Using fictional and 'factual' literature, the dissertation attempts to understand the multiplicity of masculinity and individual knightly motivations caused by competing factual and fictional depictions of chivalry. Overall, histories of chivalry and masculinity between c 1350-c 1410 in France have been treated singularly. The ideal qualities of chivalry have been treated as the reality for all-knights, when in fact chivalric ideologies were unique to individuals and overlapped in both factual and fictional literature of the period.
Chivalry in the Middle Ages has often been defined as ‘the religious and moral system of behavior that the perfect knight was expected to follow’. However, singular definitions of chivalry should be disregarded because displays of medieval masculinity and chivalry were a complicated mixture of social conditions, institutional influence, and individual motivation.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Chapter One: Reforming Knighthood, Reconstructing Masculinity: Geoffroi de Charny's Livre de Chevalerie (c.1350-6) and Christine de Pizan's Cent Ballades d'amant et de dame (c.1405-10)
- Chapter Two: The Power of Performance in Jean Froissart's Méliador (c.1383-88) and Christine de Pizan's The Book of the Body Politic (c.1407)
- Chapter Three: Deconstructing Chivalric Memory: Song of Bertrand du Guesclin (1380-9) and Christine de Pizan's The Book of Deeds and Arms of Chivalry (c.1410)
Objectives and Key Themes
This dissertation aims to challenge the traditional singular narratives of chivalry in 14th and 15th century France, moving beyond the simplistic categorization of chivalry into religious, courtly, feudal, or martial frameworks. It investigates the multifaceted nature of chivalry by analyzing the interplay of social conditions, institutional influence, and individual motivations in shaping knightly identities and the depiction of chivalry in literature.
- The complexities of defining and interpreting medieval chivalry.
- The diverse representations of masculinity and chivalric ideals in literature.
- The relationship between literary depictions of chivalry and the lived experiences of knights.
- The evolving understanding and application of chivalric values throughout the period.
- The role of individual agency in shaping the expression of chivalry.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter One: Reforming Knighthood, Reconstructing Masculinity: Geoffroi de Charny's Livre de Chevalerie (c.1350-6) and Christine de Pizan's Cent Ballades d'amant et de dame (c.1405-10): This chapter analyzes Geoffroi de Charny's "Livre de Chevalerie" and Christine de Pizan's "Cent Ballades d'amant et de dame" to explore how these works present and reform the concept of knighthood and its connection to masculinity. Charny's text provides a framework for ideal knighthood, while de Pizan's ballads offer a counterpoint, potentially highlighting the complexities and contradictions within the chivalric ideal and challenging the limitations of a solely masculine interpretation. The chapter examines how both authors contribute to a nuanced understanding of chivalric masculinity, showcasing the range of ideals and realities during that period. The comparison reveals the evolving conceptions of the knightly figure and the challenges to established norms.
Chapter Two: The Power of Performance in Jean Froissart's Méliador (c.1383-88) and Christine de Pizan's The Book of the Body Politic (c.1407): This chapter explores the role of performance in shaping perceptions of chivalry. Froissart's "Méliador" and de Pizan's "The Book of the Body Politic" are examined to understand how the actions and portrayals of knights created and reinforced (or subverted) ideals of chivalry. The chapter delves into the ways in which both literary and actual performances influenced the understanding of knightly virtues, examining the potential discrepancies between idealized portrayals and lived realities. The interplay between literature and social practices is central to this analysis, showing how performances contributed to the fluidity and malleability of chivalric ideals.
Chapter Three: Deconstructing Chivalric Memory: Song of Bertrand du Guesclin (1380-9) and Christine de Pizan's The Book of Deeds and Arms of Chivalry (c.1410): This chapter focuses on how the "Song of Bertrand du Guesclin" and de Pizan's "The Book of Deeds and Arms of Chivalry" engage with and challenge existing narratives surrounding chivalry. The chapter examines the ways in which these texts both reinforce and reshape the memory of chivalric actions and figures, highlighting the inherent complexities and potential inconsistencies in establishing a definitive chivalric legacy. The analysis will show how historical accounts and contemporary literary creations shaped and reshaped perceptions of past and present chivalric ideals. This chapter explores how the past was remembered and re-interpreted to support current ideals and aspirations.
Keywords
Medieval Chivalry, Masculinity, Knighthood, France (14th-15th Century), Christine de Pizan, Geoffroi de Charny, Jean Froissart, Literary Representations, Social History, Performance, Individual Agency, Chivalric Ideals, Historical Memory.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main focus of this dissertation?
This dissertation challenges traditional, singular narratives of chivalry in 14th and 15th-century France. It moves beyond simplistic categorizations of chivalry and investigates its multifaceted nature by analyzing the interplay of social conditions, institutional influence, and individual motivations in shaping knightly identities and their literary depictions.
What are the key themes explored in this work?
Key themes include the complexities of defining and interpreting medieval chivalry; the diverse representations of masculinity and chivalric ideals in literature; the relationship between literary depictions and the lived experiences of knights; the evolving understanding and application of chivalric values; and the role of individual agency in shaping the expression of chivalry.
Which literary works are analyzed in this dissertation?
The dissertation analyzes several key works, including Geoffroi de Charny's Livre de Chevalerie, Christine de Pizan's Cent Ballades d'amant et de dame, Jean Froissart's Méliador, Christine de Pizan's The Book of the Body Politic, the Song of Bertrand du Guesclin, and Christine de Pizan's The Book of Deeds and Arms of Chivalry.
How are the chosen texts used to explore the themes?
Each chapter uses a comparative approach, analyzing two texts to highlight contrasting or complementary perspectives on chivalry. Chapter One examines how Livre de Chevalerie and Cent Ballades d'amant et de dame present and reform knighthood and its connection to masculinity. Chapter Two explores the role of performance in shaping perceptions of chivalry through Méliador and The Book of the Body Politic. Chapter Three investigates how Song of Bertrand du Guesclin and The Book of Deeds and Arms of Chivalry engage with and challenge existing narratives surrounding chivalry.
What is the structure of the dissertation?
The dissertation is structured into three chapters, each focusing on a specific aspect of chivalry. It includes an introduction, a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and a list of keywords.
What are the main arguments or conclusions of the dissertation?
The dissertation aims to demonstrate the multifaceted and evolving nature of chivalry, moving beyond simplistic notions. It highlights the diverse interpretations and representations of chivalric ideals across different literary works and social contexts, emphasizing the role of individual agency and the interplay between literary depictions and lived realities.
What are the keywords associated with this dissertation?
Keywords include: Medieval Chivalry, Masculinity, Knighthood, France (14th-15th Century), Christine de Pizan, Geoffroi de Charny, Jean Froissart, Literary Representations, Social History, Performance, Individual Agency, Chivalric Ideals, Historical Memory.
- Quote paper
- Georgia Parkes-Russell (Author), 2020, 'Authentic' Knight Identities and 'Ideal' Depictions of Chivalry between c.1350- c.1410 in France, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1023135
