No. They were nobles, and often land owners,
False on both counts. They were indeed professional warriors, and all land was owned by the crown. They were land HOLDERS who could be stripped of their holdings in a matter of seconds, should they displease the sovereign. Knights were exclusively from the nobility, as arming the peasantry was viewed as an invitation to insurrection. Knights were sworn to the defense of the lands.
at a time that holding power, in large part, had to do with fighting ability. Kings of the day were monarchs, who ran countries, but were also very able warriors.
Occasionally. Mostly this is mythology created by the monarchs to justify their rule. Occasionally a knight would rise to Baron or even King. But mostly the Royals were spoiled aristocrats who never faced any sort of danger. Obamaesq blowhards taking credit for victories they had no hand in.
ROFL
Ah the left, more than willing to rewrite or fabricate history to serve their cause. Yes, Knights had the task of providing security for the lands - 100% of the responsibility, in fact. Commoners were ignored since they were non-combatants, unless conscripted as fodder. An invading army had no qualm about slaughtering the peasants, but no real drive to either.
This is of course cursory. Reading will give you a far greater understanding, and it's interesting as shit; thus enjoyable, too.
ROFL
Sure sparky.
Of course should you leftists get your way, we all will be able to experience feudalism first hand. Every last one of you leftists are convinced you will be in the aristocracy - but many will find that not to be the case.
Says the guy not fully grasping that the defense of medieval lands fell on the landed gentry...