Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No.9, 2020

 

Knighthood and Medieval Warfare in Western Europe

(Abstract)

 

Ni Shiguang

 

The frequent warfare of medieval Western Europe was marked by continuous outward expansion. Its general features were closely related to the feudal system that provided the norms of knighthood. By encouraging knightly armies to become specialized military forces and participate in feudal warfare, the feudal system gave rise to a normalized support mechanism in politics, economy, social organizations, and thought and culture. The knights and knightly armies acting under this support mechanism eventually became the protagonists of the outward expansion of the frequent medieval wars of Western Europe. A comprehensive investigation of the general characteristics of these wars and their social causes will help us to better understand the characteristics of feudal society in Western Europe and the historical context of world hegemony since the beginning of modern times.