Pronunciation: [nˈa͡ɪt sˈɜːvɪs] (IPA) 
Knight service is a term that refers to the military service rendered by a knight in exchange for protection and patronage from a lord. The spelling of this term is notable for the silent "k" at the beginning of the word, which is pronounced as /n/ due to a process called k-silentization that occurred in Middle English. The word is transcribed in IPA as /naɪt/ and /ˈsɜːvɪs/, with stress on the second syllable of "service".
Knight service refers to a type of feudal obligation or duty that a knight owed to their lord in medieval Europe. It was a system established during the Middle Ages, where knights or noblemen would serve their liege lords in exchange for land grants and protection. The practice of knight service was an integral part of the feudal society, primarily prevalent from the 9th to the 15th centuries.
In this arrangement, a knight was expected to offer military service, commonly known as military tenures, to their lord in times of conflict or war. Knights were required to provide a specific number of armed and mounted soldiers, for a predetermined period, to serve in the lord's army. This often involved a specified number of days of service per year, usually 40 days or more.
Knight service was seen as a reciprocal relationship, with the lord granting the knight a fiefdom or landholding in exchange for their military support. The knight would then become the lord's vassal, swearing an oath of fealty and loyalty. The land granted to the knight, known as a knight's fee, was typically held on the condition that they fulfilled their military obligations and provided support to their lord whenever required.
In addition to military service, knight service might also involve less martial duties such as attending the lord's court, acting as a bodyguard, or providing advice and counsel. The feudal system and the practice of knight service played a crucial role in the organization of medieval society, establishing a hierarchical structure based on loyalty, protection, and land tenure.
The word "knight service" has its origins in Old English and Middle English.
The term "knight" comes from the Old English word "cniht", meaning a servant or retainer. It was used to refer to a military servant or warrior during the medieval period.
The word "service" derives from the Old French word "service", which originally meant "assistance" or "to serve". It has Latin roots in the word "servitium", which also means "service" or "servitude".
When combined, the phrase "knight service" refers to the feudal obligations and duties that a knight held in service to a lord or monarch. This included military service, protection, and other duties such as attending court or performing administrative tasks.
