According to Boase, the Spanish nobility was essentially a class of warriors. If these warriors had been knighted by the king, they were permitted to wear the outfit of the noble knight. This outfit consisted of heavy metal armor, a large sword, and they were allowed to travel around on a horse. Only the wealthy and noble members of the society were able to use horses for means of transportation. Along with the armor, the knights were given special privileges in the kingdom. They were associated with the aristocracy and were very much on top in the Spanish hierarchy. When I say on top, I mean that they are part of the upper class in society and are far more influential and respected than the common citizens. The hidalgo was simply a worthy and skilled knight who served as a military commander. If a knight were to accumulate enormous amounts of wealth in their lifetime, they would be classified under another term, Infanzones (Boase 27-31).
A group of commoners or peasants existed that was called the Peasant Knighthood. These were members of the lower class who acted as if they were members of the kingdom. They were not members of the kingdom, so they didn’t get to enjoy any of the privileges that were granted to the actual knights of the kingdom. These peasant knights, although just commoners, still considered themselves to be superior to all the other common members of the kingdom (Boase 33). The only way to enjoy the privileges of knighthood was to be actually knighted by the king himself. The king played a very special role in the Spanish society. Kings were given all the power because they were considered to be vassals of god. They were allowed to break laws because he was considered above the law. This is due to the notion that the kings orders came directly from gods will. Becoming a knight meant not only serving your kingdom but also serving god himself (Boase 55).
A group of commoners or peasants existed that was called the Peasant Knighthood. These were members of the lower class who acted as if they were members of the kingdom. They were not members of the kingdom, so they didn’t get to enjoy any of the privileges that were granted to the actual knights of the kingdom. These peasant knights, although just commoners, still considered themselves to be superior to all the other common members of the kingdom (Boase 33). The only way to enjoy the privileges of knighthood was to be actually knighted by the king himself. The king played a very special role in the Spanish society. Kings were given all the power because they were considered to be vassals of god. They were allowed to break laws because he was considered above the law. This is due to the notion that the kings orders came directly from gods will. Becoming a knight meant not only serving your kingdom but also serving god himself (Boase 55).