1. Aim: Analyze how Medieval Literature Depicts Chivalry, Knighhood & Women?

2. The Literature of Chivalry
1100’s-Themes of medieval literature downplayed brutality of knighthood and feudal warfare
Stories glorified knighthood, chivalry, tournaments and real battles
Feudal lords and ladies enjoyed listening to Epic Poetry
Recounted a hero’s deeds & adventures
Epics retold stories of King Arthur and Charlemagne
The Song of Roland
One of the earliest & famous epic poems
Praises band of French soldiers who perished in battle during Charlemagnes rein 2

3. Love Poems and Songs
Under Code of Chivalry, a knights duty to his lady became as important as to the lord
Troubadours were traveling poet-musicians at the castles and courts of Europe
Other Songs told of lovesick knights who adored ladies that they would never win
Most celebrated woman of the wage of Eleanor of Aquitaine ( ) 3

4. Women’s Role in Feudal Society
Most women in feudal society were powerless
Was the view of the Church and generally accepted
Women played important role in noble and peasant families
Noblewomen
Under feudal system, noblewomen could inherit an estate from her husband
Lives were limited
Females in noble families confined to home
Pleasant Women
For vast majority of women of lower classes, life had remained unchanged for centuries
Peasant women performed endless labor around the home and often in the fields
Bore children and took care of their families 4