"The preparatory education of candidates for knighthood was long and arduous"

This quote by Thomas Bulfinch talks to the devotion and commitment required to become a knight in the Middle Ages. The process of ending up being a knight was a long and challenging one, and the preparatory education of candidates was a crucial part of this. Prospects for knighthood would need to undergo a strenuous training program, which might last for several years. This would consist of physical training, such as horsemanship and martial arts, along with mental training, such as discovering the code of chivalry and the unwritten laws. Prospects would also have to show their courage and commitment in battle, as well as their capability to lead and inspire others. Ending up being a knight was a great honor, and the preparatory education of prospects was a required action in achieving this.