1. The Age of Chivalry

2. Has shaped modern ideas of romantic love – expressed by love songs, romance novels, movies
Lack of strong central government = warfare occurred frequently
Nobles built castles, fortified manor houses, for defense – lord, lady, family, knights, servants

3. Castle Life Moat Draw Bridge Portculis – Main Gate Ventilation Slit
Arrow Slit for Crossbow
Parapet – low wall around top edge of tower
The “Keep” – family lived here…or sometimes the donjon was here

4. Purpose Protection Fortress during war Home for lord and family
Center of entertainment and all activity

5. Who lived there? Lord Noble woman Children Relatives Servants
Pilgrims, peddlers, friars – gathered in the courtyard around the keep
Prisoners

6. Conditions Cold, damp, no heat
Walls covered with tapestries to prevent draft
Foul air – few windows
Main hall used for sleeping, eating…a fire was always burning
No bathrooms…few baths taken…water was so polluted…all waste thrown into moat
Wine and beer were main beverages since water was often undrinkable

7. Knighthood
Armored horsemen – awarded fiefs for their military service (battles and protection of lord’s territory)
Wealth from fief allowed them to devote lives to war – pay for costly weapons, armor, warhorses
Lord’s demand about 40 days combat a year – off-time is devoted to training, wrestling, hunting

8. Code of Chivalry – set of ideals
Be loyal to lord, brave in battle, and courteous to women, keep promises, defend Christianity, help the weak and poor
Defend 3 masters: feudal lord, heavenly Lord, chosen lady

9. Training: Sons of nobles learned early the Code of Chivalry
Page – Age 7 – sent to castle of another lord, waited on hosts, practiced fighting skills
Squire – Age 14 – servant to knight
Knight – Age 21 – traveled for 1-2 years, gain experience by participating in mock battles (tournaments)
2 armies of knights charged, lords & ladies cheered, fierce and bloody, demanded ransoms for defeated knights

10. Literature
Downplayed brutality, idealized castle life, glorified knighthood, battles and tournaments
Epic Poetry – recounted hero’s deeds and adventures – King Arthur
Love Poems and Songs
Hero’s difficulties – conflict b/w duty to lord and duty to lady
Troubadours – traveling poet-musicians at castles and courts
Composed short verses and songs about the joys and sorrows of romantic love
Lovesick knights who adored unattainable noblewomen