The French History Podcast The Flower of Chivalry with C.J. Adrien
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Sep 13, 2025 C.J. Adrien, a popular author and scholar specializing in historical fiction and chivalry, dives deep into the fascinating origins and evolution of the chivalric code. He discusses the cultural influences that shaped chivalry, spotlighting the striking contrast between warfare philosophies during the Battle of Poitiers. Adrien also explores the unexpected leadership dynamics of the First Crusade, the adaptation of chivalric ideals through literature, and the decline of chivalry marked by the innovations of the longbow in warfare.
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Stirrup Changed War Economics
- The stirrup and heavier warhorses made mounted, armored knights overwhelmingly dominant and expensive to field.
- That economic shift concentrated violence among wealthy landholders and transformed warfare into a privilege of the elite.
Tournaments Replaced Random Violence
- Landed gentry faced a surplus of armed younger sons who threatened social order by raiding and preying on civilians.
- Tournaments and ransom culture evolved to channel violence into profitable, controlled competitions among knights.
William Marshall's Tournament Rise
- William Marshall rose from being disowned to the most famous tournament knight by capturing enemy horses and ransoming foes.
- He parlayed tournament success into wealth, marriage, and long royal service.
