Milites: (Singular miles) The Latin term for "men at arms,"

or "soldier" used to cover what later became known as "knights" in English, "Chevaliers" in French, "Caballero" in Spanish, and "Ritter" in German.

seems to have come into use during the 10th century, before there was any attachment of the "knightly virtues" or the term "chivalry," which came into use in France during the 12th century.

By the end of the 12th century these warriors had evolved into their own social class, a caste in society, gradually becoming attached to the lower nobility.