Notes on presentation

 Most aspects of life were based in the system of feudalism, which divided society
into four different classes: peasants (serfs), knights and vassals, nobles and church
officials, the king and monarch. Each class had different lifestyles, therefore, only a
few were able to have privileges.

 During those times, important events occurred. One of them was the hundred years’
war. It was caused by some issues like the legitimate succession to the French
crown. Another major event was the Black Death, caused by a plague’s infection
with the bacterium Yersinia pestis.

 Major literature works appeared, such as: Pearl Poet’s Pearl, Patience, Cleanness,
and Sir Gawain and the Green knight; Langland’s political and religious allegory
Piers Plowman; John Gower’s Confessio Amantis and the works of Geoffrey
Chaucer.

 Women’s freedom was very limited because of the laws that were set by men. The
positions a woman could hold was being a wife, mother, peasant, artisan, nun, or
sometimes leadership roles like queen regnant or abbess.

 The Catholic Church was operated in a monarchy. The role that the church had in
society on those days was really important.

 The cathedrals were also very meaningful, because religion was relevant for
everyone and it dominated society’s lives.

 Courage, justice and mercy were some of the virtues that a knight was required to
possess.

 The code of chivalry was beyond the rules of combat since it was more of a moral
system. This included bravery, courtesy, honor and great gallantry toward the
women.

 The purpose of chivalry was to provide standards of warfare in normal life and to
ensure the wars could be won in honorable ways with rules.

 The song of Ronald describes the 8th century knights and Charlemagne’s code of
chivalry.