Medieval Chivalry

Richard Kaeuper presents a new analysis of chivalry, re-interpreting it as a fundamental aspect of medieval society.

Richard W. Kaeuper (Author)

9780521137959, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 19 May 2016

447 pages, 13 b/w illus.
21.5 x 13.8 x 2 cm, 0.6 kg

'Even though the medieval institutions of chivalry and knighthood have been the object of countless investigations, there is always the need for further analysis because we face a highly complex and often changing phenomenon. Richard W. Kaeuper accepted this challenge and here presents an extensive study of medieval chivalry, offering in-depth historical perspectives, cultural and literary reflections on chivalry, and he views chivalry even in light of the history of emotions.' Albrecht Classen, Mediaevistik

Emerging in the medieval period, chivalry embodied ideals that elite warriors cherished and practices that formed their profession. In this major new overview, Richard Kaeuper examines how chivalry made sense of violence and war, making it tolerable for elite fighters rather than non-knightly or sub-knightly populations. He discusses how chivalry buttressed status and profession, shaped active piety, and fostered intense warrior attachments and heterosexual relationships. Though showing regional and chronological variations, chivalry at its core enshrined the practice of prowess in securing honor, with this process significantly blessed by religion. Both kingship and church authority sought to direct the great force of chivalry and, despite tensions, finally came to terms with rising knightly status and a burgeoning military role. Kaeuper engages with a wide range of evidence in his analysis, drawing on the chivalric literature, manuscript illumination, and sermon exempla and moral tales.

Part I. An Approach to Chivalry: Was It Real and Practical?: 1. The reality of medieval chivalry
2. Models of medieval chivalry
Part II. Three Broad Chronological Phases: 3. Phase one: knighthood becoming chivalry
4. Phase two: knighthood and chivalry fuse
5. Phase three: chivalry beyond formal knighthood
Part III. The Privileged Practice of Violence: 6. Chivalry and war
7. Tournament
Part IV. Chivalry, Governing Institutions and Ideals: 8. Kings and knights
9. Chivalry in dialogue with religious ideals
Part V. The World of Chivalric Emotions: 10. Love and amity, men and women
11. Anger, wrath, fear, thirst for vengeance
Reflections
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural history [HBTB], Medieval history [HBLC1], European history [HBJD]