The knight in history

¶ … 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 and a deep understanding of the time, to set the record straight.

Just like today's military, men chose to become knights for a variety of reasons, as the author shows. 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.

The author indicates society responded to knights in various ways. Because the Catholic Church eventually supported and Christianized the knights, they were seen by most of society as redeeming avengers working for God as well as their own devices. As a rule, society began to revere these romantic figures in their armor and astride their steeds. By the twelfth century, knightly heroics were being heralded in literature, poetry, and music. In fact, a group of "knightly troubadours" evolved who traveled the countryside reciting vs. Of various knights' escapades. These early oral histories have survived through the centuries and were some of the first records historians had to study regarding the knights and their lives. Of course, most of this literature was highly romanticized and stylized, but they indicate the importance of knights in society. Most importantly, these odes to knighthood resulted in a chivalric code evolving by the 12th century that clearly defined knights and their actions. Chivalry became one of the defining roles of knighthood, and actually defined much of the medieval period. The author notes, "... A knight should be courteous, generous, well-spoken, discreet, faithful in the service of love, he should have 'pretz e valours,' excellence and worth, as well as good sense (Gies 77-78). In turn, society looked to knights as their role models and heroes. This role in society seems far removed from their role as military fighter, but successful knights managed to blend both roles effectively, and this distinguished them throughout the Middle Ages.

The knights' role in society altered as they became more prevalent and accepted in the social order. Just as with most members of society, the knight's role altered from their earliest appearances to their gradual demise in the fifteenth century. Knights were rowdy fighters in the beginning, and by the end of their reign, they had evolved into landed gentry who were central figures in the economic and social areas of society. They were members of the aristocracy, and commanded legions of peasants and vassals underneath them. Sometimes entire towns grew up surrounding the knight's lands and castles. Their status in society grew, and so did their wealth.