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Under the influence of the Church towards the end of the Eleventh century, Knighthood underwent a transformation from military institution to glorious profession, giving rise to an era when chivalric spirit was in it's prime.

     Up until the fall of Jerusalem the Christian church had always adopted a pacifistic stance to aggression but during the centuries that followed Christendom was forced to defend itself with the very weapons used against it. The rise of Islam in the East during the seventh century marked the first real turning point in the churches attitude to war, Christianity sought to mobilise itself militarily as fast as possible.

    Mindful of it's interests both at home and abroad the Church saw that she could use the feudal Knight to her own advantage. These hot-tempered, undisciplined military men could satisfy their thirst for war and adventure while saving Christendom from extinction.

  Although it remained a sin to kill a Christian, a pilgrimage to the Holy Land involving the slaughter of "Saracen Infidels " would be quite acceptable in the eyes of God. As a reward for this great work Knights would receive plenary indulgence upon their return to Europe.  Christian Chivalry was still in it's infancy, but slowly, through the influence of the church and it's refusal to abandon it's crusading ideal, it began to assume a more definite aspect. For now as the Century drew to a close, it was the custom of every nobleman to educate his son in the orders of Knighthood. As the Crusades continued the great crusading orders were established - the Hospitallers, the Templars and the Teutonic Knights. By the early Twelfth century the Church had succeeded in taking control of the ceremony of Knightly investiture. Religion had succeeded in consecrating that most Lordly vocation every young man of gentle birth longed to follow.