The Age of Chivalry

I) Knights: Warriors on Horseback

A) How does the Technology of Warfare Change?

-Saddles allowed warriors to ride on horseback
-This changed warfare, the movement of men was faster
-Developed in the 200’s, but made the change in the 700’
-This position was preferred over foot soldiers

B) What was the Warrior’s Role in Society?

-Most federal landowners raised knights to defend their land
-They paid these men in the form of fiefs
-The wealth owned from the fiefs allowed knights to focus on their fighting skills
-They could buy expensive equipment with this money they gain
-A knight would devote 40 years of his life in the power of the landowner

II) Knighthood and the Code of Chivalry

A) Describe a Knight’s Training

-Chivalry is the expertise in being a knight, revolving around several ideals
-It required men to defend their spiritual lords, feudal lords and their family
-They were supposed to help the poor, but they treated them brutally instead
-Training would begin at the age of 7, where a boy is sent to a castle to train
-At 14 he becomes a squire, or a knight’s servant
-At 21 he becomes a full knight
-They continue to gain experience by fighting in local wars and tournaments
-They were bloody and furious battles

B) How Brutal was Actual Warfare?

-Many battles were worse than tournaments
-Most castles were meant to defend against direct attacks
-They would be constructed with big walls and guard towers on the walls
-They housed family, knights and servants
-They had gruesome methods of defense, where they used hot liquids and crossbows

III) The Literature of Chivalry

A) What are Epic Poems?

-Most literature at the time was about knights, their love to their family and power
-Many people enjoyed literature called epic poems
 -Popular epics consisted of stories of King Author and Charlemagne
-The earliest and most popular The Song of Roland about a French army praised during their
removal by Charlemagne. The event is transformed into a struggle where the they fight a
massive army of Muslims.

B) Love Poems and Songs

-A knight’s duty to his woman became as important as his duty to his lord
-These caused the most trouble, and was put into poems
-Troubadours are travelling musicians/poets that travel to different places, and describe the
joys and sorrows of love at the area in short verses.
-Also made songs to be carried to court
-These poems made the image of knights appear more romantic than brutal soldiers
-Women were also portrayed as perfect and pure

IV) Women’s Role in Feudal Society

A) Who were Noblewoman?

-Noblewomen had capabilities, like inheriting her husband’s estate and on his request, send
knights to fight a war.
-If the men are at war she commands the defenses of the castle and may defend herself
-They did not have a lot other opportunities, and are confined to their castles
-They didn’t hold much land, as it was usually passed down to her brothers

B) Who were Peasant Woman?

-They had really limited power, and had to work hard at their households
-They are charged with controlling the house, cleaning and raising children.
-They would also take care of the whole family, and cook
-They made a major contribution to the economy of their family
-Their power was also based on the church