"The Function of Knighthood" by John of Salisbury
Twelfth Century
"But what is the office of the duly ordained soldiery? To defend the Church, to assail infidelity, to venerate the priesthood, to protect the poor
from injuries, to pacify the province, to pour out their blood for their brothers (as the formula of the oath instructs them), and, if need be, to lay
down their lives. The high praises of God are in their throat, and two-edged swords are in their hands to execute punishment on the nations and rebuke upon the peoples and to bind their kings in chains and their nobles in links of
iron. But to what end? To the end that they may serve madness, vanity, avarice,
or their own private self will? By no means. Rather to the end that they may execute the judgement that is committed to them to execute; wherein each follows not his own will but the deliberate decision of God, the angels, and
men, in accordance with equity and the public utility.... For soldiers that do these things are "saints," and are more loyal to their prince in proportion as they more zealously keep the faith of God; and they advance the more successfully the honour of their own valour as they seek the more faithfully in all things the glory of God."
Twelfth Century
"But what is the office of the duly ordained soldiery? To defend the Church, to assail infidelity, to venerate the priesthood, to protect the poor
from injuries, to pacify the province, to pour out their blood for their brothers (as the formula of the oath instructs them), and, if need be, to lay
down their lives. The high praises of God are in their throat, and two-edged swords are in their hands to execute punishment on the nations and rebuke upon the peoples and to bind their kings in chains and their nobles in links of
iron. But to what end? To the end that they may serve madness, vanity, avarice,
or their own private self will? By no means. Rather to the end that they may execute the judgement that is committed to them to execute; wherein each follows not his own will but the deliberate decision of God, the angels, and
men, in accordance with equity and the public utility.... For soldiers that do these things are "saints," and are more loyal to their prince in proportion as they more zealously keep the faith of God; and they advance the more successfully the honour of their own valour as they seek the more faithfully in all things the glory of God."
Readings for this week (One doesn't have to read all of the selections to participate in the discussions. Check out the different versions, read a few lines of each to get the flavor.)
CLICK ON TITLE TO LINK WITH READINGS
Selections from:
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Read as much of the Modern Translation as you wish.
Check out the Original language, in the Tolkien version.
Arthur....
Stanzaic Morte Arthure Read just a bit for taste. This will be more familiar to modern readers, romantic versus historical (Alliterative).
Alliterative Morte Arthure, lines 1 - 25 and 693 - 1221 (original English, verse). Pay attention to the language and use.
Chretien de Trois - Lancelot. Trois is a precursor to the above versions, late twelfth century.
Morte de Arthure - Book 16 (Modern translation prose) - This is by Thomas Malory - died 1471. His stories are based on the original stanzaic and alliterative versions. Read a little of this if you have time and cannot get enough of Arthur. Malory's work is the source for Tennyson, Twain, Spenser and Milton.
CLICK ON TITLE TO LINK WITH READINGS
Selections from:
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Read as much of the Modern Translation as you wish.
Check out the Original language, in the Tolkien version.
Arthur....
Stanzaic Morte Arthure Read just a bit for taste. This will be more familiar to modern readers, romantic versus historical (Alliterative).
Alliterative Morte Arthure, lines 1 - 25 and 693 - 1221 (original English, verse). Pay attention to the language and use.
Chretien de Trois - Lancelot. Trois is a precursor to the above versions, late twelfth century.
Morte de Arthure - Book 16 (Modern translation prose) - This is by Thomas Malory - died 1471. His stories are based on the original stanzaic and alliterative versions. Read a little of this if you have time and cannot get enough of Arthur. Malory's work is the source for Tennyson, Twain, Spenser and Milton.