Chivalry in Arthurian Legend Essay -- Medieval Times Knighthood Essays

Chivalry in Arthurian LegendMerriam-Websters on-line lexicon defines chivalry as the system, spirit, or customs of medieval knighthood. As Leon Gautier, beginning of Chivalry, defines this system and spirit of knighthood by identifying rules of chivalry, two of which are well illustrated in Lanval, TheWife of Baths Tale, and The get hitched with of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnel Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy pledged word, and Thou shalt be generous, and give largess to everyone(qtd. in Chivalry). All three stories seem to counsel the predominant theme of a knight living up to his word. This is shown by the fact that, in each story, the knights oath is taken very seriously, is treated as a contract, and is trusted implicitly. The generosity of the knight is also portrayed in these works. It is not difficult to see, given the moral overtone of these rules, that the Church had a salient deal to do with defining the values of knighthood.The Wife of Baths Tale an d The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell both follow the story of a knight who makes a intoxicating promise on which his life depends. Even under the most difficult of circumstances, these promises are kept. In the story of Dame Ragnell and Sir Gawain, King Arthur is described by the author as a knight who bare away the honour, Where-so-evere he went(9). Surely he must be held to any code of honor imposed on a knight While on a hunting expedition, King Arthur is confronted by a fully armed knight, named Gromer Somer Joure. Arthur is alone, scarcely armed and unable to patronize himself against Gromer, who is ready to take Arthurs life. In order to avoid instant death, Arthur is forced to swear to return, alone and in this same arraye(87... ...h, defend the king, his land and his people, and be well-behaved to the ladies. They were honest, distinguished gentlemen. When they gave their word, it was trusted without doubt. They were the epitome of chivalry.Works CitedLanval. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Seventh Edition. Volume 1. New York 2000. (127-140).Merriam-Webster Online The Language Center. Online. Internet. 2000. Merriam-Webster Incorporated.Available http//www.m-w.com/Price, Brian R. On Knighthood. Online. Internet. 11/22/2000.Available http//www.geocities.com/capital of Greece/Oracle/7374/knights-2.htmlRules of Chivalry. Online. Internet. 11/11/2000.Available http//www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/5266/chivalry.htmThe Wife of Baths Prologue and Tale. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Seventh Edition. Volume 1. New York 2000. (253-280).