Knights and the Code of Chivalry

Middle Age Europe During the middle ages nobles were constantly fighting each other a violent society that prized combat skills

Knights Idea of warrior on horseback taken from Muslim invaders of the 700s Lords granted land to knights in thanks for protection  provided income for the Knight main obligation was to serve in battle most of their time was spent training for battle  

Code of Chivalry A knight must fight bravely for his three masters: 1. feudal lord 2. his heavenly Lord 3. his chosen lady  *otherwise face punishment  

Becoming a Knight Page - 7 yrs old - noble boys sent to other castles to learn manners and strategy  Squire - 14 yrs old - servant to the knight  Knight - 21 yrs old - “I dub thee knight. Be valiant” 

More about Knights Tournaments were used to fine tune their battle skills  Literature of the time glorified knighthood and downplayed its violence

Role of Women Most were poor and powerless Noble women could inherit her husband’s estate and even send his knights to war Church viewed women as inferior

(1) Where did Charles Martel get the idea of knights as warriors? Directions: Read chapter 13 section 3 then answer the following questions using your notes and textbook. (1) Where did Charles Martel get the idea of knights as warriors? From the Muslims invaders during the 700s (and the Magyars)

(2) What two things changed the technology of warfare in Europe during the 700s? The Leather saddle and stirrups

(3) What did knights get in return for their military service? Fiefs (land)

(4) How much combat did a knight usually face each year? 40 days per year

(5) What two activities typically helped knights build strength and practice their skills? Wrestling and Hunting

(6) In your own words, define chivalry? The conduct code that called for knights to fight bravely for their three masters (Feudal lord, Heavenly Lord, Chosen lady)

(7) What qualities did the ideal knight possess? Loyal, brave and courteous

(8) What types of public shame would a cowardly knight face? 1st – Armor stripped off and his shield cracked 2nd – Spurs cut off and his sword broken over his head 3rd – Thrown into a coffin and dragged to church 4th – Mock funeral service led by the priest

(9) Describe what tournaments were like for medieval knights Combined recreation and battle training. They were fierce and bloody contests that usually ended in currency exchanging hands

(10) Besides the Lord and his lady, who lived at the castle? Knights Trabadours

(11) Medieval castles were also defensive fortresses (11) Medieval castles were also defensive fortresses. List at least 3 ways the castle was defended. Boiling water, hot oil, and molten lead were poured on attackers Archers fired armor piercing arrows. Large walls Moats

(12) Which siege weapons protected soldiers from the defensive tactics used by castle defenders? Tortoise Siege Tower Mantlet Covered Battering Rams

(13) Which siege weapons could be used to attack castle defenders on top and inside the walls? Siege Tower Battering Ram Trebuchet Mangonel Scorpion

(14) How did medieval poetry and literature portray the castle, feudal, and knight life. Downplayed the cruelty of warfare and romanticized the chivalry, castle life and real battles.

(15) What was the famous epic poem, The Song of Roland, about? Courage, faith, and chivalry. French soldiers who died while fighting off the Muslims during Charlemagne’s reign.

(16) In Medieval epic poetry, what two duties usually caused a conflict for the heroic knight? A knight’s duty to his lady and his duty to his feudal lord.

(17) Which 12th century woman encouraged Troubadours to recite poems and songs in her castles? Eleanor of Aquitaine

(18) How did the role of women change with the development of feudalism in Europe? Noblewomen’s roles became limited to the home and the convent. Life for peasant women continued to be confined to labor, having children, and taking care of the home.

(19) What types of duties would typically be performed by a peasant woman? Endless labor, having children, and taking care of the home.

(20) What kinds of powers did a noblewoman have? She could inherit land, send knights into battle, and lead the defense of her Husband’s castle.

(21) Small wall that shielded soldiers as they approached the castle walls Mantlet

(22) A wheeled shelter that moved slowly and protected soldiers falling objects Tortoise Similar to the Greek Phalanx strategy

(23) Capable of launching a wide variety of objects over the castle walls Trebuchet

(24) Propelled rocks into the castle walls from a greater distance than other siege weapons. Mangonel

(25) A tall structure used to invade the top of the castle wall; it supported soldiers and weapons Siege Tower

CATAPULT—A counterweight on the lever arm powers this catapult CATAPULT—A counterweight on the lever arm powers this catapult. The arm is brought down with a winch, raising the counterweight. The projectile is loaded into the cup at the end of the arm and then the securing line is released, allowing gravity to power the projectile toward the enemy.

SCORPION—This bow weapon designed like a giant crossbow used the power stored in multiple drawn bows to fire a long projectile great distances.