Knight or soldier in armour

In medieval English figurative sculpture arms and armour denoted chivalrous rank and at least esquire status: the bulk of English knights were drawn from the squirearchy, families influential and important in their own county or shire, but not necessarily of enormous consequence at a national level. Entitlement to knighthood was by wealth; in the 15th century an income of £40 enetitled a man to become a knight. Arms and armour were very expensive, and came to imply by their presence in art noble status.