Around the age of 10, a boy of noble blood is sent off to be tutored by a warden. The warden may be a relative, an ally/friend of the family, or the liege of his father. The boy’s warden will provide him with room and board, but his father is expected to keep him with clothing, arms and armour.
The boy serves at his warden's household as a page. Pages wait at tables, fetch and bring and take care of horses and dogs, and perform maintainance work on armour and armaments. They learn the ways of the court and the virtues of knighthood, in part by observation, and in part through instruction from their warden.
At age fifteen, the youth will become a squire, unless he is sent off to be educated as an oratore (most commonly a cleric).
A youth starts his service as a squire to another knight at the age of fifteen. This knight is his master and mentor for approximately six years. A squire's duties mirror those of a shieldbearer. The squire continues to learn of both courtly and martial ways from his mentor. A knight may not have more than one squire at a time.
A young nobleman is usually knighted after six or more years of service as a squire. It is very unusual for anyone to be knighted before coming of age (21st birthday), but in exceptional cases it may happen. A knight must then find his place in the ranks of knighthood.
Dancing and tennis are considered slightly womanly pursuits. Most noblemen dance fairly well, but to play tennis or dance expertly is considered the mark of either an courteous lover or an effeminate wretch. Many noblemen who themselves lack grace with women claim that all courteous lovers are effeminate wretch