My question is how do knights deal with old age, i Know that a lot of knights will die way before they reach old age but what about those that do?
Do they still have to perform their knightly duties (eg. ride into battle) or can they be exempt?
how do that factor into their status?
And what about any offices they might hold?
The reason i ask this is that sir Elad the marshal of Salisbury, in my campaign is becoming an old man and is at the point where he almost can't ride anymore, what would that mean for him and his position in society?

My question is how do knights deal with old age, i Know that a lot of knights will die way before they reach old age but what about those that do?


They have the wisdom of their years and are valued advisers to their liege lord.



Do they still have to perform their knightly duties (eg. ride into battle) or can they be exempt?


In principle, yes. In practice, you'd always need someone to mind the shop back home, garrison the castles, and so forth. Those old knights would be prime candidates for castellanships and other 'less active' duties.

If they are good for it, though, they can still participate in war and many would. After all, the lance charge is where it's at, and even if the arm is getting weaker, the high skills (especially Battle) make them valued as eschille leaders, too.

Once they are decrepit enough not to be able to ride and fight, I think at that point many of them would recognise their own limits and probably consider retiring to a monastery for the last years of their lives, to devote the remainder of their lives to God (and hence ensure that they have a ticket to Heaven waiting when they die; something that warriors who have done their share of killing might not be too sure about beforehand).



how do that factor into their status?


By that time they should be nicely outstripping most other knights in Glory, and their white beards and past deeds should be enough to accord them with the respect of their youngers. Sure, it doesn't always happen, but that is when someone who does have manners better than an ox will challenge the loudmouth into a duel, or the liege lord will censure the dastard for his uncouth behavior. Depends of course on your vision of the society and the old knight in question: a famously Cowardly and Prudent old knight would definitely not be accord the same respect as Sir Gwraid of the Hundred-Battles, even if Sir Gwraid is having trouble remembering what year it is.



And what about any offices they might hold?


As long as the liege lord wants them to hold the office, they will.



The reason i ask this is that sir Elad the marshal of Salisbury, in my campaign is becoming an old man and is at the point where he almost can't ride anymore, what would that mean for him and his position in society?


See above. Sir Elad can always get a deputy marshal to do all the riding around for him. As long as Roderick (or whoever is in charge of Salisbury at this time) is happy with having Sir Elad in that position, he will keep it. Granted, I can easily hear some whispers that maybe it is time for the old warhorse to retire to the comfort of his home, but on the other hand, the man has served the family faithfully for what, half a century by that time? I'd be seriously tempted to go with the deputy rather than embarrass or insult a faithful old knight by dismissing him from the office. Naturally, that does mean that most of the power of the office would start to slide to the hands of the deputy (especially if Sir Elad is starting to get more senile), but Sir Elad would still be the respected Grand Old Man of the Salisbury's court, a living link to the past, the time when he fought alongside (well, in the same army at least) King Aurelius Ambrosius against the tyrant Vortigern and the dread Saxon King, Hengest. "Before any of you young whippersnappers were even born!"

William Marshal was still fighting at age 70, and some Arthurian traditions have knights well over a hundred years old coming in and kicking ass on the Round Table knights of Arthur's day. Even the Book of Uther (soon-to-be-released!) has Duke Eldol at about a hundred years old!

You can do what you want in your campaign, but remember you need not be constrained by modern notions of old age. This is still heroic fantasy. Most importantly, do what works best for the story you want to tell. If that means an improbably old geezer is still formidable in his 70s, so be it! You wouldn't want all venerable knights to be that capable, but nothing prevents you from having some remarkable heroes, even at an improbable age.


T.

My 2c.
Being a knight is not an occupation, but a way of life. So you would rarely see a knight retire.

Being an officer is also not just a job. It is an honor bestowed upon them. If remember correctly there is an instance where a knight who was a chamberlain to a king that acted as the kings valet, and did menial labour just to proof that he was the chamberlain.

Of course if a knight feels he cannot fulfil his obligations, then he would probably get into some psychological turmoil and can even lead to madness. Remember all passion can lead to madness, even loyalty. Retiring to a monestary and live out your days there is a way to go, but a knight will onlycdo this if he gets leave from his lord.

Of course a knight can also assign someone to do his duties on the battlefield. But some knights may feel that they need to be there in person.

IMG The battle bannner of Salisbury is carried by one of the household knights of Earl Robert. He is currently in his 60s, but even a hint that some younger knight should carry it makes him made. The honor is his and he will carry the banner with pride and dignity. And so he goes to war and rides in the front of the battle.

If going blind (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Bohemia)is no obstacle to joining the charge, why should age be?! :)

Just a few farthings to add here

My 2c.
Being a knight is not an occupation, but a way of life. So you would rarely see a knight retire.

Nicely said!
However, we do see knights who retire from the life's activity to spend old age
I believe it is ol' duke Ulfius who advises a knight during the Grailquest


Being an officer is also not just a job. It is an honor bestowed upon them. If remember correctly there is an instance where a knight who was a chamberlain to a king that acted as the kings valet, and did menial labour just to proof that he was the chamberlain.

Menial labor is nothing compared to some of the historical tqasks
especially the Keeper of the King's Stool
Yes, his job was to, er, wipe... Can't go on


Of course if a knight feels he cannot fulfil his obligations, then he would probably get into some psychological turmoil and can even lead to madness. Remember all passion can lead to madness, even loyalty. Retiring to a monestary and live out your days there is a way to go, but a knight will only do this if he gets leave from his lord.

Another option to consider is that a knight who is clear in the head but crippled physically is to be assigned as castellan, or as a trainer of squires
both honorable and important positions


Of course a knight can also assign someone to do his duties on the battlefield. But some knights may feel that they need to be there in person.

Yes, I think that many would consider dying in battle as the proper way to go


IMG The battle bannner of Salisbury is carried by one of the household knights of Earl Robert. He is currently in his 60s, but even a hint that some younger knight should carry it makes him made. The honor is his and he will carry the banner with pride and dignity. And so he goes to war and rides in the front of the battle.

and I say yay for him!