Knights

Who and what were the knights? How did they live? Castle-builders, royal henchmen, battle-enthusiasts and holy warriors all rolled into one, they are among history's enigmas. The lives of men like Heinrich Thangeln and Reinbold von Rappoldstein vividly illustrate how an ordinary rider could eventually become a knight.

Gaining honour, respect and glory is all-important to the medieval knight. And embarking on a crusade to the Holy Land in pursuit of the 'infidels' is one way of getting it. Of course, there's also the promise of land and untold riches. And by demonstrating their love of God in this way, the crusaders believed they could secure their access to paradise.

"He can kiss my behind" - the famous quote of Götz von Berlichingen to a bailiff, immortalised by the young Goethe. It's a sign of changing times. Like his ancestors, the young Imperial Knight Götz is destined to fight for his emperor to gain honour and defend the rights of his people. But who is to pay for all this fighting and fanfare?