To best be able to describe the evolution of the 13th century knight we must first understand its roots, its origins. The origins of knighthood has always been the feudalistic society of the 8th century. The Frankish Kingdom at this t

The chivalry of this era is based on the aristocratic social status of knights, in this case, the Knights of The Round Table. Those knights who work directly for the King of The Britons, Arthur, as well as directly for God, as he has put them on a quest for the Holy Grail. The credentials of these knights are impeccable, and they are of the highest social class possible. Chivalry was in effect a code of morals for these knights to live by, well mannered and truthful, deadly, yet charitable to the weak and merciful, generous and loyal, as well as courageous and valiant. The list continues, gallant and selfless, well born and well trained in the arts of fighting and chivalry(in the original horse riding sense). We are already familiar with the importance of loyalty in the lord vassal sense of the word, as we are with the generousness associated with Charlemagne in the ³Song of Roland.² The concepts that define chivalry in this later era are many of the same as previous centuries, yet with focus more on some of the more personal aspects of chivalry.

As the greatest knight of the 11th century, William Marshal, in fact, so impressed with the knights of the Temple, became one in his last years(Duby, 14-15). The Templars are very pious and strict, ³They detest chess and dice; they abhor hunting and take no place in the silly chase of birds. They detest and abominate actors, magicians, storytellers, immodest songs and plays; these for them are vanities and follies.²(reader, p.295) Other Knights of the time who read about the Templars see them as an example to follow, knowing they are looked down upon well by God.

The Lady of the Lake, in ³Lancelot of the Lake,² gives an explanation that describes the duality of the knight. ³A knight should have two hearts,² she says, ³one as hard and impenetrable as a diamond, and the other as soft and pliable as hot wax.²(Corley, p. 2) It is this balance between the time to run one¹s sword into the chest of the opponent and the time to spare a life that makes a true knight. The attainment of this balance is shrouded in much mythology, so that I am not sure it would survive in an increasingly modern world. This proves to be the truth, as the 15th century comes along and we experience the decline of the knight.

What is chivalry then, this brings us up to about the 12th and 13th centuries, where all of the knightly concepts have matured through hundreds of years of trials and tests. The last great tale of the Arthurian world, chivalry in this context is at is ripened state.

The idea of who one is loyal to is now more up for discussion. It is true that the knights are in all ways loyal to their lord, yet now with new concepts that force knights to seek the hearts of women, women are in some ways the objects of great loyalty. I am reminded of the scene in ³Monty Python and the Quest for The Holy Grail² where Lancelot rece

Some common words found in the essay are:
Frankish Kingdom, William Marshal, Knighthood Throughout, Holy Grail, Lady Lake, Mador²Lancelot Mador, Neither Templars, Courtly Love², Grail² Lancelot, Death Arthur², social status, feats valor, william marshal, 12th 13th centuries, code morals, knight chivalry, 12th 13th, knights temple, court life, 11th century, 13th centuries,
Approximate Word count = 1950
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)