it during a course, substantially reducing the amount of flex and increasing the accuracy of a lunge. Sword play was practiced using wooden swords and shields.

Fighting on piggyback introduced the young knights to the balance and skills required in mounted combat. Knighthood Training in other physical skills included climbing, swimming, throwing stones, javelins, Archery and Wrestling.

Answer 2

to deliver messages from one person to another