Men of Iron

Men of Iron is set at the turn of the 14th Century in Medieval England, toward the end of the Middle Ages (approximately 500 AD-1500 AD). During this period, a single monarch ruled England, with nobles constituting the supportive roles of the ruling class under the King. These nobles varied in social status, material wealth, political influence, and their level of favor from the monarch. At the time, the King did not maintain an army sufficient enough to engage in large-scale warfare, whether it be foreign or domestic. One of the primary duties of a noble was to contribute to the defense of the King’s interests. The monarch relied on armies fed, supplied, and trained by nobles when in need of military aid. Noble houses, particularly castles and estates belonging to those of significant rank and power, were as much barracks and training facilities for soldiers as they were family homes and local institutions.

The most valued and respected members of the fighting class were knights, expert horsemen-warriors granted elevated rank based on their conduct, morality, and achievements. Knights were noble-born and customarily began as pages, advancing to the rank of squire before becoming eligible for knighthood. Like Myles Falworth and the other squires of Devlen Castle, these young men were sent to noble homes for formal instruction and training. There, young boys learned to use a multitude of weapons ranging from wooden staves to swords, lances, and other instruments of war. However, knighthood was not a guarantee; squires may serve a Lord in their household and the battlefield their entire careers without ever earning the opportunity to be knighted. The majority of knights were given battlefield commissions, impromptu ceremonies held in the midst of warfare acknowledging a squire’s heroism. The Ceremony of the Bath, in which Myles participates, is a more formal, religiously grounded process toward knighting—but once a knight, regardless of how one’s title was conferred, all were considered equal.

Knights followed the Chivalric Code, a doctrine that governed every aspect of their lives—including morality. They were expected to be adamant in their defense of the weak, faithful to God and their fellow knights, respectful of women, and unable to refuse a challenge issued by an equal (and were to meet these challenges fairly). The Chivalric Code is present in Men of Iron, but isn’t universally heeded (and often outright ignored). While adherence to the Chivalric Code was considered a mandate for knights, as proven by history, the Code was often relegated to the role of aspirational ideal rather than a demand without exceptions.