KNIGHTS, CHIVALRY AND KING ARTHUR

Medieval Romance◦Genre-created in the 12th c

◦Originated in France and spread throughout Europe

◦The purpose of this genre was to celebrate and retell the heroic deeds of knights and their chivalry

Medieval Romance◦Conventions◦Romance Hero

◦ A knight of superhuman strength, intelligence and virtue who follows the code of chivalry

◦A Quest◦ The hero must prove his worth by going

quest/journey motivated by love, faith or adventure. During this quest the hero must overcome many obstacles.

◦Exotic Setting◦ set in imaginary kingdoms with great

castles, enchanted lakes, and forests populated with giants and monsters.

Medieval Romance◦Conventions Continued: ◦Supernatural Elements◦Sorcerers, magic spells, giants, dragons,

mysterious evil forces and access to knowledge about future events are just some examples.

◦Hidden Identities◦Others are often unaware of a character’s

true identity. The truth is usually revealed at the climax of the story.

◦Episodic structure◦Romances are not tightly structured;

characters simply go from one adventure to the next without much transition.

Chivalry ◦The Age of Chivalry: 1100-1400

◦Definition◦The code of conduct that medieval

knights were expected to follow.

◦Required knights to be not only warriors, but gentlemen .◦Example: Knights were expected

to protect the “weak” noble women while the lord was away.

Chivalry

◦ Characteristics of a Knight

◦Courageous

◦Honest

◦Loyal

◦Generous

◦Kind

Summary of the Code (in book)

◦Swear allegiance to his lord

◦Fight to uphold Christianity

◦Seek to redress all wrongs

◦Honor truth by word and deed

◦Be faithful to one lady

◦Act with bravery, courtesy, and modesty.

1. Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions.

2. Thou shalt defend the Church.

3. Thou shalt respect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.

4. Thou shalt love the country in the which thou was born.

5. Thou shalt not recoil before the enemy.

6. Thou shalt make war against the Infidel without cessation, and without mercy.

7. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.

8. Thou shalt never lie, and shalt remain faithful to thy pledged word.

9. Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone.

10. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.

10 Commandments of Chivalry for a Knight (actual code)

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

◦The character “King Arthur” is thought to be based on an actual warrior who defended Britain against the Anglo-Saxon or Visigoth invaders in the 5th-6th c.◦The man vs. the legend

◦5th and 6th c. various songs and poems about an Arthur-like character, a Celtic war hero.

◦Geoffery of Monmouth (cleric) –The History of the Kings of Briton

◦ Sir Thomas Malory’s- Le Morte d’Arthur

◦T.H. White- The Once and Future King

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in Pop Culture

http://www.biography.com/people/king-arthur-9190042/videos/king-arthur-full-episode-2179100528