13.3 – The Age of Chivalry
A New Soldier: Knights Origins: Charles Martel from the Muslims at Tours Improvements: Leather Saddles = Firm Seat Stirrups = Ride & Handle Heavy Weapons Decisive soldiers – Fearsome & effective as a “shock weapon”
Knights: A Feudal Role Dangerous world = Need for protection Lords raise armies of knights Knights receive land (fief) for military service Wealth from the fief = military lifestyle Obligations: ~40 days of service/year Practice: Hunting, Wrestling
The Ideal Knight Knights had to defend 3 things (Code of Chivalry): 1) His Feudal Lord 2) His Heavenly Lord 3) His Chosen Lady Defend the weak & the poor Loyal, Brave, & Courteous Falsehood: Treat lower classes brutally
A Knight’s Training Only a noble’s son could be a knight Sent off to learn the code from another lord Age 7 (Page) – Waited on hosts & learned how to fight Age 14 (Squire) – Servant to a Knight Age ~21 – Knighthood
Tournaments & Warfare Young knights gained experience in local wars Practiced in tournaments Winners get ransoms Knights led armies & attacked castles Laid siege to castles P. 366 – warfare profile
Chivalry: Literature Stories, poems, & songs glorified knights Stories told of a hero’s deeds & adventures Ex: King Arthur & Charlemagne Famous: The Song of Roland Under the code (lady = lord) Troubadours – sing romantic love songs Eleanor of Aquitaine most famous subject for songs Mother of kings Richard & John
Feudal Society: Noblewomen Noblewomen could inherit estates Send knights to war & even act as a military commander At times, even defend the castle Generally, life was limited to the home or convent & they owned little or no property
Feudal Society: Peasant Women Life barely changed from the previous period Life of endless labor – taking care of the home, working fields, taking care of the family, etc. Poor & powerless Receive little or no education