Hi, I have several questions, if someone would be so kind to answer them, it would be greatly appreciated.

1. When did the concept of knights of the Golden Spur first appear, and what caused the development of this form of knighthood?

2. More specifically, when did it first arrive in the Kingdoms of Spain, and how did this knighthood extend itself to overseas possessions like Sicily or Naples?

3. How different militarily were they from 'traditional' knights? Were they considered more elite? Or were they cut from the same cloth essentially? What did their training look like, and how regimented was their upbringing?

4. I've done a bit of reading here and there, and I've noticed that it was frequently mentioned that they were allowed to wear golden armor, and wield golden weapons, how true is that? Did you often see knights attired like the guy on the right? Would it be functional to wear so much gold, and what did their armor styles typically look like (with an emphasis on Aragonese and Southern Italian Knights)?

5. How invested was a King or Monarch in the raising/dubbing of a knight of the Golden Spur? A distant ancestor of mine was supposedly dubbed by the King of Aragon (Pietro D'Aragona{?}), although he was from Italy. Is it likely he may have known the King on a personal level, or was it a distinction for service to the crown? Also, how would they contribute to the King's campaign? How would they function in battle? Would they lead the charge, or would they operate in conjunction with other knights?

6. Lastly, what books can you recommend to me on this subject? Specifically on Knighthood in Spain and Italy.

Thank you!