1. Legends and Chivalry

2. What is a Legend? • A story or set of stories that are considered fiction • Handed down by tradition (usually starts out spoken, then written) • Usually concentrates on a specific person or group of people from a certain time period

3. Truth in Legends • Popular culture likes to look at legends as historical and true • Have aspects that make the story seem true: • Characters in the story that really existed • Actual historical events • Realistic settings – could actually even be a true place The Major Oak, located in Sherwood Forest (Nottinghamshire, England), thought to be Robin Hood’s hideout.

4. Common Examples of Legends • Helen of Troy and the Trojan War • El Dorado (and the various adventures to find it) • Robin Hood and his Merry Men • King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table From Dreamworks’ The Road to El Dorado (2000) The Trojan Horse from the myth of the Trojan War

5. What is Chivalry? • The code of conduct or customs used by medieval knights • Concentrates on the ideals of knightly virtues, honor, and courtly love

6. Duty to Countrymen • Involves virtues like: • Mercy • Courage • Valor • Fairness • Protection of the weak • Being a servant to his lord or king • Giving one’s life for another’s

7. Duty to God • Includes: • Being faithful to God and the church • Protecting the innocent • Being a champion of good over evil • Being generous • Following God over his lord or king

8. Duty to Women • Involves the idea of courtly love • Includes: • Serving your lady first, then other ladies • Being gentle to all ladies • Being gracious to all ladies