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Victoria Adolphus Social Studies

Ariel Morales 9B
Maria Mateo Medival Chistian Europe
Allison Fernandez March --, 2021
MARIA MATEO
Life of a Noble Woman
The women's right to inherit was severely restricted under the
feudal system yet, women did sometimes inherit fiefs which are a
vassals source of income. Land was usually passed to the eldest
son in a family. A woman frequently did receive land as part of her
dowry. If her husband died before her, a woman gained her rights
to her land.

Like their brothers, the daughters of nobles were sent to friends or

relatives for training. Before her parents arranged her marriage, a
young woman was expected to know how to spin and how to
supervise servants. A few learned to read and write. In her role as
wife, a noblewoman was expected to bear many children and serve
to her husband.
VICTORIA ADOLPHUS
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Some medieval noblewomen, like Eleanor of
Aquitaine, took an active hand in politics. Eleanor
inherited vast lands in southwestern France.
Through two marriages, she became queen of
France and, later, queen of England. Although her
native tongue was Poitevin, she was taught to read
and speak Latin, was well versed in music and
literature and schooled in riding, hawking, and
hunting. Eleanor was extroverted, lively,
intelligent, and strong-willed. Some stories say
that she cultivated a Court of Love in France,
encouraging troubadours to sing songs of love and
knights to embrace chivalry and courtly love. For
more than 50 years, Eleanor was a leading force
in European affairs.
 L i f e o f a K n
h e i g h
T t
The Life of a Knight At the age of seven,
a boy slated to become a knight was sent
away to the castle of his father’s lord.
There, he learned to ride and fight. He
also learned to keep his armor and
weapons in good condition. The training
was difficult and discipline was strict.
Any laziness was punished with an angry
d o l p h u s
blow or even a severe beating.
i a A
With his training finished, the youth was
o r
named a knight, often in a public t

c
ceremony. An older knight or the boy's

i V
future lord said words like these: “In the
name of God, Saint Michael, and Saint
George, I dub thee knight; be brave and
loyal.” Then the young knight took his
place beside other warriors.
 PT
2
The Life of a Knight
Knights usually fought on horseback using
swords, axes, and lances, which were long
poles. They wore armor and carried shields for
protection. Other soldiers fought on foot using
daggers, spears, crossbows, and longbows.
As the fierce fighting of the early Middle
Ages lessened in the 1100s, tournaments, or
mock battles, came into fashion. A powerful
lord would invite knights from the area to a
tournament to enter contests of fighting
skill. At first, tournaments were as
dangerous as real battles. In time, they
acquired more ceremonies and ritual.
 Castles and War
During the Middle Ages
-Powerful lords fortified their homes to withstand attack. The strongholds gradually became larger and
grander. By the 1100s, monarchs and nobles owned sprawling stone castles with high walls, towers, and
drawbridges over wide moats.

-Castles were fortresses. Wars often centered on seizing castles that commanded strategic river crossings,
harbors, or mountain passes. Castle dwellers stored up food and water so they could withstand a long
siege. In time of war, peasants from nearby villages might take refuge within the castle walls.
selaroM
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Code of Chivalry
Chivalry required knights to Dictated that knights
be brave, loyal and true to protect the weak
their word.
Raised women to a new
DEZ
They had to fight fairly status
N

A
Its elaborated rules applied to Ideas of chivalry would

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nobles only, not commoners shape our modern idea for
love

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