About the book: 2012 / This book is the final work of a world-famous scientist, a leading French medievalist, professor of medieval history at the Sorbonne University. head of research at the Practical School of Higher Sciences, known for his scientific developments in the field of historical anthropology. The research he undertook allowed us to take a fresh look at the mechanisms governing medieval society and to highlight its specific features that had eluded the attention of historians who had previously dealt with this issue. It is no coincidence that in the French press the results of Dominique Barthelemy’s research are compared with the breakthrough made by the middle of the 20th century by Marc Bloch. The book on knighthood by Dominique Barthelemy bears little resemblance to traditional studies of this phenomenon of medieval Europe and covers a period far beyond the emergence and subsequent existence of the knightly class. The French historian considers knighthood not only as a specific military caste that appeared in the context of political changes in the 10th-11th centuries, but as a cultural phenomenon that had a decisive influence on the formation of the civilization of the Western European Middle Ages. Dominique Barthelemy believes that chivalry was a kind of “pillar” of medieval society, having absorbed the basic values ​​and attitudes of that era. Based on authentic sources, he comprehensively analyzes different aspects of the life of this class. The scientist draws attention both to the cultural achievements of chivalry, and to the immoral and ugly aspects of his life: among which is the disposition towards military conflicts, or contempt for work. A special place in the book is occupied by the chapter on the so-called “chivalrous” culture and literature, which became a kind of bridge to the literature of the New Age. The book will be a good gift for all students of French history and literature, as well as for all those interested in knights and chivalry as a cultural phenomenon.