escuier

escuier is a term with historical significance, primarily referring to a young nobleman in training for knighthood. The role of an escuier, often translated as squire, was a crucial step in the medieval chivalric system. An escuier would typically begin their service in adolescence, often around the age of seven, attending a knight or another noble. Their duties were varied and included caring for the knight's armor, weapons, and horse, as well as accompanying them into battle. The escuier learned martial skills, etiquette, and the code of chivalry through direct observation and participation. Upon reaching maturity, typically in their late teens or early twenties, and having proven their worth, an escuier might be knighted in a formal ceremony. The term escuier also had broader applications, sometimes referring to anyone who carried a shield, regardless of noble status. In later periods, the term could also denote a household servant or attendant. The concept of the escuier highlights the structured social hierarchy and the importance of military training in medieval European society.