Chivalry

Religious and Ethical Systems –The code of chivalry for knights glorified both combat and romantic love
 The code of chivalry has shaped modern ideas of romance in Western cultures

Terms: chivalry, tournament, troubadour

Worldview Connection:

Objectives:
1. To describe the technology of warfare and the warrior’s role in feudal society
a. Leather saddles and stirrups help mounted warriors win battles
b. Private armies of knights fight for nobles in exchange for land
2. To explain the standards and training of a knight, and the brutality he faced
a. Knights must maintain standards of character and behavior or be punished
b. Young nobles in training to be knights take part in mock battles called tournaments
c. Medieval warfare is bloody and brutal
3. To describe the way chivalry, knighthood, and women are portrayed in medieval literature
a. Epic poems idealize chivalry and knighthood
b. Popular songs and poems about a knight’s undying love present artificial images of women
4. To summarize the role and status of medieval women
a. Most medieval women are poor and powerless. They labor endlessly
b. Although noblewomen control some matters, they being to lose real power