The History of Chivalry

Noble knights, beautiful ladies in luxurious garments, brave and devoted squires — these images are familiar to us from childhood thanks to books and films. But what were the knights of medieval Europe really like, without the romantic embellishment? Together with this book, we will venture into a real medieval castle and learn not only about chivalrous feats but also about more realistic, everyday aspects of their lives. For instance, about the costs of maintaining a castle, acquiring armor and weapons. How did real knights spend their time between exploits — and how often did they even have to mount their horses? We will also discover how chivalric ethics differed from the idealized codes of honor described in chivalric romances. The origins and flourishing of chivalry, its influence on social and cultural processes, legendary battles and feats — the book reveals to you an exciting panorama of European history, from the times of King Arthur to the era of Cervantes and his Don Quixote. The author of this book is the French novelist and historian Juste-Jean Étienne Rua (1794–1871). His work became exceedingly popular in Europe during the time of the Pre-Raphaelites and the fashion for historical novels. Today, this legendary book returns with new commentary and unique illustrations.