Knightology: A True Account of the Most Valiant Knights

by Dugald A. Steer

Overview

What does it really take to be a knight? Peruse this lavish novelty volume and be surprised.

From the secret order of Round Table Knights comes a tell-all guide to the mythical occupation of knighthood — its history, mysterious quests, and puzzles that live on to this day. Inspired by the life of a most exemplary knight, this fascinating book explores the art of mastering sword and lance, the essential (and prohibitively expensive) war-horse, the ins and outs of a castle that a knight might defend, and the skills needed to prevail in a jousting tournament, with all its pageantry. No investigation of knighthood would be complete without a look at the Crusades, and a celebration of legendary knights such as King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, and Sir Gawain, plus vaunted icons such as Excalibur and the Holy Grail. In true ’Ology fashion, this tip of the lance to a noble (and misunderstood) profession offers a variety of interactive flaps and other novelties to keep young squires fully entertained.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763698485
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	11/14/2017
Series:	Ologies Series
Pages:	30
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 12.10(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	10 - 12 Years

Editorial Reviews

Would-be young squires will get basic lowdowns on knights of both yore—particularly William Marshall, a warrior of the 12th and 13th centuries who served five English kings—and lore, knightly training, chivalric behavior, jousting, and select early Crusades.
—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

01/01/2018
Gr 4 Up—The latest title in the series starts with a letter from "Sir Lancelot Marshall," exhorting would-be knights to help defend England and solve the puzzle, based on clues in the book, of the last resting place of King Arthur and Excalibur. Readers travel back to Queen Elizabeth's reign with the Secret Order of the Round Table, learning what it takes to go from squire to knight. This is a richly detailed history of knighthood, famous knights, infamous battles, the importance of horses and armor, and more. Information is packed onto the highly illustrated pages with tidbits galore. For example, spiral stairs in castles veer to the left so that attacking soldiers' use of their right hand is limited. Each spread covers a separate topic, such as "Hero Knights of Legend" and the Crusades. Multiple illustrations cover the pages as well as numerous flaps, fold outs, maps, and envelopes that open to reveal removable letters. Even readers already knowledgeable about the Middle Ages and Arthurian lore will learn something new. This oversize gem-embellished novelty book will likely appeal to younger readers who may struggle with the vocabulary, but the interactivity makes it perfect for reading alongside an adult. VERDICT A surprisingly comprehensive overview of all-things knightly that would greatly interest middle school students.—Lee De Groft, Jamestown High School, Williamsburg, VA

School Library Journal

2017-11-13
A charge through the glory days of knighthood, led by a latter-day Master of the Secret Order of the Round Table.Presented as an updated facsimile of an Elizabethan-era volume that was embedded in a stone until pulled free by one of the publisher's children, this lap-sized manual offers scattershot commentary on an array of knightly topics illustrated with modern painted views of heavily armored figures, weaponry, and castles. Would-be young squires will get basic lowdowns on knights of both yore—particularly William Marshall, a warrior of the 12th and 13th centuries who served five English kings—and lore, knightly training, chivalric behavior, jousting, and select early Crusades. Along with an introductory missive in an envelope, special features include a few sliding panels, overlapping flaps that allow readers to (partially) undress a knight, and mounted booklets containing abbreviated accounts of famous medieval battles, a version of "Gawain and the Green Knight," and like fare. For budding knights-errant coded clues throughout purportedly lead to the Holy Grail, which is depicted at the end as an elaborately decorated chalice with an inset "jewel." All of the figures are white, European men aside from the odd horse, damsel (also white), or olive-skinned Saracen. More a few quick stabs at the topic than a solid bashing—but lively despite its relatively light load of bells and whistles. (Fictionalized informational novelty. 9-11)

Kirkus Reviews