MR. MORRIS WORLD HISTORY The Age of Chivalry

Key Terms Ch 13.3, pg 364 Chivalry Tournament Troubadour

Knights: Warriors on Horseback Knights, people who rode on horses in battle, became valuable in combat during the time of Charles Martel

The Technology of Warfare Changes Saddles and stirrups changed how battles were fought in Europe during the 700s  Saddles were used to keep warriors seated firmly on a moving horse  Stirrups were used to brace riders so they would not fall off of their horses in battle Eventually, these mounted knights became the most important part of any army

The Warrior’s Role in Feudal Society By the 11 th Century, Europe was a series of nobles who were searching for power  Lords recruited knights to protect their territories  Knights were rewarded with land  As knights gained land, they could devote themselves to warfare  Lords would pay for the equipment of war as well  Knights chief responsibility was warfare and preparation for war and lords required 40 days of combat per year  Many hobbies revolved around war training

Knighthood and the Code of Chivalry Knights were expected to display courage and loyalty on the battlefield  Developed a complex set of ideas called chivalry that required a knight to fight bravely for 3 people  His earthly lord  His heavenly Lord  His lady  The perfect knights were loyal, brave, courteous, and protected those who were weak and poor  Many failed to meet all of these standards

A Knight’s Training The sons of nobles began training for knighthood at age 7  Sent to another castle to serve as a page and hone warrior skills  At age 14, became a squire – servant to a knight  By age 21, the squire became a knight  Young knights traveled and fought in local wars and tournaments

Brutal Reality of Warfare By the 1100s, castles were defended by walls and tall towers  Castles housed lords, their ladies, their families, knights and soldiers, and servants  Fortresses, built for defense  Defenders used boiling water, oil, or lead on attackers  Crossbows could fire arrows that would pierce armor

The Literature of Chivalry Many stories made castle life seem much nicer than it actually was  Glorified knighthood and chivalry  Songs and poems about knights in love with their ladies were also popular

Epic Poetry Epic poems recalled deeds and adventures of heroes like King Arthur and Charlemagne  Enjoyed by feudal lords and ladies  The Song of Roland is one of the earliest and most famous medieval epic poems  French soldiers who died in battle under Charlemagne  Roland and his soldiers battle a much larger force of Muslims

Love Poems and Songs Knights duties to ladies were as important to those of their lords under the code of chivalry  Troubadours were traveling singers who sang love songs  Talked about love’s disappointments and joys

Women’s Role in Feudal Society Most women in feudal society were powerless  Seen as inferior to men  This was the view of the Church so many people accepted that view

Noblewomen Noblewomen could inherit their husband’s estate  Also had the ability to send knights into battle at the request of her lord  Military commander and warrior when husbands were off to war More often than not, noblewomen led limited lives  Little property ownership, land was passed to sons

Peasant Women Women in lower classes led lives unchanged for hundreds of years  Peasant women worked in the fields, in the home, had children, and took care of families  Young girls learned household skills form their mothers at a young age  Peasant females were poor and powerless