Knights
- The Knights Code of Chivalry described in the Song of Roland and an excellent representation of the Knights Codes of Chivalry are as follows:
- To fear God and maintain His Church
- To serve the liege lord in valour and faith
- To protect the weak and defenceless
- To give succor to widows and orphans
- To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
- To live by honor and for glory
- To despise pecuniary reward
- To fight for the welfare of all
- To obey those placed in authority
- To guard the honor of fellow knights
- To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit
- To keep faith
- At all times to speak the truth
- To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
- To respect the honor of women
- Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
- Never to turn the back upon a foe
11th Century Knight
14th Century Knight
Life in a village
The peasants, including serfs, freeman and villeins, on a manor lived close together in one or more villages. Their small, thatch-roofed, and one-roomed houses would be grouped about an open space (the "green"), or on both sides of a single, narrow street. The only important buildings were the parish church, the parsonage, a mill, if a stream ran through the manor, and possibly a blacksmith's shop. The population of one of these villages often did not often exceed one hundred people.
Typical Peasant Cottage
Paying Homage
: respect or honor
: something that is done to honor someone or something
a : a feudal ceremony by which a man acknowledges himself the vassal of a lord
b : the relationship between a feudal lord and his vassal
c : an act done or payment made in meeting the obligations of vassalage
d : expression of high regard : respect —often used with pay
e : something that shows respect or attests to the worth or influence of another : tribute <his long life filled with international homages to his unique musical talent
: something that is done to honor someone or something
a : a feudal ceremony by which a man acknowledges himself the vassal of a lord
b : the relationship between a feudal lord and his vassal
c : an act done or payment made in meeting the obligations of vassalage
d : expression of high regard : respect —often used with pay
e : something that shows respect or attests to the worth or influence of another : tribute <his long life filled with international homages to his unique musical talent
Kings
- Some of the Kings were great and some brought shame to their countries. When they used their money wisely and helped the peasants then they were grateful. The King allowed peasants to live on his land but did charge them taxes. Sometimes the taxes would be giving part of the crop to the King or working for the King. This was more of a barter type system to pay for the taxes. The King was the most powerful ruler in that area. He controlled the laws and the people who lived around him. If they broke his rules they were often put to death or sent to the dungeons, which often resulted in death.
A good King would give presents to his people for all the work they did for him, but a mean and horrible King would be "black hearted" and not spread the great joy of the celebration. For example he might increase the taxes and bring despair to his people and his country. This would eventually lead to the unrest of his people.
The King was the maker of the laws that everyone had to obey because of his power. The King was thought to be a ruler of everyone and everything so he was also the grand ruler of the land that he owned. The peasants didn't have the weapons or the organization needed to take over the kingdom. They were also scared because the King was so powerful and if they made the King mad at them he would limit their food and shelter.