The Greatest Knight of All (1 Viewer)

K

katana

Command Sergeant Major
Joined
Oct 7, 2010
Messages
2,473
Bradely 30 had an interesting post on the FL thread about a great French Knight; Jean Le Mawcre De Boucicaut. He posted an extensive history of his exploits in the 15th Century; which was very interesting and has prompted me to start a thread as to who was the greatest Historical Knight in the period from 800 to1500. Mythical historical figures like Arthur Pendragon or Roland do not qualify as their exploits must be documented. Who do you think was the Greatest Knight and why?

My opinion is the greatest Knight of the period is; Rodrigo Diaz De Vivar, El Compador, The Cid.
1043-1099 Many books and documents attest to his skill and valor; both as a Knight and as a leader. Spains national hero!
 
If we are really speaking about knighthood this would be the way to measure it:

  1. Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches and thou shalt observe all its directions.
  2. Thou shalt defend the Church.
  3. Thou shalt respect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.
  4. Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born.
  5. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.
  6. Thou shalt make war against the infidel without cessation and without mercy.
  7. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.
  8. Thou shalt never lie, and shalt remain faithful to thy pledged word.
  9. Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone.
  10. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.

Or are we defining "greatest" by some other standard.
 
El Cid is the most well known to me but he may also have been a mercenary who fought sometimes with moslems against christians.
Mark
 
Bertrand du Guesclin is definitely in the running: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand_du_Guesclin Liberator of France from the dirty, nasty English

Also, 'the true and perfect knight," Geoffroi de Charny. Carrier of the Oriflamme and author of multiple books on chivalry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffroi_de_Charny

Jean Parisot de Valette https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Parisot_de_Valette The defeater of the Turks and saviour of Christendom

William Marshall

Jean le Maingre Boucicaut

And I have to have a Scot in my list, but rather than go with the two obvious William Wallace (I consider him more appropriate for a greatest freedom fighter list) or Robert de Brus (The Bruce, greatest king and master geo-political strategist) I will nominate the Black Douglas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Douglas,_Lord_of_Douglas

He is credited with coining the term "Brave Heart" as he carried Bruce's embalmed heart against the Moors at Teba. He was Bruce's cavalry commander and fought with him at many of the most important battles.
 
Does Charlemagne count? He fits the time line and he was the 'father of Europe'. -- Al
 
lancer said:
Does Charlemagne count? He fits the time line and he was the 'father of Europe'. -- Al
Click to expand...

I think so, as does Charles Martel, a much earlier Saviour of Christendom and Charlemagne's grandfather.

Oh yeah, Charles the Hammer Martel!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2024 XenForo Ltd.
Back
Top