Page — The lowest rank on the road to becoming a knight. Beginning at age 7, a page runs errands, waits tables, and is taught etiquette by the Lady of the castle. The page would accompany his knight on the field to help however he could. Already knowing how to ride, he now learned horsemanship, training by leaping over ditches and walls, being able to spring into the saddle without touching the stirrup, and how to be as home on the back of a horse as on his own feet. He practiced with light weapons: sword, lance, and bow. He learned swimming and fencing and boxing, fighting mock contests with other boys. He learned the arts of hunting and hawking.
 
Squire — The middle rank after being a page but before being dubbed a knight, a squire begins at age 14 or 15 as a personal servant to the knight acting as a valet, carrying his lord's shield and armor. Then he helped to array the night in his armor with all of its complicated fastenings. He also took care of the knight's own horse and taking care of prisoners of war. More service was thus required of a squire, and more strenuous exercises as well. He never sat at the same table with his lord. A brave young man with considerable experience, but courteous and humble. After a meal, the squires and pages would clear the hall for dancing or bring out the checkerboards or chessboards. The squires were permitted to share in the amusement that went on. He practiced writing love songs. He learned to leap farther, run longer, climb jagged near-vertical cliffs. He learned how to bear hunger, thirst, heat, cold, and sleeplessness. He started using larger and heavier weapons, including a battle-axe. He started wearing armor, and learning to move in it easily. He practiced with the quintain to learn how to joust. If the squire served a banneret, he would often get to bear the banner or pennon into battle.