The History of Chivalry

The work offers a clear‑eyed look at the rise of medieval chivalry, tracing its ideals from the early crusading fervor to the later courtly codes that shaped European knighthood. Its author, keen to correct long‑standing errors, presents a balanced narrative that avoids romanticising the age while still revealing the allure that captured the imagination of contemporaries. Readers will find a concise yet thorough overview that respects the complexity of the period without overwhelming detail.

Drawing heavily on contemporary chroniclers, the book anchors its analysis in the writings of figures such as William of Tyre, Albert of Aix, and Fulcher of Chartres. By noting each source’s strengths and biases, it shows how historians have pieced together the lived experience of the First Crusade and the evolving notion of the knightly vocation. The result is an engaging guide that illuminates both the celebrated virtues and the gritty realities behind the legend of chivalry.