ARTHURIAN LEGENDS• King Arthur was the legendary

King of Camelot

• Stories about how he became king are folklore/myths mixed with historical details (legend)

• Many different versions about how he became king, how he died, and how he got his sword, Excalibur

• He goes on a journey looking for the Holy Grail (The cup Jesus drank from at the Last Supper)

• His mentor was Merlin the Wizard.

One of the ways in which King Arthur was said to get his sword

KNIGHTS, KNIGHTHOOD AND PAGE

Not anyone could be a knight; they had to be the son of a noble.

They were the wealthiest of all the soldiers

NOBLE SON/PAGE:

When a boy was eight years old, he was sent to the neighboring castle where he was trained as a page. He spent most of his time strengthening his body, wrestling and riding horses. He also learned how to fight with a spear and a sword. He would be taught to read and write by a schoolmaster.

Knights would often participate in lancing tournaments

KNIGHTHOOD: SQUIRE

At the age of fifteen or sixteen, a boy became a squire in service to a knight. His duties included dressing the knight in the morning, serving all of the knight’s meals, caring for the knight’s horse, and cleaning the knight’s armor and weapons. He followed the knight to tournaments and assisted his lord on the battlefield.

Once a squire proved himself in battle, and his knight felt he was ready, he could become a knight himself. Squires were knighted in elaborate ceremonies.

Serves a knight by serving meals

CODE OF CHIVALRY

1. Piety: Knights were said to be on a mission for God

They must display a devotion to the church and God

All knights, like all people from all walks of life in the Middle Ages, had to behave in a certain way.

This way was called the Code of Chivalry.

CODE OF CHIVALRY #2

2. Loyalty:

Knights were loyal to their ruler, their love, and The Church.

CODE OF CHIVALRY #3

3. Valor:

Strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness.

More than courage, it is the internal qualities that gives a knight courage.

CODE OF CHIVALRY #4

4. Courtesy:

Polite behavior

Knights showed courtesy to the ladies of the court, the king/queen, and other nobles.

Examples of Knights

CODE OF CHIVALRY #5

5. Chastity:

Knights were only supposed to have “pure” thoughts about the women of the court.

Romantic love only; NO physical love

CODE OF CHIVALRY #6

6. Honor:

“Death before dishonor” was their saying and knights were to behave honorably at all times.

Winning tournaments, battles, or the love of a lady were all honorable pursuits for a knight.

Lancing Tournament