Monday: 1-6, A&W day Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: go to regular class room Highlighted in red- my classes go to CCA; will have sign on the door to remind you
What is your definition of chivalry? How do you show someone that you like/love them? What are two of your favorite love songs?
The code of chivalry for knights glorified both combat and romantic love.
Understand why the code of chivalry for knights glorified combat and romantic love Why it matters now: Chivalry has shaped modern ideas of Romance in Western Cultures
The Technology of Warfare Changes Leather saddle and stirrups enable knights to handle heavy weapons Kept human mounted on horse Allowed them to use stirdier weapons In 700s, mounted knights become most important part of an army
Chainmail Plate Armour Gambeson, a padded jacket worn alone or in combination with chainmail
By 1000s, western Europe is a battleground of warring nobles Feudal lords raise private armies of knights Knights rewarded with land; provides income for needed weapons Knights other activities help train them for combat Ightham Mote, a 14th-century moated manor house in Kent, England
Serve in battle Lord demanded 40 days of mounted combat/ year Knights pastimes revolved around training for war Wrestling and hunting helped them prepare for battle
The Code of Chivalry By 1100s knights obey a code of chivalrya set of ideals on how to act Protect three things: They are to protect weak and poor; serve feudal lord, God, chosen lady Ideal Knight: Loyal, brave, courteous Most never lived up to these standards; treated lower classes brutally
Boys begin to train for knighthood at age 7; usually knighted at 21 Knights gain experience in local wars and tournamentsmock battles Charging of each other- fierce and bloddy People watched them like gladiator games
Brutal Reality of Warfare Castles are huge fortresses where lords live Attacking armies use wide range of strategies and weapons Gory sight of siege: Defenders of castle poured hot boiling water, oil or molten lead on enemy soldiers Expert archers Fired deadly bolts that could pierce armor
Siege Warfare
Medieval mangonel, a type of catapult
Replica battering ram at Château des Baux, France
Medieval moveable siege tower
Themes: downplayed brutality of knighthood and warfare, idealized castle life, glorified knighthood and chivalry Epic Poetry Epic poems recount a heros deeds and adventures Song of Roland- famous
Knights duties to ladies are as important as those to their lords Troubadours traveling poet- musicianswrite and sing short verses Wrote love songs Disappointments Lovesick knights
Love of a far-off land/for you my heart is aching/And I can find no relief False image of knights Artificial view of women Modern day love songs?
Status of Women According to the Church and feudal society, women were inferior to men Roles limited to home and convent Endless labor, bearing children, taking care of families Womens role declined in feudalism
Noblewomen Can inherit land, defend castle, send knights to war on lords request Played key role in defending castles: hurled rocks, fired arrows Usually confined to activities of the home or convent Passed down land to sons, not daughters