A cavalaria na baixa idade média

declínio ou transformação?

Abstract

Chivalry is a complex and multifaceted medieval institution, represented by the aristocratic warrior on horseback, but not limited to him, having social, cultural and political elements. Its raison d'être, however, was in war and in the deeds of arms, the reason why the military changes of the 14th century, when cavalry started to be repeatedly challenged by infantrymen, led several historians to consider it a landmark of its decline. The thesis of the decline of Chivalry in the Late Middle Ages was established with the strength of a paradigm throughout the 20th century, until a revisionist current began to gain momentum from the mid-1970s on, arguing that Chivalry had not declined, it had only modified itself, and that it would remain relevant even after the 15th century. In this article, centered on the analysis of Chivalry in the kingdoms of France and England, we will examine the different historiographic strands, in addition to selected document sources, and offer our contribution to the debate.