The Epic Hero, The Epic Hero, Knights, and ChivalryKnights, and Chivalry

English 12English 12

Mrs. HarbisonMrs. Harbison

The Epic HeroThe Epic Hero

BeowulfBeowulf Mortal manMortal man Very strong – a warriorVery strong – a warrior Code of HonorCode of Honor Ultimate honor to die in battleUltimate honor to die in battle No character flaws like Tragic HeroNo character flaws like Tragic Hero If he dies, another will rise to take his If he dies, another will rise to take his

placeplace

Medieval EuropeMedieval Europe Feudal SystemFeudal System System of government and land ownershipSystem of government and land ownership Nobleman’s oath of loyalty = lands gifted Nobleman’s oath of loyalty = lands gifted

from kingfrom king Noblemen ruled the lands (judge, tax Noblemen ruled the lands (judge, tax

collector, armed forces, landlord)collector, armed forces, landlord) Powers granted in exchange for promise of Powers granted in exchange for promise of

loyalty to the kingloyalty to the king

The Feudal SystemThe Feudal System

King at top – owned everything and King at top – owned everything and granted riches in exchange for loyaltygranted riches in exchange for loyalty

Nobles next – provided king with knights, Nobles next – provided king with knights, money, advice, and a place to stay when money, advice, and a place to stay when travellingtravelling

Lords next – title and land earned Lords next – title and land earned (through knighthood), provided one (through knighthood), provided one knight to the kingknight to the king

Villeins next – received land in return for Villeins next – received land in return for working in the lord’s manor, but could not working in the lord’s manor, but could not sell their landsell their land

Surfs last – had no land and worked for Surfs last – had no land and worked for the lord; lowest of the low, no hope for the lord; lowest of the low, no hope for advancementadvancement

*Because lords and nobility were so *Because lords and nobility were so powerful, they often warred with each powerful, they often warred with each otherother

KnightsKnights

Professional warriorsProfessional warriors Granted fiefs (land) in exchange for Granted fiefs (land) in exchange for

military servicemilitary service Serfs the lifeblood of their wealth, so in Serfs the lifeblood of their wealth, so in

their best interest to protect themtheir best interest to protect them Members of the gentry, above peasants, Members of the gentry, above peasants,

but not necessarily royalty or ruling but not necessarily royalty or ruling nobility classnobility class

Not inherited position – had to be earnedNot inherited position – had to be earned Appealing means of younger son of a Appealing means of younger son of a

lord to advance himselflord to advance himself In some cases the son of a commoner In some cases the son of a commoner

could train to be a knightcould train to be a knight Training began at about age 7Training began at about age 7 Fostered out to another knight; become a Fostered out to another knight; become a

PagePage

Taught to hunt, religion, reading, and Taught to hunt, religion, reading, and writingwriting

Taught to fight by imitating their knight Taught to fight by imitating their knight and practicing combat with each other and practicing combat with each other (used wooden swords and lances)(used wooden swords and lances)

At 14, a Page became a SquireAt 14, a Page became a Squire

Duties of a SquireDuties of a Squire The personal servant of a knight or his lady. The personal servant of a knight or his lady. Chamberlain attended to the rooms of the Chamberlain attended to the rooms of the

castle. castle. Carving or Table squire carved the meat and Carving or Table squire carved the meat and

attended to the banquet tables. attended to the banquet tables. Of the wines managed the wine cellar. Of the wines managed the wine cellar. Of the pantry stocked and kept track of Of the pantry stocked and kept track of

household goods in the pantry. household goods in the pantry. Of arms cleaned and maintained the armor and Of arms cleaned and maintained the armor and

swords. swords. Of honor assisted the lord in all ceremonies Of honor assisted the lord in all ceremonies

and feasts.and feasts.

During this time, they learned to serve During this time, they learned to serve and mastered the intricacies of social and mastered the intricacies of social behavior and chivalrybehavior and chivalry

Learned how to handle horsesLearned how to handle horses Continued practicing with wooden swords Continued practicing with wooden swords

and lances (sometimes with the nights and lances (sometimes with the nights themselves)themselves)

Wore chain mail armor to get used to itWore chain mail armor to get used to it

As they got older, exercised and trained As they got older, exercised and trained in full armorin full armor

Assisted knights in combat, at Assisted knights in combat, at tournaments, and traveling to distant tournaments, and traveling to distant landslands

carrying and cleaning armor, taking care carrying and cleaning armor, taking care of the knight's horses, packing baggage, of the knight's horses, packing baggage, etc.etc.

Upon turning 21, a squire is ready to be Upon turning 21, a squire is ready to be knighted knighted

Knight’s OathKnight’s Oath

He would always defend a lady. He would always defend a lady. He would speak only the truth. He would speak only the truth. He would be loyal to his lord. He would be loyal to his lord. He would be devoted to the church. He would be devoted to the church. He would be charitable and defend the He would be charitable and defend the

poor and helpless. poor and helpless. He would be brave. He would be brave. When on a quest, he would remove his When on a quest, he would remove his

armor and arms only while sleeping. armor and arms only while sleeping.

He would never avoid dangerous paths He would never avoid dangerous paths out of fear. out of fear.

He would be on time for any engagement He would be on time for any engagement of arms, like a battle or tournament. of arms, like a battle or tournament.

Upon returning to his home or lord's court Upon returning to his home or lord's court from an adventure, he would always tell from an adventure, he would always tell of his escapades. of his escapades.

If taken prisoner, he would give up his If taken prisoner, he would give up his arms and horse to his opponent and not arms and horse to his opponent and not fight the opponent again without the fight the opponent again without the opponent's consent. opponent's consent.

He would fight only one-on-one against He would fight only one-on-one against an opponent.an opponent.

Privileges and DutiesPrivileges and Duties Obtained the title “Sir”Obtained the title “Sir” Owned land and could hire soldiers to Owned land and could hire soldiers to

defend itdefend it Dispense justice over those soldiersDispense justice over those soldiers They and their horses could wear armor They and their horses could wear armor

in battlein battle During feasts, held places the high table During feasts, held places the high table

where lords and nobility satwhere lords and nobility sat Could bear arms inside a churchCould bear arms inside a church

In times of war, called to fight by their In times of war, called to fight by their lords or the kinglords or the king

Led foot soldiers and archers into battleLed foot soldiers and archers into battle During peacetime managed their estates, During peacetime managed their estates,

dispensed justice, trained for battle, and dispensed justice, trained for battle, and participated in tournamentsparticipated in tournaments

Female KnightsFemale Knights Women didn’t usually have the opportunity to

become knights There were a few exceptions: In 1149, women who had helped defend the

Spanish town of Tortosa from the Moors were inducted into an order of knights called the Order of the Hatchet (which didn't survive beyond its original membership).

The Order of St. John inducted warrior "nuns." The Knights Templar also had a class of

warrior nuns shortly before all the Templars were accused of heresy and burned.

Women, usually wives of knights and nobles, were inducted into the Order of the Garter in England between 1358 and 1488.

After the French Revolution, French women could be inducted into the Legion d'Honneur.

The Order of the Star of India inducted a woman named Nawab Begum in 1861. Later, her daughter and Queen Mary were granted knighthood in this order.

Today, women can be granted knighthood in British orders. The proper salutation for a female knight is "dame" (think of Dame Judi Dench, the actress).

ChivalryChivalry

A code of conduct to which all knights adhered

Swore to defend the weak and to uphold virtues like compassion, loyalty, generosity and truthfulness.

Prevented well-armed and well-trained knights from wreaking havoc on the general population.