October 22, 1956. THE AGE OF CHIVALRY. A Knight. Before gunpowder changed the methods of war there was a period known as the age of chivalry. The word chivalry originally meant a knight, but now it means the courtesy and honor for which many knights became renowned. In those days there were no large cities. People lived in scattered groups in and around large castles, under the protection of a king or baron. This leader gathered about him a band of knights who defended the castle. Knights also fought in tournaments and went on crusades. Here is a knight in armor. Color the picture with your crayons and then paste it down on cardboard. Cut out the parts carefully, and fold back the ends on the dotted lines so the knight will stand. The big helmet was used in tournaments. It covered the neck and head completely, and was well padded inside. The lighter helmet was worn in lesser combats. You can put either of them on the knight by folding the tabs back around his head. The sword can be slipped through the slots of the right hand.
October 23, 1956. THE AGE OF CHIVALRY. A King. The lord of the castle governed his small community like a king, having absolute power over the people in return for his protection. Because his life was often in danger from the envious he usually wore body armor beneath his rich robes. The king's throne was carved in fantastic shapes and richly gilded, he wore a jeweled crown, and carried a scepter, or baton. Many stories of great kings have come down to us in legend. Most famous of these is King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table in the castle of Camelot. Use your brightest crayons to color this picture, and then paste it down on cardboard. Cut out the parts carefully, and slit, as indicated, on each side of his hands. Then you can slip the scepter into his right hand, or slip the sword under both hands, so it lies across his knees. Cut the opening in the crown and put it on his head. Fold back the lion chair on the dotted lines and king will sit on his throne.
October 24, 1956. THE AGE OF CHIVALRY. A Squire. A boy who hoped to become a knight left his home when very young and was admitted to the castle of a nobleman. Until he was 14 the boy served the lord and lady of the castle as a page. At 14 he became a squire to a knight. He looked after the knight's armor, helped him to put it on and to mount his horse. If the knight was wounded in battle his squire came to his aid, and led him away from the field. When he was 21 the squire would himself become a knight. Use your crayons to color this picture, and paste it down on cardboard. Cut out the parts carefully, and fold the right panel forward and the left panel back on the dotted lines so the squire will stand. Cut the slits on either side of his right hand. Fold the tab at the top of the shield and push it into the slot on top of the squire's left hand. Fasten the banner to a long thin stick slipped through the holes at the edge. This can then be slipped into his right hand.
October 25, 1956. THE AGE OF CHIVALRY. A Queen. The queen or baroness looked after home life in the castle. These great stone buildings were cold and dark in spite of big logs blazing in the fireplaces. The walls were covered with tapestries and there were shaggy fur skins on the floor. When there was peace in the land the queen might ride out with her attendants, but most of her life was spent in the castle. She passed the time by playing chess, checkers or backgammon, or by working on tapestries and embroidery with her attendants. Wandering minstrels would sometimes call at the castle and entertain them with songs and stories. Here is a queen sitting on a gilded chair on the castle battlements. She is wearing a small crown, but sometimes she wears the high conical headdress with a floating veil. Color this picture with your crayons, and then paste it down on cardboard. Cut out the parts and fold the right end forward at the dotted line so the figure will stand. Cut the slit in the headdress and slip it on the queen's head.
October 26, 1956. THE AGE OF CHIVALRY. A Jester and a Page. Every big castle had a jester to provide amusement. He wore ridiculous clothes, half red and half yellow, with bells sewn over them. Besides being full of jokes he could usually dance nimbly and sing. Sometimes he kept a bird which he taught to talk, and carried a funny scepter in imitation of the king's. The queen's little page could sing to the accompaniment of a lute. He was often far from home, but he was well looked after and was learning to become a knight. Color this picture with your crayons and paste it down on cardboard. Cut out the parts carefully. Fold the larger piece forward on the dotted line and the group will stand. Cut out the opening in the bird rest, and cut the slit in the perch. Slip the tab on the bird into the slit and fold back. Put the jester's scepter into his hand through the slit indicated in the fingers of the right hand.
October 27, 1956. THE AGE OF CHIVALRY. A Wizard. In olden days people believed in magic and most castles had a wizard. He was a wise old man, sometimes good, sometimes bad, who thought he could foretell the future by gazing in a crystal ball. He lived in a dark room in the castle where the corners were full of cobwebs and bats and there were shelves of dried herbs and volumes of ancient spells. The king believed his wizard could help him to win battles by brewing a spell or muttering a few magic words. Here is a wizard seated in his carved dragon chair. Color the picture with your crayons and then paste it down on cardboard. Cut out the parts carefully. Fold back the end of the desk on the dotted line so it will stand. Cut the slit in the top of the jar with a face on it. Cut out the star at the top - - or use a silver star sold in stationery stores - -and paste it on the end of a toothpick painted red. Put it into the jar by the desk. This is the wizard's wand, ready to use when he wants to cast a spell.
JUNIOR EDITOR for children appeared daily in newspapers from the 1950's through the early 1970's.
