Medieval Chivalry
Medieval Chivalry by Richard W. Kaeuper, published by Cambridge University Press on May 19, 2016, is a comprehensive examination of the ideals and practices associated with chivalry during the medieval period. This 428-page work delves into how chivalry shaped the understanding of violence and war among elite warriors, distinguishing their experiences from those of non-knightly populations. Kaeuper explores the relationship between chivalry, status, and profession, as well as its influence on piety and personal relationships, all while highlighting the religious underpinnings that sanctified the pursuit of honor.
Readers will find a thorough analysis that engages with various forms of evidence, including chivalric literature, manuscript illumination, and moral tales. Kaeuper addresses the regional and chronological variations of chivalric practices, illustrating how they were intertwined with the authority of kingship and the church. This edition provides insights into the complex dynamics of knightly status and the evolving military role of knights, offering a detailed perspective on the social history of medieval Europe.
Official synopsis Publisher
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.
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