[Discuss] All realms feudal monarchies?

[John P. Murphy]

On Feb 6, 2008, at 9:43 AM, Märt Reose wrote:

> Alexander Keul wrote:
>   little cavalry support.
>
>> The ideal for a medieval European noble was a man who would quote
>> poetry to the ladies at night, manage their estates during the day  
>> and lead
>> their men to war during the campaign season. The latter was by far  
>> the most
>> glorious task, hence the expression "to live for war".
>>
>> Alex
>>
>
> poetry? That was on the times of "court nobles" it all depends on the
> time frame. You cant say that nobles from the year 1000 did quote
> poetry. There are so many people who think that nobles were chivalric
> and good people. Newsflash, they weren`t.

They certainly did quote poetry -- ever hear of the Beowulf?  The  
Canterbury Tales?  Romantic poetry might not have been the thing for  
your knights in the field, but court nobles probably knew enough to  
charm the ladies.  (For exactly the same reasons that college guys  
learn to play the guitar today)

Besides, my understanding is that this game isn't fixed in time or  
location.  Go six hundred years earlier and a number of poetic forms  
were being invented and perfected.  Six hundred years later and  
you've got Shakespeare's sonnets.

They may not have actually *been* chivalric and good, but they liked  
to think of themselves as honorable and holy.

John


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