This avoided a forced marriage by a ward
should the parents die.
Most earldoms and many baronages came into the royal house by
escheat or marriage. The royal house employed many people. The
barons developed a class consciousness of aristocracy and became
leaders of society. Many men, no matter of whom they held land,
sought knighthood. The king granted knighthood by placing his
sword on the head of able-bodied and moral candidates who swore an
oath of loyalty to the king and to defend "all ladies,
gentlewomen, widows and orphans" and to "shun no adventure of your
person in any war wherein you should happen to be". A code of
knightly chivalry became recognized, such as telling the truth and
setting wrongs right. About half of the knights were literate. In
1278, the king issued a writ ordering all free-holders who held
land of the value of at least 400s. to receive knighthood at the
King's hands.
At the royal house and other great houses gentlemanly jousting
competitions, with well-refined and specific rules, took the place
of violent tournaments with general rules. Edward forbade
tournaments at which there was danger of a "melee". At these
knights competed for the affection of ladies by jousting with each
other while the ladies watched. Courtly romances were common. If a
man convinced a lady to marry him, the marriage ceremony took
place in church, with feasting and dancing afterwards.
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