![]() The discipline of the chivalric code must also have helped when armies were in the field (but not always), as did its inspirational emphasis on display knights preened about the battlefield like peacocks with jewelled swords, inlaid armour, plumed helmets, liveried horses and colourful banners of arms. The state also saw the benefits of promoting a code by which young men were encouraged to train and fight for their monarch. This relationship between religion and warfare only heightened with the Arab conquest of the Holy Lands and the resulting Crusades to reclaim them for Christendom from the end of the 11th century CE. The clergy keenly promoted chivalry with the code requiring knights to swear an oath to defend the church and defenceless people. Function & PromotionĬhivalry, derived from the French cheval (horse) and chevalier (knight), was originally a purely martial code for elite cavalry units and only later did it acquire its more romantic connotations of good manners and etiquette. By the 14th century CE the notion of chivalry had become more romantic and idealised, largely thanks to a plethora of literature on the subject and so the code persisted right through the medieval period with occasional revivals thereafter. Evolving from the late 11th century CE onwards, essential chivalric qualities to be displayed included courage, military prowess, honour, loyalty, justice, good manners, and generosity - especially to those less fortunate than oneself. Chivalry was, in addition, a religious, moral and social code which helped distinguish the higher classes from those below them and which provided a means by which knights could earn themselves a favourable reputation so that they might progress in their careers and personal relations. Your browser does not support the audio element.In medieval Europe, a code of ethics known as chivalry developed which included rules and expectations that the nobility would, at all times, behave in a certain manner. Listen to a recorded reading of this page:.Take a ten question quiz about this page.Jousting was outlawed in France when King Henry II was killed in a joust competition in 1559.The word "chivalry" comes from the Old French word "chevalerie" meaning "horseman".Talented knights could become rich this way. ![]() Sometimes the winning knights won the losers' horses and armor.Tournaments, jousts, and pas d'armes were all part of a number of competitions called "hastiludes".In many ways, the knights of the Middle Ages were like the sports stars of today. Tournaments and jousts attracted crowds of people for entertainment.Sometimes a knight or group of knights would stake out a bridge and refuse to let other knights pass unless they fought.Interesting Facts about Tournaments, Jousts, and the Code of Chivalry Not all knights followed the code, especially when it came to dealing with people of the lower classes. Many knights took vows that they would maintain the code. To follow the church and defend it with his life.Here are some of the main codes which Knights tried to live by: The ideal knight would be humble, loyal, fair, Christian, and have good manners. Knights were expected to behave a certain way. Two Knights Jousting, one falling by Friedrich Martin von Reibisch The winners were heroes and often won prize money. Jousting was the highlight of many games and events. A joust was where two knights would charge each other and try to knock the other off their horse with a lance. Jousting was another very popular competition among knights during the Middle Ages. ![]() The best knight from each side was often awarded a prize. The lances used were blunted so that knights would not be killed, but many were still injured. This would continue until one side won.Īs you can imagine, tournaments were dangerous. This "turning" is where the name "tournament" or "tourney" comes from. The knights that were still on their horses after the first charge would turn and charge again. At the sound of a bugle each side would lower their lances and charge. The tournament would begin with each side lining up and preparing for the charge. Both sides would parade past the spectators shouting war cries and showing off their armor and coat of arms. There would even be stands built where the local nobles could sit to watch. On the day of the tournament a large crowd would gather to watch. Typically the local knights fought against the knights from outside the area. When a town or area would have a tournament they would invite knights from other areas. Tournaments were pretend battles between groups of knights. Two Knights Jousting by Friedrich Martin von Reibisch
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |