Esquire

A young man of gentle birth, who as an aspirant to knighthood, attended upon a knight, carried his shield, and rendered him other services.

"At the age of twelve or thirteen more serious things would begin to occupy the boy's time. Instead of spending many hours in the lady's bower he would be mainly engaged in his lord's affairs, such as the 'manage' of the horse, the complicated ritual of the hunt, the care of hounds and of hawks and how to look after his master's armour and weapons. When his lord rode out he would attend him and would await anxiously while the outcome of the battle or the tourney was uncertain. At home he would greet the guests on their arrival, showing them to their quarters, waiting on their needs and proving himself to be a young man of quality as he ministered to them. By the cultivation of his abilities in these ways he hoped to deserve his title of esquire, and could look forward to further chances of showing valour and gentleness in war and peace and to advancement in his career."

Six Medieval Men & Women, "Sir John Fastolf," H. S. Bennett (1955).