Information on the thesis

In the dissertation, on a broad analysis of sources and modern historiography, was analyzed the transformation of the English knighthood in the military and civil spheres of the XIII – the first half of the 15th century. The problem of dilemmas of knights’ ideology and practice are highlighted. The controversial aspects of chivalrous activity are analyzed in the framework of the problems of class, status, identities and structures of everyday life. The main idea of the work is focused around showing the uniqueness of the exemplar of the English knights, which was consisted in the specifics of feudalism as a push to change, in the rapid “demilitarization” and the transformation of knightly practices in accordance with the challenges of the time. The thesis is based on the opinion that the English knights were inalienable actors not only in the military, but also in the political, socio-economic and cultural spheres.

The necessity of characterizing knights in specific periods of time on various features (from activity and property wealth to functions and status) was determined. It is proved that the civilian component of the knight’s state in quantitative and qualitative aspects is equivalent to the military in the process of evolution (“demilitarization” from the dominant warrior to a socio-political figure). Definitions of the interpretation of chivalry as an ideology are outlined, which is a wider phenomenon in use than the actual environment of knights. In the thesis characterized the main “three postulates” of chivalry: military, aristocratic and religious. At the same time, it was found that chivalry contained many common features, but it was not a codified norms of conduct, and the degree of manifestations of knight ideals was a matter of personal choice.

The main factors in the formation of the knightly estate in England were investigated, which balanced between the knight’s feudal service, scutage and the economic-political situation in country from the second part of XII century. The transformation processes of the English knights during the XIII century were considered, when only fewer knights tied themselves to military service. From many point of view were determined economic and socio-political factors that led to a change in the status of knights and reduction in their numbers. The appropriate changes were bilateral: the monarchy did not see in this the real problem, and the potential knights could not (or not want) to receive a title.

The changes of the role of the English knights had been analized in the context of the Hundred Years War, which eventually turned from an elite military unit to important members of the army with many functions and responsibilities. The factor of “cult of chivalry” in the preparation and propaganda of war was estimated, where the knights themselves were models for loyalty and imitation. An analysis of the battles, tactics and mentality of the knights during the war was conducted, which made it clear that the English knights were pragmatic and mentally flexible in choosing strategies and cooperation with other types of troops –  it evidenced about the focus on team success in opposition to individual heroism.

On the example of the English version of the knights is proved the necessity of revising the concept of the “knighthood decline”. The urgency of the definition of the decline in England remains in the military aspect with certain chronological and semantic features. We do not observe in the general context that the “crisis” had a significant negative impact on the army or behavior patterns. Knights without problems were “demilitarized” and replaced the military service by civilian activities. The decrease in the number of knights had its rational causes, which allowed us to consider the “crisis” as an evolution without negative connotation.

English knights from the XIII century were active social and political players at the local and central levels with varying degrees of dependence. It is proved that the knightly title easing the way to power structures. The width of their professions from judges, jurors, collectors, coroners, “policemen”, sheriffs, heads of various commissions to diplomats, parliamentarians, and royal advisors allowe to suggests that knights are involved in all spheres of civil life. At the local level, we can positioned knights as a local elite with a conditional level of unity and community.

In the thesis was improved classification and highlighted the specifics of knight tournaments in England from XIII to the first half of the XV century. The processes of changes in the popularity and significance of melees and jousts, attempts at state and church regulation are researched. Attention is paid to tournaments as tools for approving knightly behavior patterns and dangerous business for all participants. It is indicated that the tournaments became less military and more social phenomenon, that is a feature of all knightly class.

Through the prism of time were determined the main aspects in the relations of knights and church institutions, their ideology and religious influences. In text were outlined categories and religious symbolism in which the Church combined piety and violence under the idea of ​​struggle against evil. The practical parts of knight piety, the problems of the inner world, and adherence to the Protestant currents in England were considered. It is noted that in the XIV-XV centuries the religious component in chivalry became more selective and yielded to progressive secular ideals.

In last chapter had been analyzed the landmark milestones in the structures of everyday life, namely, childhood and the education of potential knights. In particular, were noted on the importance of educational processes, upbringing, stages of life in which the level and place, and accordingly the quality, varied depending on the property and social status of the knight families. Attention is drawn to the problems marriage and family among knights, which are based around landed property with the problems of lignages and the concept of “partner marriage”, taking into account emotions, feelings, love. The myths have been refuted and have been assessed the economic postulates in the existence of knights and their title maintenance. It is approved that commodity and money relations, demilitarization launched the process when the knights were involved into the trade, selling goods from their estates, concluding financial documents, taking loans and doing a loan. The romantic ideals were questioned, according to which, knights considered trade an “unworthy” affair. It is noted that financial stability and expenditure of funds were a characteristic feature in the formation and maintenance of knightly identity.

It is determined that the identity, versatility and differentiation of knights in the structure of one stratum / class is impossible in a broad context. In this thesis was formed the idea of the existence of a situational code of conduct, which in combination with pragmatism and the ability to change, made the English knights a factor in the evolution of society, the army and the monarchy.

Key words: knighthood, chivalry, knight, England, Middle Age, The Hundred Years War, mentality, politics, Church, tournament, everyday life.