Middle Ages Chivalry Vs Reality

The time period of the Middle Ages is among the most documented, or notable, periods in history. There are countless records, primary sources, books, and more recently, movies for individuals to learn from and get to know the events and individuals who lived through these so-called “Dark Ages”. It may be known to most as the time of chivalrous knights, forbidden love, and backstabbing royals due to movies and TV shows. However, how factual are these renditions? What are the similarities and differences in the perception of aspects such as chivalry, marriage, and gender roles, between what we know to be true based on various films and reality? Before describing the dissimilarities and likeness of Chivalry in film and reality, one must …show more content…
His plentiful accomplishments include, earning the title of Earl of Pembroke, the bodyguard for Eleanor of Aquitaine and the young King Henry the Third, producing legendary results at tournaments, and serving four kings, Henry II, Richard, John, and Henry III (Jones). He was documented at major tournaments, such as the tournament at Lagny-sur-Marne. “…But the Marshal hounded …show more content…
Therefore in some instances the movies can be aligned with a certain reality. William Marshal was known to be a loyal and brave man, which are chivalrous characteristics, for why else would kings trust him with not only their lives, but also the lives of their heirs. These are the qualities we know to be true about knights. According to Leo Braudy, author of From Chivalry to Terrorism, “Chivalry, properly understood, would shape the behavior of the true knight and allow the condemnation of the false. Cloaked in its precepts, knights could no longer be accused of being bullies in armor…”(Braudy74). It is crucial to recognize the fact that there are knights who do not follow this code, and not everyone displays the characteristics of chivalry. During the Middle Ages knights would go to fight in the crusades. Therefore, the same men we think of, as being polite to women and fighting for a just cause, are the ones who are killing innocent Jewish mothers and children for reasons that may or may not be justifiable. According to Christopher Tyerman, author of the Chronicles of the First Crusade, “…who had slaughtered the exiled Jews through greed of money, rather than for the sake of God’s justice…”(Tyerman36). Stephen, Count of Blois and Chartres goes onto to further describe the horrors of the crusades, “…we conquered them and killed an innumerable multitude--God continually