The Code of Chivalry

Requirements of Knights

What is a knight?

Mounted, armored warriors

Skilled horsemen, wearing more protective armour and wielding heavy weapons

Knights and the women they married became the nobility

Powerful nobles were called Lords and their wives were called Ladies

Knights

It was beneficial to have a group of well trained knights

They were expensive to arm and train. So instead of money, knights received land a payment

The land was called fiefs

The Code of Chivalry

Twelfth century

Required knights to act as men of honour as well as valour

Part of the Code

They had to fight fairly in war—for instance not attacking another knight before he was armed---and to treat noble prisoners well

They were to uphold and defend Christianity

They were to be generous to the poor and weak

They were expected to act gallantly toward ladies---to respect, cherish, and protect them

Chivalry and Love

In Medieval literature, love was not expressed the way it is today

If a man was in love with a women, he would be physically ill until his love was returned

Expression

Found in literature, poetry, and love songs

Troubadours or wandering poets, traveled from castle to castle, singing songs about courtly love and chivalrous deeds

Famous Examples

Beowulf

Song of Roland Poem of El Cid

Arthur and the Round Table

The Canterbury Tales

Chaucer

Considered the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages

The first poet to be buried at Westminster Abby

Best known for The Canterbury Tales