while reading for class tomorrow, i stumbled across the following segment, and found it extremely funny. it shows the extent that the ideas of chivalry and honor affected peoples' thinking.
One of Duke Louis' exploits shows particularly clearly the nature of much of this warfare. He was operating on the borders of Poitou at the head of strong company, almost a small army, consisting largely of his own retainers and vassals. He decided to attack a castle that was held for the Black Prince by an English garrison commanded by a squire. The duke first attempted to take the place by assault, but it was too strong and too well defended. He then settled down to mining. The garrison soon guessed what was going on and started a countermine. One day as the duke was sitting in his tent, one of his men came to tell him that the two mines had met. He immediately ordered his herald to inquire whether any noble knight in the castle would like to meet a noble French knight in the mine. The captain replied that the garrison lacked knights, but a noble squire would be delighted to fight in the mine. This satisfied the duke, and arming himself from head to foot, he descended into the mine to meet the English captain. The mine was so low and narrow that one could neither raise a weapon nor move one's arms far from one's sides. Fighting consisted of the two men poking their swords at one another. As it was impossible for knights in armor to hurt each other in this way, it was a thoroughly enjoyable affair. The duke got so excited that he shouted his war cry, and the squire recognized it and asked if he were really fighting the duke of Bourbon. When he learned what a great honor had been done him by being allowed to fight so noble a prince, he offered to surrender the castle if Bourbon would dub him a knight. The duke agreed but asked that the surrender be put off till the next day. It would be selfish of them to deny their followers the pleasure of fighting in the mine. So all that day, two by two, French and English poked at each other in the mine. Next morning the castle surrendered, the duke dubbed the squire, they exchanged gifts,and everyone went his way.
(from Western Europe in the Middle Ages: 300-1475, by Brian Teirney, pp. 509-510)
how awesome is that?
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