Chivalry in Arthurian Legend Essay -- Medieval Times Knighthood Essays

Chivalry in Arthurian LegendMerriam-Websters on-line dictionary defines chivalry as the system, spirit, or customs of medieval nicknamehood. As Leon Gautier, author 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 Wedding 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 suggest 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 kindliness 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 great deal to do with delineate the values of knighthood.The Wife of Baths Tale and The Wedd ing of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell both follow the story of a knight who makes a rash promise on which his invigoration 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 eon 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 defend 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 courteous to the ladies. They were honest, distinguished gentlemen. When they gave their word, it was trusted without doubt. They were the substitution class 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/Athens/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).