Knight versus Samurai!

Knight versus Samurai! 

Samurais and Knights share many similarities; both had a strict moral code, developed during a time of feudalism, used similiar equipment and weaponry, from highly idolized swords and spears to full body armor, and fought both for honor and their commanders. The Knight with a strong Christian basis, and the Samurai with Bushido, both warriors had a strong sense of honor and duty. Both warriors usually came from relatively wealthy backgrounds, utilizing the best training, armor, and healthcare that was offered during the day, including being well fed and taken care of from a young age, providing both with general healthy backgrounds that allowed them to prosper as a high status warrior class. These elite warriors were at the forefront of their day, both revered and feared, as well as respected, even across multiple, even warring factions.

Both would have surely enjoyed the chance of glorious, single combat with each other, but who would have won?!

Aspects of their armor, weapons, gear, strategies, tactics, and philosophies will be analyzed to see who would most likely be victorious!


General Overview

Obviously, one has to consider the setting in which they fight to determine the outcome. The terrain, vegetation, general characteristics of the battleground, and under what conditions; multiple soldiers, single combat, a fight for a test, or to see who's the strongest and decide who is victorious; a fight for honor, land, or all honor? A fight to determine who's society is the greatest society, sending out their best warriors instead of risk total combat?

Or just for fun? Both warriors were well known for their skill on horseback, and utilizing other potential forms of transportation, and the fight could easily end there before they would engage in combat on foot, which they were also generally well versed in. The time period is also important; guns began to arrive in Japan by the 14th century, and by the 16th century their sword making skills were so legendary that most swords in China were imported from Japan. Additionally, Knights increasingly were weakened over time, with various rules and decelerations hindering their capabilities (such as the pope banning crossbows in X time period), until large mercenary armies took over, with Knights largely being phased out due to the growing middle and working class, and the ease of hiring large quantities of soldiers.

Since both Japan and Mid-Eval Europe had large, open grass fields, in which combat could take place, and both warriors frequently fought on horseback, the basic scenario will be divided into four groups, on horseback, horseback vs. foot, and foot attacks. The time period will be between the 11th-12th century, when the warriors were still iconic but perhaps more evenly matched. As well, the combat will be, in general, glorious, single, open, combat! The battle will largely be a fight to the death, but with the warriors themselves seeing it as a fun sparring competition.



Knights



Samurai

Metallurgy
The Japanese, in general, had better metallurgy than the Europeans, with higher strength multiple fold steels capable of providing a stronger, composite material, and 

Armor 

Comparatively, the 

Weapons


Tactics and Strategies

Ultimate Conclusion