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Chanson de Chivalry

Battle of Roncevaux, Song of Roland

The Chason de geste and valiant songs like it have all but been forgotten. There is a more ancient chivalry than the one in which most folk are familiar with. Originally chivalry was exclusively between men at arms. Knights would be raised together and they would develop so close a bond that they became brothers. Before chivalry was about wooing faire ladies and hosting tournies, it was about prowess on the real battlefield. The knights of old yore did not pretend to be mighty in a arena for amusement, they fought to defend their liege lord and country. This was in a time when feudalism still reigned and lords and kings held sway over their men to such an extent that knights would rather die then bring shame to their kin and country. Out of this old chivalry comes a tale that is as timeless as King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table. It too contains a mighty king named Charlemagne and his valiant knights known as the Peers or Paladins. Chief among these great chevaliers is Charlemagne's own nephew Roland, a sort of Gawain. At this point and time Charlmagne is liberating Spain from the Turks or Paynims. Roland is the King's champion. He in all his zeal reclaims territories and cities in the French Monarch's name.

This brash youth in his pride is undone. He vexes Ganelon, a medieval Judas, who decides to betray him and the french to the leader of the Saracens, Marsilion. Thus a bait and trap is made and Roland along with his best friend Oliver and the Rearguard are slain at Ronceavaux. The tale does not end with the death of Roland. It continues with Charlemagne seeking revenge (a convention of the time) for his nephew. The Christian king battles Baligant, the emir of the Muslims. Charlmagne after doing hot battle with the Saracen Sire triumphs in Christ's name and vengence is done. The Song of Roland is beautifully written, with a great rhyme scheme that even rivals Chaucer. It is a shame it is not often taught in literature. It really offers a glimpse at the Early Middle Ages and a vastly different kind of chivalry known today as Warrior chivalry.

Chivalry can be broken into three threads: warrior, religious, and courtly love. Warrior chivalry is what I've already described. It is a code kept between knights and their king or lord. It focus on prowess in battle. The second is religious chivalry which was most prevalent during the Crusades. It instead of binding a man to his liege lord, bound a man to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It was a code that promoted piety. Finally courtly love chivalry or romantic chivalry is the most renowned and most recognizable form of chivalry. Romantic chivalry had a knight bind himself to a lady, whom he would worship, defend, and love.

Courtly love chivalry is probably the most well known because it's featured in the most famous epics and poems of Arthurian Legend. Warrior chivalry which would primarily appeal to men is in tales like Beowulf and the Song of Roland. Religious chivalry is more difficult to find in verse. In fact, it tends to be in histories rather than legends. However, there is an exceptions like the Chanson d'Antioch and the Vulgate Cycle. The Chanson d'Antioch recounts the conquests of the First Crusade in verse. The Vulgate Cycle retells the Knights of the Grail Legends and features religious chivalry best in Le Sainte de Graal or The Quest of the Holy Grail.

Chivalry survives in a faint melody today. A few men, including myself have endeavored to resurrect the ancient codes of knightly conduct and bring them into this dreary world. More then ever we need men who will stand firm in character and fight the good fight against corruption. Our hope is to create a remnant of knights who like Don Quixote seek to reach that "unreachable star."

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