Knighthood in Medieval Europe

A Knight Without Honor Is No Longer Alive

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Three Underlying Factors In The Role of a Knight Religion Military Duty Love

Chivalry The word, “Chivalry", comes from the French word, "chevalerie", which means "skills to handle a horse". Related Terms in French: Cheval = horse Chevalier = knight The ability to handle a horse, especially in combat, was of utmost importance to a medieval knight.

Medieval Code of Chivalry: The Knight's Rules Thou shalt… Believe all that the church teaches & defend the church at all costs. Perform scrupulously thy feudal duties. Respect weaknesses & constitute thyself as defender. Be generous & give to those in need. Love thy homeland. Not recoil before enemies. Never lie & remain faithful to thy pledged word. Always be the champion of Right and Good against Injustice and Evil. An honored set of rules sworn by all knights. Emphasis upon courage, loyalty, devotion to duty. Courtesy toward and defense of women. Protection of the poor, weak, needy

Knights in Training: The Young Page Page Training begins at 7-9 Under the Guidance of the Lady of the Manor Learn Courtly Manners How to Read How to Dance Completes Chores For Ladies & Knights - running errands, shining armor, cleaning boots, etc Almost all nobles were knights Society made up of three groups – nobles, clergy and peasants and townspeople Knight’s training: Began at age 7 as a page Under guidance of the lady of the manor - Taught courtly manners, sometimes reading, music, dancing – all the necessities of a noble - Ran errands and served her in return Also began serving the knights performing simple tasks Became a squire at age 15 and placed under guidance of a knight - Taught the skills of knighthood, especially horsemanship and combat skills. - Followed knight into battle and helped him if he was wounded or fell off his horse If proven to be a good fighter he was rewarded by being made a knight - Special ceremony known as dubbing Knights were expected to follow certain rules known as the code of chivalry Knights trained for war by fighting each other in tournaments Most popular form of entertainment during the Middle Ages Popular event was joust 7 7

Knights in Training: From Page to Squire Squire Training begins at 13-15 Under the Guidance of Knight Learn Horseback Riding Sword Fighting Techniques Go Into Battle With Knight Help Knight With Whatever He Needs Help Knight If He Is Wounded Help Knight to Mount Horse – Difficult Task Wearing Armor

The King “Dubs” Only The Most Worthy Squires Squires stay up all night praying and fasting. No sleep. They then put on armor and white cloth to prevent mail from rusting and go to king and then made a grand exit off to fight or find something…

Leisure Time For A Knight Hunting

Leisure Time For A Knight Tournaments Practice for fighting, very violent, lots of death. Richard I tried to civilize it so had 5 locations where knights had to pay to participate. This became jousting and was more for entertainment…

Leisure Time For A Knight Music

Chivalric Literature Chansons de Geste Epic Poems become songs which tell the story of heroic knights including valiant deeds and love Sung by Troubadours traveling throughout France “La Chanson de Roland” –Most Famous French Epic Poem of the Middle Ages

Knights spend much time away from home during the Three Crusades of the Middle Ages

The Crusades: A Fight For Jerusalem Between Christians & Muslims The Christians are trying to regain the holy lands from the Muslims overtaking them.

Battle Scene of the Crusades

Archers Shooting Arrows Against the Charging Knights

Modern View of Medieval Knighthood Typically Romanticized Based Upon the Ideas of the Code of Chivalry Influenced By the Survival of Medieval Romantic Writings Tend to show knights as the chivalrous ideal

Heraldry A coat of arms Identified a knight when he was in battle