Age of Chivalry

1
Age of Chivalry

• Pages 327-331

2
Introduction

• During the Middle Ages nobles were constantly at
  war with one another. With war being common,
  combat skills were a necessity. A code of honor
  emerged that greatly impacted this time period.
  The Code of Chivalry directed the nobility in
  their education, character, and personal
  relationships.

3
Warriors on Horseback

• Charles Martel observed that the Muslim cavalry
  was extremely effective in battle
• The Franks then organized their own armored
  horsemen called knights

4

• Technologies developed in the 700s that made
  riding a horse in battle more effective
• Saddles and Stirrups allowed for more stability
  in battle
• They were also able to handle heavier weapons
• By the 11th century Western Europe was a constant
  battle ground
• Knights would fight for nobles and be given fiefs
  in return
• A knight would typically serve for about 40 days
  per year

5
Knighthood and Chivalry

• The Code of Chivalry demanded that a knight serve
  three masters
• Feudal Lord
• Heavenly Lord
• His chosen lady
• Knights were required to be brave and courageous
  they were also required to protect the weak and
  poor

6

• Tournaments were set up for entertainment
• Younger knights would gain experience at these
  tournaments
• Many times when a group would lose to another
  they would demand a large ransom from the
  defeated knights

7
Castles and Siege Weapons

• By the 1100s castles were commonplace
• They were used as homes but also a fortress
  designed for defense
• Mantlet, Siege Towers, Ladders, Mangonel,
  Tortoise, Trebuchet were all weapons used to
  attack castles

8
Literature of Chivalry

• Much of the literature idealized castle life,
  glorified knighthood, and warfare
• Epic stories begin to emerge about heroes like
  King Arthur and Charlemagne
• Love poems and songs
• Troubadours poet musicians who entertained the
  castle courts
• Court of Love a court set up for troubled lovers
  (Eleanor of Aquitaine)

9
Shifting Role of Women

• Women once again took a back seat to men
• Over time in feudal Europe, the role of women in
  society declined