Did Sir Cumference Make the Round Table? Quiz

Answer: "A Knight Like This" by Rico Niezyu

(Note) In case you missed the instructions... the corrected fractures will appear within this (and subsequent) information, in CAPITAL letters.

The fracture clues above were all orders of knights. The Knights HOSPITALLER, officially, the Order of the Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, were a Catholic military order that was established circa 1070. Their initial mission was to provide medical care and protection for Christian pilgrims, but they soon evolved into a powerful military force, based in the Holy Lands.

Also formed in the Holy Lands, during the Crusades, around 1190, were the TEUTONIC Knights. This was another Roman Catholic institution that began life as a brotherhood but soon grew to be a crusading order of knights. Last on the above list were the Knights TEMPLAR. Highly recognizable, thanks to their white mantles that bore large red crosses, the group was an elite military order that was founded in 1118. Initially they were also used to provide protection to the pilgrims in the Holy Lands, but they grew to become a powerful international banking force that was eventually suppressed by King Philip IV of France, in 1307.

Answer: "You Got to Serve Somebody"

Being a knight came with its own set of duties, and the above fractures resolve into the names of some of the groups of people to whom the knights were held to be responsible i.e. NOBLES, BISHOPS and the highly romanticized DAMSELS IN DISTRESS.

Whilst a knight was, primarily, responsible to his liege (lord) or his monarch, his duties were more complex than merely being a sword for hire. Yes, he was required to fight, but he was also bound to the code of chivalry and operated as a defender of the faith. He was tasked with protecting the weak, providing counsel to his lord and to administer justice.

(Footnote) Whilst one of the options above, "Good Lords", could bring nobles under its umbrella, it did not cover either bishops or damsels.

Answer: "A Knight's Roles"

MILITARY SERVICE was almost a given for knights, particularly as they were capable of both short duration/high intensity combat or battles that lasted several hours, though the latter would be conducted intermittently.

Beyond combat knights acted as BODYGUARDS for the nobles and were also expected to GUARD THE CASTLE for their lords or monarchs. Additionally, they were expected to maintain a Code of Chivalry, perform administrative duties, resolve disputes, enforce the law and manage lands.

(Footnotes) A carder is a wool comber and viz means "that is to say".

Answer: "Putting Important into Deportment" by Court Lee Grace

The knight's Code of Prowess required that they showed bravery, strength and skill in battle. The opposite side of that was their Code of Chivalry which called upon them to exhibit, not only, MANNERS and COURTESY but to extend that by showing respect towards women, providing protection to the vulnerable and displaying GENEROSITY to others.

Answer: "Saucers Full of Secrets" by Alicia Moor Floyd

Here we are talking about magicians and their ilk and there may have been some smoke and mirrors at play as well (sorry, not sorry). Yes, "Saucers Full of Secrets" may have alluded to some form of tasseomancy (the art of reading tea leaves) but, the introduction to this question spoke of real or imagined "people", whereas the incorrect answer only spoke of a divination or an art, not persons.

The above fractured people amounted to MERLIN, SORCERERS, and WIZARDS. Magicians did exist throughout history though, unlike the conjurers and spell casters in fantasy novels, they were seen as "cunning folk". Within this group were the likes of the shaman, alchemists, diviners, herbalists, witches and the mages. Whereas the knights were the amoured vehicles of the monarchy, the wizards were its "glass grenades", providing the monarch with counsel and advice in respect to magical dangers and omens.

(Footnotes) (a) A surd is an irrational number expressed as an unresolved root, either square, cubed or otherwise. (b) "Saucers Full of Secrets" was a take on Pink Floyd's 1968 album "A Saucerful of Secrets". The sharp eyed music lovers might have also noted the author's name also divines as Pink Floyd (Alicia Moor - correctly Moore - is the birth name of the singer known as Pink).

Answer: "Scary Monsters and Other Beasties" by The Avid Bowmen

It was a good choice by our damaged knight as the lesson centred on mythical beasts, namely OGRES, DRAGONS and THE GRIFFINS.

Knights versus monsters is a foundation trope that firmly resides within Western folklore. The pair represent the forces of good and evil, with the knight (generally in shining armour) being the pillar of justice and the champion of Christianity. On the other hand, the monsters were symbols of sin, greed, chaos and paganism. The most potent example of this is the tale, which emerged in the Middle Ages, of Saint George slaying the dragon.

Answer: "Odyssey Wrecks" by Jason Agincourt

Little wonder our disintegrating knight was excited... this wasn't history in his eyes, this was adventure. These were quests that knights, both real and mythical, had embarked upon.

The First CRUSADE was a campaign initiated by Pope Urban II to assist the Byzantine Empire to wrest control of the Holy Lands from Muslim control. The mission, which began in 1095, ended in 1099 with the creation of four Crusade states. That same Crusade also involved THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM, a violent mission that saw the European knights massacre the city's residents and install bitter memories into the traditions of Islam.

At the core of Arthurian legend is the SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL, a cup that was highly prized for its healing properties. Many knights embarked upon this quest but, as it eventually proved to be a test of spiritual purity, only Sir Galahad was deemed fit to complete it.

Answer: Saddle

The above fractures are all synonyms for a horse - STALLION, EQUINE and FILLY.

The horse is so central to the identity of a knight that, in some languages, the word knight translates to either rider or horseman. For example, the French term "chevalier" can mean either of horseman or cavalier. Similarly, cheval in French is horse in English.

More than just a means of transport, the horse is vital for a knight in battle. It provides him with a tactical advantage over foot soldiers by virtue of speed, height and superior mobility.

Answer: Careful, they're sharp

The swords that were mentioned above are the CLAYMORE, the BROADSWORD and the SCIMITAR.

The initial charge by a knight into battle is generally conducted on horseback with the rider bearing a lance, however, in the midst of the melee that ensues, the sword offers far greater versatility and becomes an indispensable weapon for the warrior.

The sword, however, goes beyond being a mere weapon for battle. It provides the knight with a profound symbol of status and broadcasts a measure of his authority and power. It is also an emblem of his faith and, because of its shape, an object that becomes a personal crucifix for him when he needs to pray.

(Footnote) Meta means, of something that has been written or performed, referring to itself or to something of its own genre or type.

Answer: "Hark the Heraldry Angles Sing" by Cordov Arms

The above fractures are all elements of an heraldic achievement - an achievement being a full and formal display of all the heraldry components that have been granted, earned or assumed by a person or family.

The ESCUTCHEON or shield is the most important element and will be the central ingredient of that achievement.
SUPPORTERS are usually animals or human beings that stand (and support) either side of the shield. This is an element that is generally reserved for those of noble rank.
BADGES are extra emblems that have a distinct link to the bearer but have not been incorporated into the main shield.

So why is heraldry so important. Firstly, the armour that the knight wears into battle, not only provides him with protection, it does a good job of concealing his identity. Without the heraldry it would be difficult, if not impossible, to differentiate between friend or foe.

Beyond the battlefield it represents honour, highlights the knight's ancestral history as well as showcasing his own heroic deeds. The achievement is then handed down through the generations.

(Footnotes) Yonne is a department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region of north-central France. A dur, in music, is a major in a major mode e.g. C Dur = C Major.