When one speaks of knights and nobility during the Middle
Ages the thought that would immediately come to mind is their battles and
conquests. However, knights are merely a facet of what is known as the court
culture during medieval times. The conquests that most people associate with
them are merely a small aspect of their life and the people that comprise
medieval societies especially those in the royal courts like noblemen and
noblewomen. There were also a great number of intricacies that comprise court
culture, or the way noblemen and noblewomen were supposed to act in certain
situations. It can be said that despite
the romanticism associated with the literature of the era, it is chivalric
ideals that define court culture.
Being a knight meant that one was part of a royal
court. It forms a unique culture that dictates how the men and women who
comprise the court would treat each other and react in certain situations.
Knights, for example, would have to follow what is known as the chivalric code.
The word chivalry itself is derived from the French word cheval, which means horse. In essence, this would refer to a code
of conduct that is followed by horsemen, which knights essentially were
(BoiseState 2014). This concept is what defined the model knightly behavior
during the 12th and 13th centuries. Chivalry can be
defined as the way a knight constantly pursues the ideal of keeping his
promises and showing his loyalty to his liege as well as to God. As well as the
idea that he is supposed to honor and obey his lord to whom he owes his
allegiances.
To a certain extent the concept also encompasses the
performing feats of skill and bravery. An example of this would be that of Sir
Gawain who took up the challenge of the Green Knight (Greenblatt, S. &
Abrams, M.H. eds 2006). This shows his extreme devotion and loyalty to his uncle
King Arthur. Aside from the worldly
aspect of chivalry, equally important is the concept of incorporating religion by
honoring God in their desire to be good Christians. This concept is equally
important because religion played an important part of lives of noblemen and
noblewomen. In hindsight, Sir Gawain in the story provides us the perfect
conjunction of the aspects set forth in the chivalric code (Greenblatt, S.
& Abrams, M.H. eds 2006). In essence these are knightly
virtues, Christian ideals and courtly love.
Gradually, the concept would evolve to include
virtuous ideals such as honor, courtesy and courtly love. If one were to look
at the concept, it would be quite similar to the concept of being a gentleman
in later times. However, it is much deeper because chivalry literally governed
the daily lives of noblemen and noblewomen, and not just knights. It can be
said that breaking away from or not following the prescribed manners set forth
by chivalry would be the worst crimes that they could commit. As a nobleman or
noblewoman, one should display honor and courtesy (BoiseState 2014). Being
crass or displaying brutish behavior was frowned upon. It would be safe to say
that any display of unrefined manners would not only raise eyebrows but also
result in being ridiculed and repudiated by other noblemen and noble women.
Breaking the oath of loyalty to God and one’s liege is also considered a crime.
Among noblewomen, showing impropriety would also be considered a grave offense.
The relationships and most importantly the hierarchy
that were formed during medieval times were also quite peculiar because they
were so strongly ingrained in court life that they literally governed the way
noblemen and noblewomen acted. A knight is typically a soldier who owes
allegiance to two masters. One is the God and the other is his Lord to whom
they owe their loyalty (Greenblatt, S. & Abrams, M.H. eds 2006). The Lord or
royal would provide whatever the knight requires and in return, the knight is
at the beck and call of their Lord. It should be noted that, in a way, the
relationship is mutual because both sides benefit from the arrangement. An
example of this would be Sir Gawain, who perceiving the King Arthur’s honor was
being trampled upon by the Green Knight said “I beseech, before all here, That this melee may be mine”.
(Greenblatt, S. & Abrams, M.H. eds 2006). The concept of loyalty is
also quite important in courtly life because as previously mentioned a knight
owes his allegiance to his king or his liege. In times wherein there would be a
dilemma, loyalty towards his Lord would be the prime motivating factor in the
decision making of a knight. This would often be problematic because it would
put the knight in situations where in their lives would be endangered. However,
such as was part of the life of the knight who swore loyalty to his lord.
The relationship between the Knight and a lady, on
the other hand, is also unique, because they are also governed a strict set of
rules that dictated the way they interacted. A knight is supposed to show
utmost respect. They are also supposed to be able to carry a good conversation
and show perfect manners. Ladies were literally held up high on a pedestal, and
that any disrespect shown to them by knights or any other man for that matter
could result in besmirching their honor. Ladies would interact with knights in
a way that they would befit the honor and adoration that they are given (BoiseState
2014). Doing otherwise would result in awkward situations. It should be
stressed that Ladies were held to a high regard knights who admired them. The knights’ interactions with them should always
be bereft of any sexual connotations (Greenblatt, S. & Abrams, M.H. eds
2006). Knights and Ladies would often interact in a civilized and genteel
manner.
A concept that almost always accompanies romantic
tales of knights is that of the quest. The knightly quest or errand is often
characterized by a seemingly insurmountable task that a knight must undertake.
An example of this would be the quest for the Holy Grail (Greenblatt, S. &
Abrams, M.H. eds 2006). This is perhaps one of the most popular quests that are
known by many. Another is that of the quest of Sir Gawain to fulfill his
promise to the Green Knight to return the favor when he chopped off the head of
the said knight (Greenblatt, S. & Abrams, M.H. eds 2006). Although this
might seem ludicrous to some but in reality this is another way of showing
loyalty one’s Lord. There is a spiritual aspect to the quest because it shows
the faith of a knight in God’s divine providence. It is also a display a knight’s
loyalty, honor, and prowess. Shirking from embarking on their quest would mean
that the knight was a lesser man, one who is not fit to labor under the name of
his lord and most importantly, God.
Conclusion
Courtly life during medieval times is somewhat an
arcane concept to many because it entails utmost allegiance to following the
chivalric code. However, once chivalry is understood, all the romance stories
that came from that era are easily understood. Chivalry is a concept wherein
Christian ideals, knightly virtues and courtly love intersect and govern the
way noblemen and noblewomen acted. It is a concept that literally defined the
actions, thoughts and ideals of people who lived during that era. It is also
the wellspring where romance tales drew from. A knight acted in such a way that
they displayed chivalry not because it is who they are but because it is what
defines them. It was not a prescribed set of rules, it was a way of life.
References
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