The Age of Chivalry

Has shaped modern ideas of romantic love – expressed by love songs, romance novels, movies Lack of strong central government = warfare occurred frequently Nobles built castles, fortified manor houses, for defense – lord, lady, family, knights, servants

Castle Life Moat Draw Bridge Portculis – Main Gate Ventilation Slit Arrow Slit for Crossbow Parapet – low wall around top edge of tower The “Keep” – family lived here…or sometimes the donjon was here

Purpose Protection Fortress during war Home for lord and family Center of entertainment and all activity

Who lived there? Lord Noble woman Children Relatives Servants Pilgrims, peddlers, friars – gathered in the courtyard around the keep Prisoners

Conditions Cold, damp, no heat Walls covered with tapestries to prevent draft Foul air – few windows Main hall used for sleeping, eating…a fire was always burning No bathrooms…few baths taken…water was so polluted…all waste thrown into moat Wine and beer were main beverages since water was often undrinkable

Knighthood Armored horsemen – awarded fiefs for their military service (battles and protection of lord’s territory) Wealth from fief allowed them to devote lives to war – pay for costly weapons, armor, warhorses Lord’s demand about 40 days combat a year – off-time is devoted to training, wrestling, hunting

Code of Chivalry – set of ideals Be loyal to lord, brave in battle, and courteous to women, keep promises, defend Christianity, help the weak and poor Defend 3 masters: feudal lord, heavenly Lord, chosen lady

Training: Sons of nobles learned early the Code of Chivalry Page – Age 7 – sent to castle of another lord, waited on hosts, practiced fighting skills Squire – Age 14 – servant to knight Knight – Age 21 – traveled for 1-2 years, gain experience by participating in mock battles (tournaments) 2 armies of knights charged, lords & ladies cheered, fierce and bloody, demanded ransoms for defeated knights

Literature Downplayed brutality, idealized castle life, glorified knighthood, battles and tournaments Epic Poetry – recounted hero’s deeds and adventures – King Arthur Love Poems and Songs Hero’s difficulties – conflict b/w duty to lord and duty to lady Troubadours – traveling poet-musicians at castles and courts Composed short verses and songs about the joys and sorrows of romantic love Lovesick knights who adored unattainable noblewomen