4. In 1233, it became illegal to refuse a knighthood in England
You’d think getting a knighthood would be a great honor, but you’d be surprised. Back in the medieval period, being made knight cost loads of money. You had to buy loads of silly clothes and ceremonial suits of armor and give liberal amounts to the king. Oh, and risk your life in battle. In 1233, tight-fisted Roger of Dudley refused to attend his own knighting ceremony after realizing how much it’d cost. Alas for Roger, the last laugh came at his expense, quite literally. Henry III immediately passed a law against refusing knighthoods and confiscated the ungrateful swine’s lands.
