Mr. Cotignola 3/23/09 Aim: How has the code of chivalry for knights glorified both combat and romantic love? Do Now: Make a list of stories you have read before that feature knights in them? How is the knight portrayed? Standards: 2 and 5 HW: due Friday

Middle Ages During the Middle Ages, nobles constantly fought one another. Their feuding led to people having a high value in combat skills and increased violence. Knights began fighting on horseback Leather saddles or stirrups changed the way warfare was conducted in the Middle Ages Stirrup’s allowed a warrior to firmly sit on a horse and carry heavier weapons

Knighthood 3. Knights were awarded with land from the feudal lords in exchange for their service 4. In times when they were not fighting they were training for skills needed on the battle field 5. The Code of Chivalry- Knights were expected to display courage in battle and loyalty to their lord. He was devoted to his feudal lord, his heavenly lord and his chosen lady 6. Young knights competed in mock battles called tournaments

Castles and Siege Weapons 7. Castle and siege weapons Siege Tower: supported soldiers and weapons allowed men to gain access to the castle Battering Ram: used to crack castle walls or knock down draw bridge Tortoise: sheltered soldiers from falling arrows Trebuchet: worked like a slingshot to shoot objects up to 980 feet. Objects included boulders, severed heads, dead horses, diseased cows and captured soldiers

Literature 8. Literature in Middle Ages downplayed the violence and glorified knighthood, chivalry and castle life 9. Troubadours were traveling poet-musicians at the castles and courts of Europe

Role of Women 10. Women in feudal society were mostly powerless, like many men 11. Noble women could inherit property and send knights to war. 12. Peasant women worked endlessly and took care of their families.