Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

In medieval Europe, a squire was a young man of noble birth who served an apprenticeship in the duties of chivalry. Initially, squires assisted knights, attending to their armor and weapons. This role was part of a broader educational path for noble youth, which also included training as pages. Pages, typically younger, would eventually be promoted to squire. This progression was designed to prepare them for knighthood, leadership, and estate management. The term "squire" also referred to a landowner of the British gentry, ranking below a knight.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.