How Has Chivalry Changed In The Middle Ages

Literature of the Middle Ages can not be discussed without acknowledging the undeniable importance of chivalry. Chivalry in relation to the middle ages is defined as “the code of conduct adhered to by Medieval knights with gallant knightly values including honor, bravery, courteousness and honesty.” This key characteristic is essential in defining an ideal knight as well as his expectations. A knight must live by a chivalric code in which he becomes indebted to the people, his fellow knights, and most importantly, his lord. No other knight displayed more of a devotion to upholding the code then Lanval of Marie de France’s lai “Lanval.” Lanval demonstrates his chivalric nature in essential every action from maintaining comitatus amongst the

The Knight’s striking military career is considered prestigious and esteemed. The Knight has fought in “fifteen mortal battles” (Chaucer 4) all over the world. He fought in Prussia, Lithuania, Granada, North Africa, Anatolia, and Russia. His devotion to his career brings attention to the significance of fighting for the Knight, “it is during his violent interactions with others, that his loyalty to the knightly code should be most apparent” (n.a. par. 2). The Knight’s devotion to his work in the military can be assumed by how Chaucer describes his appearance when he begins his pilgrimage. In contrast to his son, the Squire, who wears fine clothing “embroidered like a meadow bright and full of freshest flowers, red and white” (Chaucer 5), the Knight, Chaucer reveals, is not “gaily dressed” (Chaucer 5) which divulges that

In two stories there is a code that knights follow. Chivalry is the code that they follow. The code says that a knight should be a brave warrior, a good christian, and selflessly fighting for justice. The knights are supposed to fight for their king and queen. In the stories Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and from Morte d’Arthur they show the idea about chivalry.

There are many misunderstandings with the word chivalry, one of them being that the knight never actually swore an oath of chivalry until later in the middle ages. Chivalry was a word that was created by French-speaking English nobility, during the medieval period. The word originates from the French word cheval meaning horse, and the French word Knecht meant knight, by putting the two words together, we get the word chevalier which meant horseman. During the early medieval ages, a knight was known as a chevalerie which meant horseman. Then the lords, who ruled over the

In the Medieval Period, knights dedicated their lives to following the code of chivalry. In Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, a number of characters performed chivalrous acts to achieve the status of an ideal knight. Their characteristics of respect for women and courtesy for all, helpfulness to the weak, honor, and skill in battle made the characters King Arthur, King Pellinore, and Sir Gryfflette examples of a what knights strove to be like in Medieval society. Because of the examples ofchivalry, Le Morte d’Arthur showed what a knight desired to be, so he could improve theworld in which he lived.

     An act of chivalry is described as the qualifications or character of the ideal knight. Knights were expected to uphold this code of conduct. In the English literature Le Morte d?Arthur, French for ?The Death of Arthur?, by Sir Thomas Malory, the characters display acts of chivalry from beginning to end. Though the code of chivalry contains many qualities or acts, nevertheless bravery, loyalty, and courtly love are demonstrated more throughout this literature.

In Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem, The Knight’s Tale, the author encapsulates chivalrous characteristics in his telling of a battle for love. In its fundamental form, chivalry idealizes a knight’s conduct, both on and off the battlefield (Gregory-Abbott). Chaucer employs this “heroic code [of] bravery, loyalty, and service to one's lord” to illustrate the idillic knight throughout the narrative (Rossignol). Chaucer’s poem, The Knight’s Tale, exhibits the ideals of chivalry in the form of two knights, desperately in love with the same woman, and a wise Duke who embodies the voice of reason. Each knight upholds honor through compassion, troths, and heroism on the battlefield, despite their afflictions with each other.

The origin of the word chivalry is from the French term “chevalrie”, literally used to describe the characteristics of armed knights on horseback.1 It did not originally include the moral aspects which it had become later known for. Into the later times in the Middle Ages, chivalry began to be a more concrete code of conduct which was followed by the high class and knights.1

Each different aspect of the code of chivalry held a separate role in society. Whether it be religious or barbaric, chivalry tended to hold a moral guideline among those who followed it. This moral guideline held them true to their duties to man, God, and women (Sex, Society, and Medieval Women). All of which are reflected in the three themes of Chivalry: Warrior chivalry, religious chivalry, and courtly love chivalry (Sex, Society, and Medieval Women). These three hold their individual roles, all stimulating a different part of the mind and creating a code held by all areas of life in those who hold it. The underlying question posed in this intense pledge is whether those who took the oath lived it out accordingly. To live out Chivalry is

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘Chivalry’ as “the system, spirit, or customs of medieval knighthood,” (“Chivalry”). The late Letitia Baldridge, who served as the White House Social Secretary for Jacqueline Kennedy as well as an advisor for many more first ladies, has been quoted with saying “Chivalry isn 't dead. It 's just no longer gender-based,” (Baldrige). Baldrige, who was the author of more than twenty books on subjects ranging from etiquette to business and interior design, has also been recognized as amongst some of America’s first woman small business owners (Baldrige). Whereas the concept of chivalry has evolved over the years, a perfect example of its meaning can be found in the fourteenth century poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The poem opens with allusions to Greek and Roman history and eventually sets the story on Christmas in Camelot with King Arthur and his knights of the round table. Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew and a knight in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, faces trials and temptations that one would typically expect from a knight of the round table. Through careful and juxtaposed analysis of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and articles by reputable authors, this paper will examine the theme a knight’s chivalric code in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the transformation of Sir Gawain as he faces multiple trials.

Some say chivalry is dead , I don't think so. Chivalry is a code of conduct governing a knight's behavior. It's the combination of qualities expected of an ideal person, especially bravery, loyalty,and honor.

These rules of conduct are evident in the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. However modern chivalry is difficult to identify or define as the rules that govern modern day behavior have been curtailed. The role and guidance of the church is often secondary to the wants of society. The system of chivalry belongs to men however in a predominately egalitarian society the roles of men have been diminished. Women are no longer damsels in distress needing men to save them.

During the Middle Ages, there were many revolutionary things happening. When people think of the Middle Ages, knights may come to mind. That’s because chivalry was probably one of the most important concepts of the time. There was also a plaque from 1348-1350, not to mention the church and states’ shaky relationship. Without some of the literature of this time period, there would be little understanding of the culture and lives of people during the Middle Ages. The Pardoner’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer tells how even hundreds of years ago, greed took a hold of people. Sir Gawain and The Green Knight shows how important chivalry was during this time period. The Wife of Bath depicts the importance of chivalry, too, while also telling about the struggles that women faced.

In like manner, Theseus’ actions also diverge from the ideals of chivalry as he aims to further his political standing. When he finds Acrite and Palamon dueling in the grove, Theseus rules the men to reassemble “this day fifty wykes, fer ne ner, / Everich of you shal brynge an hundred knyghtes / armed for lystes up at alle rightes” to win Emily’s hand in marriage (1850-1852). Instead of a traditional dual with limited bloodshed and a quick resolution, Theseus, motivated by his noble self-interests, opts for a violent spectacle to entertain his people, even constructing a grandiose arena for viewing the battle. Similarly, when charged by his parliament to