What happened if a medieval knight was wounded on the battlefield?

Answer 1

Many knights and serjeants (non-noble armoured troops with less expensive armour and weaponry) were wounded in battles, sieges and in tournaments. Some, in the 11th and 12th centuries, took part in "trial by combat", which was a legal way of deciding guilt and was fought until one of the two combatants was either killed or severely injured. Medical knowledge at that time included setting broken bones, drawing out arrows with special pliers, cauterizing deep wounds with hot iron tools and applying poultices and compresses made from healing herbs.

The answer to your question is that many died in agony after days or weeks of suffering, since there was absolutely no treatment at that time for infections or blood poisoning. Even minor wounds could become infected, leading to gangrene, septicaemia and a long, painful death. This is exactly what happened to King Richard I and to many knights, including a certain Geoffrey de Mandeville.

On the other hand, some knights made an unexpected recovery, even after suffering serious wounds: in 1163, one Henry de Essex was accused of treason and undertook trial by combat at Reading, on an island near to the Abbey. He was so terribly injured that he was expected to die very soon and the monks took him into the Abbey to arrange for him to be buried. There he slowly made a recovery and he himself became a monk (there was little choice, since he lost the combat and was therefore found guilty of treason, His wealth and possessions were all confiscated by the king).

Answer 2

he would get help !