Geoffrey of Monmouth (1150) wrote the ‘History of the King’s of Britain’ in the Chansons de Geste genre and imposed chivalric codes on the fictionalised story that centred around Arthur, his court of noble knights and their high born ladies. Later the Norman poet introduced the Round Table, a place of brotherhood and equality. Chivalry was the highest code, and designed for knights to lead a pure life and to get to heaven. It demanded to act honourably, support good causes, and have complete self control. Many endowed churches, went on pilgrimage, and fought abroad. The essence of chivalry was to defend the holy land, liberate the Holy Sepulchre. Many women and children fought alongside men.
From 1165, Chretien de Troyes introduced themes and characters, including Lancelot, Percival and the Grail. In each of the five poems, a knight looks for adventure and the rescue of damsels in distress, to defeat dragons, face enchantments, increase prowess, loyalty and courtesy. Percival is told by his mother to stop at every church and pray, and never take anything from women except a kiss and a ring. But Percival broke into a woman’s tent, aggressively kissed her and ripped a ring from her finger. An older and wiser knight tells him to help women and orphans and give mercy to any knight who needs it, and not to talk much. The quest for spiritual perfection, moderation, jousting and courtly love are high values.
In Parsifal, the poet Wolfram Von Eschenbach (1170-1220), the quest for the Grail is paramount, the Grail being a miraculous gemstone. Parsifal, within reach of the goal, fails to ask the key question that would heal the ravaged land. The spiritual element of Lancelot’s quest is about character formation and redemption. There is a warrior code and grace schooled by the Lady of the Lake and Lancelot jouster to win Queen Guinevere’s favour and the question of adultery arose that was treason against King Arthur. Due to this flaw in Lancelot’s character, he was unworthy to gain sight of the Grail. Some stories describe him as becoming a hermit and paying penance with angels finally carrying his soul to heaven.
Knights invoked saints to help them in battle and often kept relics of saints in their sword hilts, such as Roland’s sword, Durandal, that contained a tooth of St Peter, a hair of St Denis, and a thread of St Mary’s robe.
Article by Wendy Stokes https://Wendystokes.co.uk
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