Dr Richard Maltby - The Downfall Of Chivalry

Mon, Feb 3rd 2020 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Dr Richard will be speaking about the downfall of Chivalry

President Robin Taylor introduced our speaker Dr Richard Maltby. Richard advised that he had been a history teacher for 40 years and also a sailing instructor at Whitstable Sailing Club.

He told us that chivalry began following the Battle of Hastings, at which time the Norman army
had knights on horseback whilst Harold’s army was predominantly footmen. Knights and their
horses were very valuable and needed lots of looking after. This created an order.

The word chivalry is derived from cheval. Without chivalry war would be even more dirty, violent and
horrific. Chivalry could be viewed as a forerunner to the Geneva Convention.

Soldiers would be captured and then returned to their homelands on payment of a ransom.

The more valuable and notable the prisoner, the higher the ransom. It could be argued that an aristocratic code developed.

Richard amazed us with his talk, giving us history on the rituals of knighthood, the development of
castles such asthose at Dover, Windsor, Rochester and Bodiam. He gave us views on various kings
and Thomas a Beckett.

As the state becam more powerful knights took on more administrative roles and almost became
civil servants. Orders began such as CMG, KCMG AND GCMG (Call me God, Kindly Call me God and
God Calls me God !!!!)

Richard suggested chivalry is a force for good and engenders courage, strength, goodness,
kindness and mercy.

Sarah Ferris gave an excellent vote of thanks.

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