Chivalry Today's Medieval Arms and Armor, and The Code of Chivalry, Distance Learning Classroom Presentation

Welcome, and thank you for taking part in Chivalry Today's Distance Learning Classroom Presentation. In this 25-minute video, you're going to see three demonstrations of medieval sword fighting, based on the research we've done into the fighting and dueling techniques taught throughout Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries. These "bouts" are not staged or prearranged, like a sword fight scene you'd see as part of a movie, or in a live theatrical production. Instead, like a sporting event, each of the fighters in armor is trying to score points (or hits) in order to win each match. Fighters are also expected to treat each other respectfully, and to adhere to the rules of the game. The swords used, while not sharp, are, in fact, steel weapons that are very dangerous if not used properly. The fighters in these videos have years' of training in the historical techniques of combat, and the armor they are wearing is made specifically to protect them from injury in this type of sword-fighting activity.

In between the sword fighting videos, our program director and head instructor, Scott Farrell, will give you some explanation of what you're seeing, how real armor works, and what the code of chivalry means, both in medieval history, and in today's world.

We hope you enjoy our video, and that this presentation helps you broaden your understanding of medieval and Renaissance history in your studies.

After you've watched the video, we would like you to answer the following questions:

Training In Medieval Sword Fighting

• How did the people fighting in these videos learn about the techniques of medieval sword combat? 
• Who wrote the fighting manuals that Scott talks about in his introduction to the videos, and what was their job in the Middle Ages?
• When watching the first video, you'll hear the announcer mention two "styles" or "traditions" of historical sword fighting. What are the two geographical areas (places on a map) that he mentions when talking about these traditions?

Knights' Arms and Armor

• What part of the sword is the most dangerous when fighting in armor?
• Which of these techniques is not mentioned by Scott as an effective way of using a sword in medieval combat:
  • Turning it into a hammer by holding the blade.
  • Using it to hook and opponents' knee and pull them to the ground.
  • Throwing the sword like a javelin.
• In the three fighting videos you saw, the fighters used a total of three different weapons in their bouts. Can you name those three weapons? (Hint: In the second video, Loreen used one of the three when she dropped her sword as the fighters were standing close together.)
• Did women fight in armor in the Middle Ages, and was it common for them to do so?

The Code of Chivalry

• What is "chivalry"? Does it have anything to do with good manners, or treating women politely?
  
• How does chivalry apply to soldiers today? Are there rules of chivalry in war? Can you think of a "rule" of war that is observed today? (Hint: Scott mentions two "war rules" in his explanation.)
• Describe something you saw the fighters doing in one, or all of these videos that you would call a "show of chivalry."

YOUR ASSIGNMENT: ASK US ANYTHING (MEDIEVAL)

Now that you’ve watched the video and answered the provided questions, we’d like you to submit a question for Chivalry Today’s experts to answer! Each student is required to submit a question in order to fully complete your participation in this assignment. (You may be marked as “incomplete” by your teacher if you don’t submit your own question.) You can submit your “Ask Us Anything” question by using this link to go to our Q&A form. The best, and most interesting questions will be chosen for in-class discussion during our online assembly. (Your teacher will tell you the date and time for this assembly.) We look forward to answering your questions, and thank you for taking the time to enjoy our program.