¶ … Knight in History by Frances Gies. Specifically, it will explain the author's purpose and main points in writing the book. "The Knight in History" is a detailed look at how knights functioned in society, how they lived, worked, and added to the economy. These larger than life figures have been romanticized in hundreds of films and books, but Gies attempts to show readers what they really were like, and how the reality differed from the romantic notions of gallant knights in armor roaming the countryside on their trusty steeds. The role of knight was vital in medieval history, Gies' book shows the reader exactly why, and why their role in society should not be ignored. Author Frances Gies, a respected historian, wrote this book as a chronicle of knighthood and chivalry at a time when there were not many resources available on the realities of knights and their role in the feudal society. She notes early in the book "The knight may be defined from three different standpoints, each of them important: the military, the economic, and the social" (Gies 3). Here then are the main points Gies will cover in the book, and the main points the reader should acknowledge and be aware of. Knights played crucial roles in medieval history, and Gies sets out to show the reader why. Her book is a compelling look at knights, from their motivations, and their lifestyle to their purpose in a changing medieval society. Knights were certainly romantic and daring figures, but much is still unknown about them, and Gies attempts, by meticulous research...
Clearly, knights enjoyed a higher place in society than the peasantry. In fact, Gies notes they were the bottom rung of the upper class, and so their lifestyle was better than that of the village vassals and serfs. Knights acquired land with their tenure, and they had the opportunity to gain riches as a result of their wars and feuds with others, too. As Gies notes, "In the incessant petty wars of western Europe, prizes were horses and cattle, forage and food" (Gies 30). In addition, many men became knights to serve God and participate in the Crusades. As knighthood flourished, the rough and uncouth fighters of early knighthood evolved into landed gentry who fought in tournaments and kept their lords' keeps safe from marauders and rival lords. Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons men became knights is because many of them simply loved the battle. As Gies notes, "the medieval knight relished war for its own sake" (Gies 31). Thus, knights joined their fellows for a number of reasons, from religious to the ability to create better lifestyles for themselves through riches and increased income. Knighthood was many things to many people, and the author shows the variety of people it attracted throughout the book.
Knights Templar Who were the Knights of Templar? They were the earliest founders and followers of military orders, and protectors of pilgrims, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia. But they were much more than that, as this paper will point out. They began as very humble warriors, they continued with surprisingly strong growth period but their ending was tragic. This paper reviews the origins, the purposes, the actions and the endings that
Knights Templar was a group of knights whose history dates back to the First Crusade at around 1119 AD. When originally convened, the knights chosen were the bravest and most devoted Christians amongst all the men fighting in the Crusades.[footnoteRef:1] Their purpose was to help defend Jerusalem defend itself against the Muslim enemies. Also it was the job of the Knights Templar to provide protection for people who were making
Knight, Death, Devil Durer Artistic Analysis: Knight, Death, Devil by Durer "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil," Psalm 23 could easily be taken as the primary influence for this piece (The British Museum 2012). "Knight, Death, and the Devil," by Albercht Durer in 1513, features a Christian knight walking through a dark valley in the midst of evil and death. It is
Thus, some suggest that the competition between the workers was crucial. More precisely "competition between high-wage white workers and low-wage Asian workers explains racial exclusion (...) labor competition was the central feature of ethnic division in the working class, and exclusion was the only viable strategy under these circumstances." (Creese, 1988, 294) Despite this possible explanation there were other factors as well that determined the white workers to exclude Asians.
Staircase ramps which are comprised of steep and narrow steps that lead up one face of the pyramid were more in use at that time with evidence found at the Sinki, Meidum, Giza, Abu Ghurob, and Lisht pyramids respectively (Heizer). A third ramp variation was the spiral ramp, found in use during the nineteenth dynasty and was, as its name suggests, comprised of a ramp covering all faces of the
History Of Human Sexuality Sexuality has had a significant role in the flow of human history. It has been used as a means of control; form of art or in the form of science played a role in influencing the lives of people right through human history. Sexuality has been altered by the behavior and beliefs of people. Sexuality has also changed the way people behave and their beliefs. From the
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