French Chivalry: Chivalric Ideas and Practices in Mediaeval France

by Sidney Painter

Originally published in 1940. Chivalry denotes the ideals and practices considered suitable for a noble. The word itself is reminiscent of the aristocratic society of medieval France dominated by mounted warriors. As early as the eleventh century, several different views of chivalric standards and behavior had appeared. During the next four hundred years, these conceptions of the ideal nobleman were developed by and for the feudal ruling class. French Chivalry studies chivalry from the perspectives of both social history and the history of ideas. The first chapter provides readers unfamiliar with medieval history the background required for understanding the chapters on chivalry.

Genres: History, Medieval History, Nonfiction, France

188 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1940

About the author

Johns Hopkins University

Reviews

[KC Cui · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 Pleasant slim volume. I enjoyed the author’s noncommittal tone (he was like “personally i think based on admittedly scant evidence.. but the reader can think whatever they want”) That was amusing. Referenced (but did not deeply delve into) a lot of primary sources that would be good to check out

[Maranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a short and quite in depth study of the chivalric tradition of medieval France. There are chapters on nobles, on religious chivalry, and my favorite a chapter devoted to courtly love. There is examinations of lyric poetry and troubadours and medieval writers that influenced the chivalric tradition. I would recommend this book to any medieval enthusiast, especially those that are hopeless romantics!

[Amanda]

Excellent source book! I used this book as an outside source for a paper on medieval society as viewed through the Lais of Marie de France. Captivating. I will finish off the other chapters once I stop reading my trashy romance novels (in other words, it may be a while!).

[Madeline W · Rating 4 out of 5]

very amusing!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and well-researched. Occasionally drops into french, doesn't insult the reader's intelligence. A pleasant de-romanticisation of the knightly image.

[Jonathan]

None