Knights

Knights are a rarity at present in the 9th century. True knights have not developed as yet, and won't for two or three centuries. Most of this kind of unit composes of the most heavily armed, armoured & trained fighters in a region, some of which are of noble stock. The others are professional soldiers with close links to the nobility, and usually a title of two themselves. Either way it takes a considerable amount of cash & time, and a good bit of luck for some to get to this rank. Every knight has access to a warhorse too, of which is bred for strength, and if need be aggression, as well as many being heavily armoured too. Heavy armour such as full plate, half plate, chain shirt, and chainmail are used, at least by a few. Other heavy armour is available, and some are regional or racial in build & design. The main access for full or partial plate is generally modified Dwarven plate, given that race's knowledge of metal working, and with many of their own troops using it. They guard the process of making it a guarded secret in case their enemies get this knowledge too, or have it turned against them by others.
Each knight is expected to fight unless they pay an amount of gold to their masters, and this can be quite steep. Also, many are expected to defend those lower down the caste system in their respective societies. A few times though, a knight turns rogue, and the damage one can do is severe, and will bring all manner of a nation's law down on the one.
They are expected to lead cavalry charges from the front with their fellows, usually using spears & lances, followed by attacking with fighting with close quarter melee attacks if need be. Most time they prefer to fight from horseback, though they can easily fight on foot. Doing either attack, they will vary their weapons, and if alone will choose the weapons that makes most sense, along with which one's the knight is most skilled with. Long swords, maces, war picks, and war hammers are some of their main weapons, though the long sword, and lesser degree great sword, are the most common.

Type

Cavalry