Luther’s protest crystallised resentments that had been brewing for decades and there was much about his Reformation that was profoundly medieval. Moreover, the German Reformation came of age alongside the printing press. Luther’s protest against the practices of the Catholic Church led to the splintering of western Christendom, to more than a century of religious warfare and, via some very circuitous routes, to the rise of religious toleration. ‘Humanist scholars certainly thought themselves to be living in a new age’īridget Heal, Professor of Early Modern History at the University of St AndrewsĪs a historian of Reformation Germany, I’m duty bound to say that the medieval period ended on 31 October 1517, the day on which Martin Luther supposedly nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg. Maybe this moment is echoed in the finale of A Knight’s Tale, when the Black Prince reveals himself to the crowd to knight William Thatcher.‘The medieval persists’: stained glass depicting two minstrels c.1885, attributed to James Egan, a former employee of William Morris. When they revealed themselves, the crowd went wild. In celebration of the marriage of John of Gaunt to Blanche of Lancaster in 1359, Edward III and his sons disguised themselves and fought in a tournament at Smithfield, called the Merchant’s Fair. Part of central London, Smithfield was once a patch of green land outside of the city walls. The jousts that are a strong feature within the movie were a form of entertainment in the 14th century, often held at Smithfield. The historical comedy introduces figures such as the Black Prince, who is presented as handsome and honourable, able to see the worth in a poor but ambitious young man, William Thatcher (Ledger). The pioneer of this was Geoffrey Chaucer, whose Knight’s Tale went on to inspire the 2001 fictional feature film of the same name starring Heath Ledger, in which Paul Bettany plays a comic version of Geoffrey Chaucer. The 14th-century saw the popularising of romantic verse, but also the emergence of the English language in literature. 8 things you (probably) didn’t know about King Arthur.Good drama, bad history: 11 historically inaccurate films you need to watch. Disney history: how has the corporation shaped our perception of the past?.The most famous versions are by the Grimm Brothers in 1812 and more recently, Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, released in 1959. The story has been adapted over hundreds of years but the romance and chivalric undertone endures. She finds a ring when she wakes and realises that Troylus is the father of her child and they eventually marry. When he returns, she is still asleep, but he impregnates her anyway and she later has a baby. To prove himself worthy of her, Zellandine’s father sends Troylus on a series of tasks and while he is gone, Zellandine falls into an enchanted sleep. The original story is of a princess named Zellandine who falls in love with a knight named Troylus. Between 1330–40, the story of Sleeping Beauty emerged from the romantic narrative Perceforest, which describes the fictional origin of Great Britain. King Arthur is not the only popular fictional character that found its roots in the Middle Ages. (Photo by Guildhall Library & Art Gallery/Heritage Images/Getty Images) The chivalrous image of King Arthur that we are so familiar with today is in part influenced by Edward III.Ī depiction of Edward III wearing robes, a crown placed over a hat and the badge of the Order of the Garter, a chivalric order of knights that still exists today. In doing so, he gained the support of his people in the war against the French. He refashioned himself as a descendant of Arthur and re-invigorated the concept of chivalry. Edward’s use of propaganda was ultimately a huge success. Arthur was his poster boy he even created a Round Table at Windsor Castle. In mock battles, jousts and tournaments, Edward III popularised and glamourised warfare. During the Hundred Years’ War, Edward III used the legendary king’s popularity to his advantage and Arthur became the inspiration for the Order of the Garter, a chivalric order of knights that still exists today. From the pagesof Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur in 1485, to Guy Ritchie’s 2018 blockbuster movie Arthur has captured audiences for centuries. The most famous of these is the legendary King Arthur, who has appeared throughout history as the chivalrous hero of England. War is the cornerstone of much historical fantasy fiction and many iconic fictional characters were born amidst fire and blood.
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