One of the most iconic sights in the fantasy genre is a tall, powerful knight clad in armor. These characters embody the ideals of bravery, honor, and chivalry that hail from the medieval age, and make for fantastic characters in stories with their shimmering armor and powerful weapons.
The influence of the fantasy knight stretches through all sub genres of fantasy literature, inspiring countless tales of heroism. From the enchanted armor in Sir Gawain and The Green Knight to the mystical armor of Tomas in Raymond Feist’s The Riftwar Cycle, the equipment of fantasy knights can often play a critical role in their adventures and battles.
Below, we take a look at what a fantasy knight is before look at some of the best examples from the genre. You can also find a gallery of fantasy and medieval knights to help spark that creative process, and you can find lots of helpful information on medieval knights, their code of chivalry, and how the idea of the knight came about in the first place.
Let’s whet that sword and dive in.
What Is A Fantasy Knight?
First of all, it’s important to understand what a fantasy knight is. They’re a type of fictional character that often appears in medieval-themed fantasy stories, games, and movies. These knights are typically depicted as armored warriors who fight for justice, honor, and glory. They often wield powerful weapons and possess supernatural abilities, making them formidable opponents on the battlefield.
In the world of fantasy literature, knights play a key role in many classic tales and legends. From the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, to the adventures of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, fantasy knights have been a staple of storytelling for centuries. They continue to be popular in contemporary works of fantasy fiction, appearing in books, comics, video games, and more.
Who Is The Best Knight In Fantasy?
One of the most famous fantasy knights is the character of Lancelot, a brave and noble warrior who is best known for his role in the Arthurian legends. Lancelot is often considered one of the greatest knights of all time, and his stories have inspired countless adaptations and reinterpretations over the years.
Another iconic fantasy knight is Aragorn, a powerful warrior who appears in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.” Aragorn is a skilled swordsman and warrior, but he is also a wise and compassionate leader who is deeply dedicated to the cause of good.
In the world of video games, fantasy knights can be found in many popular titles, such as “World of Warcraft,” “The Elder Scrolls,” and “Final Fantasy.” These games allow players to experience life as a fantasy knight, battling against mythical creatures, wielding powerful weapons, and exploring magical lands.
In the realm of movies and television, fantasy knights have also had a major impact. From the classic 1977 film “Excalibur” to more recent productions like “The Hobbit” and “Game of Thrones,” these warriors have continued to captivate audiences with their bravery, skill, and larger-than-life personalities.
A Gallery Of Fantasy Knights
To help get your creative juices flowing, you can find a gallery of brilliant artwork depiciting fantasy knights below:
Where Do Ideas For Fantasy Knights Come From?
The idea of the fantasy knight all stems from medieval times and the knights that dominated both society and military life.
These walking tanks of steel plate were landowners as well as brave warriors. However, not all of them were as honest and chivalrous as the tales made them out to be. Given the power they had and the fact they all carried weapons, abuse wasn’t uncommon. It was for this reason that codes of behavior were introduced to keep knights in check. Let’s take a deeper look and in doing so learn more about the life of a medieval knight which could help inspire your fantasy stories.
The Knight’s Code Of Chivalry
Geoffroi de Charny was a French lord of Charny, a renowned knight who fought for France in the Hundred Years’ War.
Charny penned a couple of books in his life which proved influential. One of those was the Book of Chivalry, though historians have debated whether it was in fact written by one of his sons.
The purpose of this book was to explain the qualities expected of a knight, though some have argued it was a means of keeping powerful knights in check.
The book explores various themes, all centred around prowess:
- Worthiness – this relates to deeds of arms, such as successes in battles, tournaments and jousts. Deeds involving great danger and motivated by pure intentions are regarded as more worthy
- Responsibilities – knights were rules and Charny stated that they should behave as such, suggesting they should have a high moral standard
- Staying grounded – Charny warned knights from lapping up riches and pursuing pleasurable lifestyles. Instead, they should temper their eating habits and should prefer hard lodgings to soft beds, as well as luxurious clothes.
The Stereotype Of The Chivalric Knight
The stereotype of medieval knights portrays a hero who looks, walks, and talks like Lancelot of the Lake from the legends of King Arthur. They are handsome, honorable, and usually an unbeatable warrior.
I always felt that King Arthur himself was the original author of the Knight’s Code of Chivalry, though, I have nothing to base that upon other than what I have read and seen in the movies. After some research, I felt like I was not too far off the mark. Arthurian legend is rife with chivalry and the knight’s code is one predominant theme.
What Are The Qualities Of A Chivalrous Knight?
Knights were commanded and expected to live by the code. There were as many as seventeen rules. I found the Knight’s Code of Chivalry according to middle-ages.org.uk. It made for interesting reading and made my princess’s heart sigh.
The vision of a chivalrous knight and his respect for women is also partially why I gravitate to all things medieval when I write. Knights are typically portrayed as strong, good, protective, and romantic. (Yes, sorry, I used the “r” word). I immediately picture handsome Lancelot in shining silver armor, carrying a huge broadsword and riding a white horse.
The proverbial knight in shining armor sweeps in, rescues the damsel in distress from the evil knight, sorcerer, demon, king, etc. (choose a bad guy). They ride off together into the sunset and she rewards him with a kiss. That scenario in fantasy writing lends itself to endless possibilities in which a writer can use the traditional good vs. evil as a beginning. I do love a good damsel in distress!
