Chivalry and Violence in Medieval Europe / Edition 1

by Richard W. Kaeuper

Overview

This original and authoritative text reveals how chivalry was part of the problem of violence in medieval Europe, not merely its solution. The ideal was to internalize restraint in knights, but a close reading of chivalric literature shows chivalry also praised heroic violence by knights. This fascinating book lays bare the conflicts and paradoxes surrounding the concept of chivalry in medieval Europe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198207306
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	12/23/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	350
Product dimensions:	9.53(w) x 6.46(h) x 0.98(d)
Lexile:	1570L (what's this?)

About the Author

University of Rochester

Table of Contents

PrologueIssues and Approaches1. The Problem of Public Order and the Knights2. Evidence on Chivalry and its InterpretationThe Link with Clergie3. Knights and Piety4. Clergie, Chevalerie, and ReformThe Link with Royaute5. Chevaleriue and Royaute6. English Kingship, Chivalry, and LiteratureThe Ambivalent Force of Chivalry7. The Privileged Practice of Violence: Worship of the Demi-God Prowess8. Knighthood in Action9. Social Dominance of the Knights10. Knights, Ladies, and Love11. Chanson de Geste and Reform12. Quest and Questioning in Romance13. Chivalric Self-Criticism and ReformEpilogueBibliography

Editorial Reviews

"Bringing together the insights of leading historians of medieval chivalry and those of literary scholars, two parallel fields whose practitioners do not always communicate as frequently or fruitfully with each other as they should, is the major contribution of Kaeuper's elegant synthesis."—Speculum

"A vibrantly written book...Kaeuper has taken chivalry out of the knight's court and revealed its presence and importance throughout many layers of medieval society."—Historian

From the Publisher