Knighthood and the Legend of King Arthur

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Questions and Answers

What role did knights play in the feudal system?

They were noble-born men trained for combat. (correct)

They managed the entire kingdom's resources.

They were common peasants with no land.

They were royalty with unlimited power.

What was the Oath of Fealty?

A promise to support other knights in battle.

A pledge to serve the king in military issues. (correct)

A commitment to protect the kingdom's peasants.

An agreement among nobles to share land.

Which of the following was NOT part of a knight's training?

Swordplay with wooden swords.

Archery and wrestling.

Strategy in political governance. (correct)

Climbing and swimming.

What expectation was placed upon knights regarding military service?

They should fight 40-90 days each year. Signup and view all the answers

What qualities did the Code of Chivalry emphasize for knights?

Bravery, loyalty, and generosity. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key component of the training for young knights?

Practicing mounted combat. Signup and view all the answers

How did knights become wealthy enough to reach nobility?

Through military conquests and service. Signup and view all the answers

What is notable about the stories of King Arthur and his knights?

They have been retold in many forms since before the 11th century. Signup and view all the answers

How did land ownership differ between European and Japanese feudalism?

Knights owned land; samurai received a salary but no land. Signup and view all the answers

What colors were traditionally associated with heraldry and their meanings?

Red for royalty, blue for the sky, green for youth, yellow for power. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following animals would typically represent reliability in heraldry?

Dog Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of using symbols in heraldry?

To identify family affiliations during battles. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about Japanese and European feudal systems is true?

European feudalism was influenced by Roman customs and the Catholic Church. Signup and view all the answers

What was required of knights according to the code of chivalry?

To be brave, loyal, and honest Signup and view all the answers

How did King Arthur become king?

By drawing Excalibur from a stone Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Round Table?

To hold meetings amongst knights Signup and view all the answers

What would happen to a knight who did not uphold the values of chivalry?

They would lose their title and honor Signup and view all the answers

Which knight is famously associated with a romance involving Queen Guinevere?

Sir Lancelot Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant theme in the stories of knights?

Valuing honor and serving others Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Song of Roland in relation to knights?

It outlined the expected behaviors of knights Signup and view all the answers

Which of these values was not part of the code of chivalry?

Disregard the Church Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the suit of armor for knights?

To protect them from injuries in combat Signup and view all the answers

What would happen if a knight's armor did not fit perfectly?

The knight was in danger of being badly injured Signup and view all the answers

What role did tournaments of jousting play during the time of knights?

They were a source of training and entertainment Signup and view all the answers

In medieval feudal systems, who were the warriors in Europe known as?

Knights Signup and view all the answers

What type of armor protected the horse's face in battles?

Chamfron Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the material knights wore before the development of armor?

Padded clothing and chainmail Signup and view all the answers

What was used by knights during a joust to knock their opponent off his horse?

A lance Signup and view all the answers

How were social standings generally determined in medieval feudal systems?

By hereditary lineage Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence for knights who failed to conform to the expected conduct?

They received mock funerals. Signup and view all the answers

At what age did boys begin training to become pages?

7 Signup and view all the answers

What types of weapons were typically used for close combat by knights and soldiers?

Battle ax and mace Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant change that marked the end of the code of chivalry?

Shift in focus towards self-interest Signup and view all the answers

What critical training topic did knights NOT receive for knighthood?

Newest farming techniques Signup and view all the answers

Why was archery an important skill for medieval soldiers?

It enabled fighting from a distance. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the responsibilities of a squire during training?

Practicing combat with wooden dummies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a type of siege weapon used in medieval warfare?

Lance Signup and view all the answers

What did the term 'mock funerals' refer to in the context of knightly punishment?

A humiliation for knights who failed to conform Signup and view all the answers

How did knights typically demonstrate their skills after the need for them in battles diminished?

Competing in jousts and tournaments Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Knighthood

Knights were a class of noble-born men trained for warfare.
They were below royalty but above peasants in the feudal system.
Knights were granted land by the king in exchange for loyalty and military service.
Knights served in the king's army for at least 40-90 days each year.
The rest of the year they managed their land.
Knights were expected to live by the Code of Chivalry, demonstrating virtues like bravery, loyalty, generosity, and respect for women.

The Legend of King Arthur

The stories of King Arthur and his knights are legendary.
King Arthur became king through a magical sword, Excalibur.
The stories feature Merlin, the wizard who served King Arthur.
The legend includes the Round Table where King Arthur assembled his knights.
The Code of Chivalry, emphasizing bravery, loyalty, honor, and generosity, shaped the heroic image of King Arthur and his knights.

The Code of Chivalry

The Code or Chivalry wasn't a written document, but a set of expectations for knights.
Derived from the Song of Roland, it emphasized fighting for justice, respecting women, fulfilling oaths, honesty, and protecting the weak.
Knights were expected to be devout Christians and serve the Church.
Knights who failed to adhere to the code were punished by social ostracization and loss of status.

Knight School

Training to become a knight began at age seven and lasted for years.
Pages (ages 7-14) learned strength training, agility, and basic combat with wooden weapons.
Squires (ages 14-21) advanced their skills in horseback riding, archery, sword fighting, and hand-to-hand combat.
Knights received advanced instruction in warfare strategies, castle taking and defending.

Medieval Military Technology

Medieval warfare relied on various weapons, including bows and arrows, axes, maces, and siege weapons.
Siege weapons like catapults and battering rams were used to attack castles.

Archery

Archers were crucial in medieval warfare, trained to hit targets from a distance.
Archery was not just a skill for men; women were also proficient archers.
Proficiency in archery was mandatory by law in the 1200s.
The Battle of Crecy (1300s) demonstrated the effectiveness of archers, with 2,000 French soldiers killed by arrows.

A Suit of Armor

Knight wore armor for protection in battle.
Early armor consisted of padded clothing and chainmail.
Suits of armor were expensive and required precise fitting for effective protection.
Armor included various pieces for head-to-toe protection, including greaves, breastplates, helmets, and visors.
Horses also wore armor, called a chamfron, to protect their faces.

Jousting

Jousting tournaments were popular events where knights demonstrated their skills.
Victories could lead to prizes, while defeats resulted in the forfeiture of armor or horses.
Jousting involved riders on horseback using long lances to unhorse their opponents.

Feudal Societies Compare and Contrast

Medieval Europe and Japan both had feudal systems.
Knights in Europe were the warriors, while samurai were the warriors in Japan.
Both systems were based on hereditary social classes.
European and Japanese warriors relied on horses to fight.
European feudalism mixed Roman, German, and Catholic influences, while Japanese feudalism was influenced by Chinese philosophy and Confucianism.
European knights held land, while Japanese samurai received salaries but no land.

Heraldry

Heraldry is the use of symbols, colors, and images to identify individuals and families.
Knights displayed their symbols on shields and helmets.
Symbols included ordinaries, geometric shapes, animals, and mythical creatures.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of knighthood, the legendary tales of King Arthur, and the principles of the Code of Chivalry. Discover how knights were integral to the feudal system and the virtues they upheld. Delve into the stories that shaped their heroic image and the significant characters that influenced these legends.