Growing Up Knightly in the Middle Ages
Knighthood, Chivalry, and Heraldry
Overview of the Class
Chivalrous Qualities of Today
Power Point Slides
Quick Break (if there’s time)
Reading Activity
Coat of Arms Activity
Exit Slip
Qualities of Chivalry
Individually, come up with as many qualities you consider tobe chivalrous
After a few minutes we will talk about what we’ve written
Silent, individual work for 2 minutes
After 2 minutes, talk to your partner.
Knighthood and Chivalry
Late Middle Ages reached the high point of knighthoodpopularity, before a sharp decline
This decline was due to the invention of the longbow, andlater firearms
Monarchs used archers to rule instead of knights, they were less costlyand easier to train
Knighthood Popularity
Before this, however, knights were super popular
Rode on armored horses, serving your liege lord, dedicatingyour life to your lady, super appealing
Also had a strict code of honor to uphold
Chivalry
Code of Chivalry was the rules knights lived by
They were to be brave, generous, truthful, devout, andprotect women and children and peasants
In reality though, knights often stopped doing all of thesethings upon being knighted (too much work, easier beingbad)
Protecting women and children only applied to upper-class, serfs wereout of luck
Serfs were so regularly mistreated that laws had to be passed to protectthem from knights
Chivalry Part Two
Fighting skills were greatly valued
Jousting and hunting in particular
The better you were as a fighter, the better reputation youwould have
Reputation would help you impress your lord and keep yoursocial standing.
Knighthood Education
Would take years, usually starting around 7
Nobles son would become a ward at another nobles’ home
Was a sign of honor for the son, but it was often meant as a way tokeep alliances together (ward = hostage)
At the noble’s house the women would teach literacy, music,and courtesy to the young men, whereas the master at armswould train them in combat skills and riding
Education Part 2
Around the age of 14 or 15 they would squire to a lord
Bodyguard, attendant, battle buddy
Would learn more from the knight as well
Around 21 they could be knighted, however they had to afford thearmor to do so (like 60,000$)
If they couldn’t afford the armor, they would stay a squire until theycould, or for life
Heraldry
Defined as the science behind representation of the familyhistory
Today we usually represent our father’s lineage by our last name, butdiffers culture to culture
One specific indigenous example is the Haida, who have two mainlineages, the Raven and the Eagle
Knights would do the same thing using their shields andbanners
Would identify themselves and their family, using a coat of arms
Needed to be simple and identifiable, as in one case someone mistookhis ally’s symbol for an enemy and attacked
Symbols would change only if an heiress (the wife) were tobring a large estate into the marriage, such as lands etc.
Quick Example
Reading Activity
Individually, or in pairs, each of you must read the Knightsand Knighthood handout
While you are reading, take notes on the life of a knight fromchildhood into adulthood
Answer the question:
What milestones or rights of passage do you have in your life that comewith age?
For example “drivers license”
We will discuss answers afterward
Coat of Arms Activity
Either using the template, or designing your own, come upwith a family coat of arms
You will need to choose colours that represent your family oryourself
You will need to choose an animal, an object, or somethingsimilar that represents your family or yourself.
Using the shapes and colours you’ve chosen, design andcreate your own Coat of Arms
Some examples of Coats of Arms
Conclusion
On a spare piece of paper, write down your answer to thefollowing
What are three things about knighthood that we discussedtoday.
Please hand it in when you are done, and wait for the bell.
For homework, please finish the Coat of Arms you’vedesigned.