The Age of Chivalry

1. The Age of Chivalry Mr. Morris World History

2. Key Terms Ch 13.3, pg 364 Chivalry Tournament Troubadour

3. Knights: Warriors on Horseback Knights, people who rode on horses in battle, became valuable in combat during the time of Charles Martel

4. The Technology of Warfare Changes • Saddles and stirrups changed how battles were fought in Europe during the 700s • Saddles were used to keep warriors seated firmly on a moving horse • Stirrups were used to brace riders so they would not fall off of their horses in battle • Eventually, these mounted knights became the most important part of any army

5. The Warrior’s Role in Feudal Society • By the 11th Century, Europe was a series of nobles who were searching for power • Lords recruited knights to protect their territories • Knights were rewarded with land • As knights gained land, they could devote themselves to warfare • Lords would pay for the equipment of war as well • Knights chief responsibility was warfare and preparation for war and lords required 40 days of combat per year • Many hobbies revolved around war training

6. Knighthood and the Code of Chivalry • Knights were expected to display courage and loyalty on the battlefield • Developed a complex set of ideas called chivalry that required a knight to fight bravely for 3 people • His earthly lord • His heavenly Lord • His lady • The perfect knights were loyal, brave, courteous, and protected those who were weak and poor • Many failed to meet all of these standards

7. A Knight’s Training • The sons of nobles began training for knighthood at age 7 • Sent to another castle to serve as a page and hone warrior skills • At age 14, became a squire – servant to a knight • By age 21, the squire became a knight • Young knights traveled and fought in local wars and tournaments

8. Brutal Reality of Warfare • By the 1100s, castles were defended by walls and tall towers • Castles housed lords, their ladies, their families, knights and soldiers, and servants • Fortresses, built for defense • Defenders used boiling water, oil, or lead on attackers • Crossbows could fire arrows that would pierce armor

9. The Literature of Chivalry • Many stories made castle life seem much nicer than it actually was • Glorified knighthood and chivalry • Songs and poems about knights in love with their ladies were also popular

10. Epic Poetry • Epic poems recalled deeds and adventures of heroes like King Arthur and Charlemagne • Enjoyed by feudal lords and ladies • The Song of Roland is one of the earliest and most famous medieval epic poems • French soldiers who died in battle under Charlemagne • Roland and his soldiers battle a much larger force of Muslims

11. Love Poems and Songs • Knights duties to ladies were as important to those of their lords under the code of chivalry • Troubadours were traveling singers who sang love songs • Talked about love’s disappointments and joys

12. Women’s Role in Feudal Society • Most women in feudal society were powerless • Seen as inferior to men • This was the view of the Church so many people accepted that view

13. Noblewomen • Noblewomen could inherit their husband’s estate • Also had the ability to send knights into battle at the request of her lord • Military commander and warrior when husbands were off to war • More often than not, noblewomen led limited lives • Little property ownership, land was passed to sons

14. Peasant Women • Women in lower classes led lives unchanged for hundreds of years • Peasant women worked in the fields, in the home, had children, and took care of families • Young girls learned household skills form their mothers at a young age • Peasant females were poor and powerless