The Technology of Warfare Changes Leather saddle and

stirrups enable knights to handle heavy weapons

Chainmail

Plate Armour

Gambeson: a padded jacket worn alone or in combination with chainmail

The Warrior’s Role in Feudal Society By 1000s, western

Europe is a battleground of warring nobles

Feudal lords raise private armies of knights

Knights rewarded with land; provides income for needed weapons

Tried to capture enemy & hold knights ransom

One had to be “well-born” (Son of a Noble)

A Knight’s Training Age 7: Page – personal servant of the Lord

A Knight’s Training Age 7: Page – personal servant of the Lord Age 15: Squire – assistant to a Knight -- learn to handle: sword, lance, axe, bow &

arrow

A Knight’s Training Age 7: Page – personal servant of the Lord Age 15: Squire – assistant to a Knight -- learn to handle: sword, lance, axe, bow &

arrow After you “prove yourself in battle” (around

age 21) you could become a knight

Ceremony Lord (or King) touches your shoulder 3 times

with sword and says, “I dub thee knight.”

Ceremony still done today!

A Knight’s Training Knights gain experience, show off, and make

money in tournaments -- competitions and mock battles

Melee:

Melee: Two groups of knights assembled in an open

field Both parties rode toward each other and fought

anyone who came into range. The aim of the melee was to capture an

opposing knight and hold him for a ransom. A typical ransom included the cost of a suit of armor or a horse.

Quintain: objective was to direct strokes at specified

areas on a hanging post or shield. practice their aim with a lance, sword or battle

axe.

Jousting:

Jousting:

Jousting:

Jousting: “unhorse” opponent with a lance

Discuss Coats of Arms soon

The Code of Chivalry By 1100s knights obey a

code of chivalry—a set of ideals on how to act

They are:▪ to protect weak and poor; ▪ serve feudal lord, God, &

chosen lady

"Stitching the Standard" by Edmund Blair Leighton: the lady prepares for a knight to go to war

Brutal Reality of Warfare Castles are huge fortresses where lords/

Kings live

Brutal Reality of Warfare Attacking armies use wide range of

strategies and weapons

Siege Warfare

Medieval mangonel, a type of catapult

Replica battering ram at Château des Baux, France

Medieval moveable siege tower

Epic Poetry Epic poems recount a hero’s deeds and

adventures The Song of Roland is about

Charlemagne’s knights fighting Muslims

Love Poems and Songs Knights’ duties to

ladies are as important as those to their lords

Troubadours—traveling poet-musicians—write and sing short verses

Above and right: troubadours portrayed in illumined texts.

Status of Women According to the Church and feudal society,

women were inferior to men Noblewomen

Can inherit land, defend castle, send knights to war on lord’s request

Usually confined to activities of the home or convent

Peasants Women Most labor in home and field, bear children,

provide for family Poor, powerless, do household tasks at young age