Analysis Of Courtly Courtesy In The High Middle Ages In Western Europe

Courtly courtesy is one representation of civilization and progress in Medieval Europe, it brewed and developed in noble court. Knights, as the main body of the court life, are the most important representatives and practitioners of courtly courtesy. Courtly courtesy is further developing with political stability and economic prosperity in the High Middle Ages. Based on the environment of the High Middle Ages, I attempt to discuss the content, performances and reasons for the development of courtly courtesy, the article is divided into three parts: The first part describes the content and specific performances of courtly courtesy.Adapting to the changes of people's minds, the content of courtesy extended and gradually included the nobility, elegance, language, kindness, etc. In addition, courtesy is more and more respected by the upper class in the dress and diet, tournament, courtly love, etc.The second part discusses the reasons for the development of courtly courtesy. With the changes of social environment, courtesy becomes the requirement of the rulers, and the increase of social wealthy provides a material basis for courtesy development. The ladies are adored by the knights and they gave instructions to them, which impulse the development of courtesy. Knights as the main practitioners of courtesy, the raise of their own social status and the changes of their environment play a decisive role in courtesy development. Christian Church's supports and instructions are also important to the development of courtesy.The third part analyzes the impact of courtly courtesy. Courtesy is a product of social development and progress, in turn, it also can promote the development of society. Courtesy provides a set of moral values and codes of conduct which stabilize the social order, promote the progress of people's ideas, and improve the women's social status, all these promoted the social development and civilization, and have far-reaching impact on future generations. Undeniably, courtesy also has negative influence, such as it has great class nature and limitations, encourages the social competition, extravagance and waste, to some extent, courtesy affects and weakens the combat spiritual and effectiveness of the knights.