Chivalry
Chivalry denotes the medieval practices of knighthood and the ideals that are and have become associated with it (Cornish 11). The period when chivalry arose was during the time slavery was gradually disappearing and the base foundations of equality were being laid. Knighthood and chivalry prevailed in the upper dominant classes of Europe between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries. Acts of chivalry can typically be broken down into three areas, in relation to war, acts in relation to god, and in relation to the service of a lady. War and mimicry were the business of knighthood, justice and religion were the sanctions, and to please and service a lady were the rewards for his actions. Classically, a knight is depicted as one that always saves and honors the lady he serves, such as Sir Lancelot and his service to Queen Guinevere. Although knights were men of upper-class society, their morals and actions were to be used as a standard set for those below them. Knights of the medieval ages upheld supreme standards of honor, honesty, decency, sobriety, and moral/social law. Once becoming a knight, a man cannot escape his duties imposed upon him unless caused by death and must be loyal to those who which he serves. As in Don Quixote, most knights had noble squires who pledged allegiance to their lord. Sancho Panza (of Don Quixote) and other squires alike served together with their lords and upheld the same ideals. Another principle part of a knight’s life was tournament and competition. Tournaments were the stage where knight’s could display their skills and separate the elite warriors from the average. Most often these tournaments would take place with beautiful princesses as spectators, which motivated the noble knights to perform impressively. Tournaments were very popular because of its aspect of war imitation while in a time of peace. Another aspect of knighthood is the institution of brotherhood. When two knights vowed faith to each other, they became united in all quarrels and to work as one. This service often overrode duties to those of ladies and they worked solely for sovereignty. Spain is often known as the “cradle of chivalry” because during the invasion of Arabs, both Islamic and Christian knights had clearly defined enemies to which they battled against.
Works Cited and Consulted:
Cornish, F.Warre. Chivalry. London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co., 1901.
"Chivalry." Wikipedia. 7 Feb. 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chivalry>.
Chivalry denotes the medieval practices of knighthood and the ideals that are and have become associated with it (Cornish 11). The period when chivalry arose was during the time slavery was gradually disappearing and the base foundations of equality were being laid. Knighthood and chivalry prevailed in the upper dominant classes of Europe between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries. Acts of chivalry can typically be broken down into three areas, in relation to war, acts in relation to god, and in relation to the service of a lady. War and mimicry were the business of knighthood, justice and religion were the sanctions, and to please and service a lady were the rewards for his actions. Classically, a knight is depicted as one that always saves and honors the lady he serves, such as Sir Lancelot and his service to Queen Guinevere. Although knights were men of upper-class society, their morals and actions were to be used as a standard set for those below them. Knights of the medieval ages upheld supreme standards of honor, honesty, decency, sobriety, and moral/social law. Once becoming a knight, a man cannot escape his duties imposed upon him unless caused by death and must be loyal to those who which he serves. As in Don Quixote, most knights had noble squires who pledged allegiance to their lord. Sancho Panza (of Don Quixote) and other squires alike served together with their lords and upheld the same ideals. Another principle part of a knight’s life was tournament and competition. Tournaments were the stage where knight’s could display their skills and separate the elite warriors from the average. Most often these tournaments would take place with beautiful princesses as spectators, which motivated the noble knights to perform impressively. Tournaments were very popular because of its aspect of war imitation while in a time of peace. Another aspect of knighthood is the institution of brotherhood. When two knights vowed faith to each other, they became united in all quarrels and to work as one. This service often overrode duties to those of ladies and they worked solely for sovereignty. Spain is often known as the “cradle of chivalry” because during the invasion of Arabs, both Islamic and Christian knights had clearly defined enemies to which they battled against.
Works Cited and Consulted:
Cornish, F.Warre. Chivalry. London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co., 1901.
"Chivalry." Wikipedia. 7 Feb. 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chivalry>.