A Man-at-Arms (referring to nobles of all genders; some individuals may prefer Lady-at-Arms or Noble-at-Arms) is an armoured combatant who is a dependent of another armoured combatant. In many cases, Men-at-Arms fulfill the same role as a squire, as it is a personal relationship between the master and the Man-at-Arms. Some require fealty or service of their Men-at-Arms, while others view the relationship as a declaration of mutual inspiration. As with all such relationships, it varies.

Unlike Squires, who are exclusively dependents of a member of the Order of the Chivalry, a Man-at-Arms can be taken by a fighter of any rank. In some lands, Men-at-Arms are often in the employ of a squire, who is in turn in the employ of a knight. By the same token, there is a tradition with some Knights, who were never themselves taken as a Squire, to take Men-at-Arms instead. Yet other knights will take someone as a Man-at-Arms for a period of time as a trial run before squiring them.

If there can be said to be any consistent requirement for taking a man-at-arms, it is that the master should be a skilled enough fighter to be able to teach said Man-at-Arms in armoured combat - but even this is only a guideline.

The term “man at arms” is used to describe professional soldiers of social standing less than a knight but above that of a levied man. They were generally part of the retinue of a lord or knight.

Men-at-Arms are marked by the wearing of a blue belt.

• Men-at-Arms in Ealdormere