Transcript Knights, Chivalry and King Arthur

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.
10 Commandments of Chivalry for a Knight
(actual code)
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.
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/kin
g-arthur-9190042/videos/king-arthurfull-episode-2179100528