Nobility In Medieval Times
Nobility in Medieval Times: Fact vs. Fiction
The ideas and lives of medieval nobility have been studied and romanticized for a long time. These concepts have been displayed in many different plays, books, and movies. The origin of this movement could at least partially be attributed to Sir Thomas Malory. His work work Le Morte D’Arthur, a collection of tales about the legendary British king, Arthur of Camelot, have helped to shape modern thinking about these time periods. The writings of Sir Thomas Malory give the reader a picture of what the nobility was like in his day, however it can sometimes be inaccurate due to fictional stories and myths included in his writings.
The medieval literary work Le Morte D’Arthur, translated as The Death …show more content…
If King Arthur really existed he was more than likely a general who defended Britain. In the famous Arthurian tale Arthur pulls a sword from a stone proving his lineage and that he was worthy of the throne of Britain. The kingdom of Camelot is thought to be based on an actual place in Britain, most likely Cadbury Castle but many scholars site other possible locations as the place of his kingdom. Modern historians believe that King Arthur's kingdom was simply a legendary utopia in contrast to the harsh depiction of the Middle Ages of violence and disease. In 1890 the monks of Glastonbury are said to have uncovered a hollow log containing the bodies of King Arthur and his queen Guinevere and a cross with a Latin …show more content…
Malory lived in a time long after the setting of Arthur and Camelot, however his writings show that chivalry was an important or at least widely known set of ideas. Historical records although point to Malory living a life not modeled on the highest ideas of the Arthur legend. He was recorded as being the perpetrator of multiple crimes such as theft, extortion, and rape. There are some that believe that these charges may have had no merit, and were simply constructions of Malory’s political enemies. Regardless of their merit Malory did spend time in prison including the infamous new gate prison. The medieval system of Feudalism kept the peasants in a near constant state of oppression. Under Feudalism peasants were required to pay taxes and give some of their farm production to the noble men who owned the land they lived on. (Wheeler, 1998) All of this points to an occurrence common to people in all ages, striving for the idea but falling short. This own shortcomings might have been the reason why Malory included in Le Morte d’Arthur the tale of Lancelot and Guinevere, who had an adulterous relationship, going against the teachings of chivalry and Christianity.
“I marvel that we all be not ashamed both to see and to know how Sir Launcelot lieth daily and nightly by the queen, and all we know it so; and it is shamefully suffered of us all, that we all should suffer so noble a king as King Arthur is so
The ideas and lives of medieval nobility have been studied and romanticized for a long time. These concepts have been displayed in many different plays, books, and movies. The origin of this movement could at least partially be attributed to Sir Thomas Malory. His work work Le Morte D’Arthur, a collection of tales about the legendary British king, Arthur of Camelot, have helped to shape modern thinking about these time periods. The writings of Sir Thomas Malory give the reader a picture of what the nobility was like in his day, however it can sometimes be inaccurate due to fictional stories and myths included in his writings.
The medieval literary work Le Morte D’Arthur, translated as The Death …show more content…
If King Arthur really existed he was more than likely a general who defended Britain. In the famous Arthurian tale Arthur pulls a sword from a stone proving his lineage and that he was worthy of the throne of Britain. The kingdom of Camelot is thought to be based on an actual place in Britain, most likely Cadbury Castle but many scholars site other possible locations as the place of his kingdom. Modern historians believe that King Arthur's kingdom was simply a legendary utopia in contrast to the harsh depiction of the Middle Ages of violence and disease. In 1890 the monks of Glastonbury are said to have uncovered a hollow log containing the bodies of King Arthur and his queen Guinevere and a cross with a Latin …show more content…
Malory lived in a time long after the setting of Arthur and Camelot, however his writings show that chivalry was an important or at least widely known set of ideas. Historical records although point to Malory living a life not modeled on the highest ideas of the Arthur legend. He was recorded as being the perpetrator of multiple crimes such as theft, extortion, and rape. There are some that believe that these charges may have had no merit, and were simply constructions of Malory’s political enemies. Regardless of their merit Malory did spend time in prison including the infamous new gate prison. The medieval system of Feudalism kept the peasants in a near constant state of oppression. Under Feudalism peasants were required to pay taxes and give some of their farm production to the noble men who owned the land they lived on. (Wheeler, 1998) All of this points to an occurrence common to people in all ages, striving for the idea but falling short. This own shortcomings might have been the reason why Malory included in Le Morte d’Arthur the tale of Lancelot and Guinevere, who had an adulterous relationship, going against the teachings of chivalry and Christianity.
“I marvel that we all be not ashamed both to see and to know how Sir Launcelot lieth daily and nightly by the queen, and all we know it so; and it is shamefully suffered of us all, that we all should suffer so noble a king as King Arthur is so