What would the training/excersise routine look like for an average Knight or professional Man at Arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, in order to stay in fighting shape? Did the Medieval world have a functional concept of fitness and nutrition?

by LateNightPhilosopher
SpartiateDienekes

So, here's a fun one. There is little in the way of a formal school of thought on how a knight should exercise, but what we do have comes from the 14th century. We get training manuals with how to use weapons, with some suggestions on how to train in various fechtbuchs and the like. Filippo Dardi an Italian fencing master suggested that a man training to fight with a longsword should practice for two hours every day, including Sunday and other holidays/days of rest.

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However, once you've mastered the art of combat the training was not over. The famous french knight Boucicaut had his workout regiment listed in his biography. Now, it should be noted that Boucicaut was considered a particularly formidable and strong man. His workout went like this:

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  • In full armor, vault onto your horse until exhausted.
  • Run and hike in armor
  • Set up a ladder somewhere sturdy, then climb up the bottom only using your arms, in armor, still, of course
  • Take your heaviest armor and weapons (his warhammers) and strike with them for a long time to be certain you will not grow tired of moving your arms in combat
  • Somersault in full armor except for your helmet.
  • Dance while wearing mail
  • And after all that, compete in strength contests with the young squires, including throwing lances.

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Basically a lot of rigorous endurance and agility tests, while being weighted down by your military equipment.