Knight in Medieval Times

A horse in medieval times is normally recognized as an fit out combatant at the service of the lord or king. entitle was considered a symbol of heroism and an epitome of bravery in the medieval times. He was regarded as the most skilled person in the art of struggle who worked to a lower place the lord and was subjected to his orders and instructions in each mathematical function of life. His blank time activities were also chivalrous in nature and he remained tangled in chivalrous games like duels. He used to possess top hat Arabian breed of horses that had no match in Europe.The close draw of the buck and his horse is clearly shown by the titles by which we was known end-to-end Europe in France he was a Chevalier, in Italy a Cavalier, in Spain a Caballero, and in Ger numerous a Ritter, from the word meaning to ride. Even the give for the code by which the knight was later bound, Chivalry, derives from the French Cheval. (The Origins of The Knight) Knight was the pr oduction of a practical necessity of keeping men of valor and fortissimo to keep the territories and states safe against internal and external threats.That armed knights later became a part of nobility due to the growth and extension of military source and their importance in the affairs of the states. Over a period of basketball team hundreds years, in addition to knights military duties and obligations, their socio-political importance led to three another(prenominal) important changes regarding their status in the socio-cultural set-up. This was the steady advancement of knights as a fortunate and advantaged, inherited group.Secondly, a code of chivalry developed by nature that customized and legitimized their code of conducts and elaborated and elevated them to an exclusive social position as a martial privileged class that developed itself into an nobility. The Knights was bound by socio-cultural convention to follow a code of chivalry. This chivalrous was a counter-effect ive to materialization of his violent nature during battles and wars. Code of chivalry used to be no document system of conduct but it was customary set of rules establish on morality and cultural compulsions.Chivalric qualities of an ideal knight during the middle ages under this code are best described in Song of Roland. It reflects that a Knight should be God fearing who could serve his lord in every thick and thin. He must defend the feeble and frail and must abstain himself from giving unnecessary offense to others. He must not fight for his own financial or social gains but for the well-being of all.Song of Roland says in this regard A knight should obtain such valour,/ Who bears weapons system and sits astride a good horse./ In battle he should be strong and fierce,/ Or else he is not worth four pence. / He ought rather to be a monk in mavin of those monasteries/ And tap all day long for our sins (Song of Roland, laisse 141)Duke of Burgundy recognizes virtually impor tant characteristics and personality traits of a chivalrous knight. The words he chose to use to describe the virtues that should be exhibited in the Knights Code of Chivalry were as follows Faith, Charity, Justice, Sagacity, Prudence, Temperance, Resolution, Truth, Liberality, Diligence, Hope, Valour.(The midst Ages Website) So these characteristics of knight were manifestations societal expectations just about the code of conduct of knight. Beside all these chivalrous qualities, he was expected to be brave and skillful enough to shows his valor and capacity at the battlefield. Another manifestation of chivalrous characteristics was brotherhood at munition. Among the gentler features of chivalry may be reckoned the beautiful institution of brotherhood in arms, by which two knights vowed faith to each other.The brothers in arms wore the same arms and clothes, mingled their blood in one vessel, and received the Sacrament together. They engaged to fend each other in battle and in all quarrels, and to have the same friends and enemies. (Knights in Middle Ages) This not only unified the knights of one state but their vows to each other used to augment their authorisation and confidence. Courtly hunch over was another important development that was directly associated with knight and knighthood. It was one of the most celebrated activities of Knights that is sentimentalistized to a great extent by the medieval literature.Courtly be intimate was eulogized and was considered a noble hotness. This form of romantic passion is depicted differently by Chaucer. In his era, the medieval era, relationship amid lady and a knight took the form of statuesque love and was designate as a noble passion coupled with chivalry and gallantry. In renaissance, love was also considered an ennobling phenomenon but we see concept of romantic and exalted love that has nothing to do with knightly and chivalrous qualities. Chaucer writes about one of the most important activit ies for a Knight wasTo love my lady, whom I love and serve/ d evere shal, til that myn herte sterve. (The Knights Tale) Courtly love is not depicted an immodest and lustful phenomenon by Chaucer but it is praised occasionally. Chaucer pull ahead shows certain other fine qualities of the contemporary culture pertaining to courtly love. For example, in Knights Tale male lover were never usurpers. hobby the tradition of courtly love, both knights, Palamon and Arcite disclosed their love for the lady and communicate her hand.Both are broken al day for love in ech degree. (The Knights Tale)This clearly manifests that culture and value of time pertaining to courtly love strongly prohibited forced love. Furthermore, it shows the individual integrity and honesty at bottom the community. It was knights integrity and honesty that did not let them to deceive their lady-love and adopt a proper way to court the lady. This indirectly depicts the rationality level of the nation in general an d nobility in particular.Loyalty and equality were other ingredients of the courtly love that portrays the values and traditions of the society as a whole. Although Middle Ages literature highly romanticize the characteristics of a knight and elevated their characters but many knights were unable to live upto these standards. Chaucer depicts in Canterbury Tales (Wife of Baths) the story of knight who ravaged a lady. This was highly against chivalrous code. As Chaucers tales are considered as the mirror image of his contemporary era, so this story was a materialisation of the prevailing socio-cultural situations.In another medieval story, Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, we also find some knights who are coward and are not as good as knight Gawain. So it is obvious that not all knights were chivalrous. Above-mentioned arguments and supported distinguish clearly manifest that medieval knight were well-mannered, gracious and towering personalities. Their lunacy in courtly love was not a lustful affair but it was a based on mutual attraction and hold was purely a refined and passionate activity that was accepted and sanction by social norms.Works CitedChaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. New York Penguin Classics. 1996.Goldin, Frederick. The Song of Roland. New York Norton, 1978.Gravett, Christopher. The World of the gallant Knight. Peter Bedrick Books. New York. 1996.Medieval Spell. Knights in Middle Ages. 12 November 2008 <http//www. medieval-spell. com/Knights-In-Middle-Ages. html>.The Middle Ages Website. Knights Code of Chivalry. 12 November 2008 <http//www. middle-ages. org. uk/knights-code-of-chivalry. htm>.The Origins of The Knight. 12 November 2008 <http//members. tripod. com/hkcarms/knights. html>.