Step past suits of armor from opposite ends of the world and through a castle gate into a story of knights, hidden passages, and the secrets castles were built to protect.
Most knights began training as young as age seven, first serving as a page before becoming a squire and finally earning their knighthood in their late teens or twenties.
A complete suit of plate armor typically weighed 20 to 25 kilograms, spread evenly across the body — about the same as a loaded school backpack.
Moats, drawbridges, and spiral staircases were all designed to slow enemies and funnel them into places defenders could fight from above.
Many real castles included secret passages and hidden rooms called priest holes, used to hide people or allow a quick, quiet escape.
A knight's primary weapon on horseback was usually a lance — the sword came out only after the lance broke or the fight moved to close range.
Take the quiz and earn the History Explorer badge for your Explorer Passport. Inspired by Kid Explorers: Knights, Castles & Hidden History!