A knight's vigil

This painting depicts a squire holding a vigil of prayer during the night before his knighting ceremony. This was a custom during the Middle Ages. The future knight was also expected to fast, go to confession and take a bath. During these rituals the squire had to prepare himself for knighthood. The squire in this painting is wearing a white dress, which was a symbol for purity, the red robe demonstrates he was prepared to be wounded in battle. This was the traditional dress for a knighting ceremony.