Medieval Justice In 'The Story Of The Grail'

Fredrick Pollock, an English judge, once said, “Medieval justice was a quant thing.” Over the centuries the term Justice, and righteousness has been bent back and forth. Medieval justice is now just considered a crude unlawful way, however, very sensible at the time. Where punishments for minor crimes could cost a hand, or head. Punishments were often rash and quick. Throughout the epic women are treated and portrayed harshly and unfairly for today’s standards. However, they are also treated with chivalry, just not portrayed as independent. Written by Chrétien, The Story Of The Grail to modern standards treats women with harsh decree, expected helplessness, and at the same time chivalry.
To start with, the second woman shown in the Epic was treated as a slave, or a pet. The Main character, Perceval, a misled, confused, and senseless boy finds her in a tent while her lover was gone, and rides off after stealing a ring, food, and forcing a kiss. Immediately she burst into tears begging for him to give her ring back, for she was to be married with it. Over her sorrows and tears she said, “Don’t carry off my ring! You’ll …show more content…
One after another Perceval runs into many different maidens, each one just as helpless as the last. Perceval rides into a Kingdom laid bare of all provisions, the Ruler of it a lady, lost of all hope. At first upon meeting her he asks for shelter for the knight, graciously accepting him she provided what all she could. Breaking she said, “Despair is all my days bring me. I’m so lost in sadness.” After hearing this he asked what troubled her, one man alone controlling troops to cut off food supply, persistent on getting her as his prize. Perceval in a duel defeated him in returned the Kingdom to its former glory. Unlike modern times where a woman is strong in independent medieval times portrays them as weak and