Was The Knight Of Chivalry Aggressive?
Knights were expected to behave in a manner above reproach to honor God and their King, protect women and children, seek justice, and withhold the law, to name a few. They were to possess every good quality, such as fairness, generosity, respect, honesty, kindness, and, above all, courage.
According to the medieval life and times webpage, a “knight was expected to have not only the strength and skills to face combat in the violent era of the Middle Ages but was also expected to temper this aggressive side with a chivalrous side to his nature.”
Aggressive side? Yes, thus is created the evil knight, a bully who is the antagonist in many medieval stories. He is often a thief, a murderer, and/or an extortionist intent on kidnapping a princess or stealing a throne and taking power and gold. Wouldn’t the evil knight have taken the same oaths and the sacred vows as the good knights? I believe the answer is again yes.
However, human nature is what it is. Sometimes the evil knight uses his power and strength for wrong instead of good to gain wealth and tread on the weak. This dichotomy makes for the good romantic medieval knight in shining armor writing. It is often those faults of human nature that fantasy writers can use to create more interesting characters or aspects of characterization.
Applying The Traits Of The Knight Of Chivalry To Writing Fantasy
I acknowledge that in current fantasy writing, tropes such as the knight in shining armor and damsel in distress have been modernized. They seem to have been frowned upon as old-fashioned, boring, and cliché.
In today’s fantasy, it is the princess rescuing the knight. Or the knight decides that the code is too outdated, too difficult to follow, and adheres to his human nature.
I’m not saying there is anything wrong with that. Certainly, I applaud originality. World building, plot, and characterization do not have to follow archaic conventions to be read-worthy. For me, I find heroes like Beowulf and King Arthur inspiring, and I love instilling an unspoken code of chivalry into my main characters, be them male or female.
Whatever period your fantasy gravitates toward, those qualities will never become outdated.
How To Create A Fantasy Knight
When it comes to creating a fantasy knight character of your own, there are a few key elements to keep in mind. First, it’s important to establish a clear backstory for your character, including their origins, motivations, and goals. This will help to give your knight depth and make them more relatable to your audience.
Second, it’s important to give your knight unique and memorable qualities, such as a particular weapon or magical ability. This can help to set your knight apart from others in the genre and make them more memorable to your audience. Check out the brilliant video below by Shadiversity for some tips on making knights relevant in magic-filled worlds.
Finally, it’s important to consider your knight’s role in the world of your story. Are they a protector of the people, a mercenary for hire, or a lone adventurer? The role that your knight plays will help to shape their personality, motivations, and actions, making them a more compelling and interesting character.
So to recap, fantasy knights, are a staple of the genre, appearing in a variety of forms in books, games, movies, and more. When creating a fantasy knight of your own, it’s important to establish a clear backstory, give your character unique qualities, and consider their role in the world of your story. With these elements in mind, you can create a memorable and engaging fantasy knight that will captivate your audience.
Ideas For Fantasy Knight Armor
One way that you can elevate your standard man at arms is to arm them with interesting weapons or armor. Here are some examples of fantasy knight armor from books that feature magic or enchantments to help inspire some ideas:
- The Chain Mail of Beren – The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
In the world of Middle-earth, Beren was a mortal man who set out to retrieve a Silmaril, a magical gem, from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. To protect him on his quest, he was given a magical suit of chain mail that allowed him to pass unseen through the enemy’s ranks. - The Shield of the Round Table – The Once and Future King by T.H. White
In this retelling of the Arthurian legend, the knights of the Round Table are each given a magical shield that they can use to defend themselves in battle. These shields are enchanted with powerful magic that makes them nearly indestructible, and they are considered some of the greatest treasures of Camelot. - The Plate Armor of Aragorn – The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Aragorn, the future King of Gondor, wore a suit of enchanted plate armor that was said to have been made by the dwarves of Erebor. This armor was incredibly strong and lightweight, allowing Aragorn to move freely and fight with speed and grace. - The Plate Armor of Aenea – The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons
Aenea, the protagonist of the Hyperion Cantos, is a young woman who possesses immense magical powers. To protect herself, she wears a suit of enchanted plate armor that is said to be made from the remains of an ancient spacecraft. This armor is incredibly strong and provides Aenea with added protection against her enemies.
These are just a few examples of the armor worn by fantasy knights from books. From unbreakable plate armor to enchanted chain mail, these fantastical suits of armor play a vital role in the stories of these knights, helping to protect them as they set out on their adventures and face incredible dangers.
You can also head here to read my in-depth guide on creating fantasy armor.
Learn More About Writing Fantasy
If you’d like to learn more about creating a fantasy knight or about writing in the genre generally, check out the links below:
- Head here to learn about the lives of lords in the Middle Ages, many of whom where knights
- A guide to creating fantasy worlds
- How to write a fight scene in a book
- 120 Fantasy Writing Prompts – If you’d like a hand coming up with ideas for your fantasy stories, head here to find a big list of prompts for each sub genre.
- Or head here to learn more about fantasy writing
Most nights you can find him up into the wee hours scribbling away or watching the NBA.
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