How did soldiers differentiate?

In the late 12th and 13th century, two ways of identifying individual soldiers developed. The first was heraldric surcoats and shields – coloring the surcoat (the loose robe worn over the armour in the 13th and 14th centuries) and shield with specific colors in specific patterns to identify a particular man at arms.

How did they tell each other apart in medieval battles?

Seriously, how did knights tell each other apart during medieval battles? 🙄 They all looked basically the same. They were dozens of banners, coat-of-arms, heraldic displays, etc. Moreover, in melee combat there is no time to think or to recall colors and style…

How could you tell Knights apart?

You’re right, every knight did have their own color & style. That color & style is called heraldry and is used to this day to denote military’s from each other, military branches from each other, and even units from each other.

Did knights fight each other?

Two knights might fight each other alone (this was called single combat) while a huge crowd watched and cheered. Or else a large number of knights might form two teams, like two enemy armies, and try to beat one another at jousting (fighting on horseback with a lance) and sword-fighting.

How did knights tell friend from foe?

Knights and all other nobles had their own crest that was painted on their shield and many times it was on a surcoat if the knight wore one. Not only did the crest help distinguish friend from foe it helped the knight be recognized during battle when ever he he did something brave like slay an enemy knight.

How did knights fight each other?

A lance was a long wooden spear with a sharp metal point. When knights fought, they would charge at each other on their horses from as far away as possible. So then the knights would fight with swords, standing up in their stirrups and hammering at each other’s helmets or trying to cut through each other’s mail.