Foreword Five centuries after knights ceased to play a role in Europe's wars, they continue to intrigue us. All over the world, children construct makeshift "castles" and play-fight with plastic swords. Adults reenact medieval battles or take on the personae of fictional knights. Meanwhile, the image of the bold, Christian fighter, absolutely loyal to his lord, gentle to women and the weak, but implacable toward his enemies, is ubiquitous, appearing in video games, novels, and even sports logos. This romantic image inspires many people to find out more about the Middle Ages. But was there ever a real age of knighthood? Stories of knights in shining armor can be so romanticized that one might easily imagine that knights are as fantastic as the dragons they supposedly fought. Knights were real, however. Horseborne warriors, they first emerged in France during the eleventh century and dominated Europe's wars until the fourteenth century, when advances in infantry tactics and the development of gunpowder reduced their effectiveness. They might have often been quick-tempered and violent, coarse and rough, but even their enemies recognized them as superb fighters. And as those of noble blood also began to define themselves as knights, these fighters, encouraged by their lords, ladies, and the church, tried to temper their violence and rude ways by adhering to ideals of honor and courtesy -- the concept of chivalry, in other words. Increasingly, too, they enjoyed hearing and reading stories of legendary knights who fought gallantly for God and the ladies they loved -- just as we enjoy such stories today. This book introduces both the history and the legend of medieval knights. In its pages, contributors from North America, the United Kingdom, and Australasia, all experts in their fields, explore the role of knights across the centuries. Knights are seen emerging into history, at the same time as castles were first built, and playing major roles in such events as the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the Crusades against Islam, and the Hundred Years' War. A knight's youthful training, his horse, his sword and armor, the heraldic symbols that came to identify him, tournaments, the tricky reconciliation of violence with Christian beliefs, and the shifting ideals of chivalry are all detailed. Comparisons are made with fighters in other parts of the world, such as Japan's samurai , who were both like and unlike the knights of Europe. Knights are also seen through the lens of literature -- both medieval works and modern tales -- and through a rich array of illustrations, including images from medieval manuscripts and from nineteenth-century paintings, where representations of the knight reach an apex of romance and glorification. The volume concludes with the continuing appearance of knights in games and movies, and in the titles given to members of modern organizations such as the Knights of Columbus -- indicating that, while historical knights may be far in the past, their legend lives on. Constance Brittain Bouchard Excerpted from Knights: In History and Legend All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
