These quotes demonstrate that Beowulf has plenty of courage and is worthy of defeating these monsters. It also mentions, “However it occurred, my sword had killed nine sea-monsters”. The author writes, “They had seen me boltered in the blood of enemies when I battled and bound five beasts, raided a troll-nest and in the night-sea slaughtered sea-brutes”. In order for Beowulf to prove his integrity and bravery to Hrothgar and his people who are Danes, he must slay Grendel who is terrorizing them and his mother. In the epic poem, Beowulf is from the tribe Geats and is known as the great monster slayer. Although, these are two completely different works of literature they share common beliefs of representing their codes of chivalry, which shapes who they become as characters. In the poem, the Green Knight and Sir Gawain use these codes to shape their actions and values. These three chivalry codes play a significant part in who the characters will become in the poem. Some of these driving forces found in the codes of chivalry include courage, honesty, and accepting their true fate. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the characters are influenced by chivalry codes as well. During the medieval period, chivalry was used in many works of literature. Throughout the poem, there are many examples of the main character, Beowulf, representing these codes. Beowulf represents all of those honorable codes that make up who he is while protecting Hrothgar and his people in the epic poem Beowulf. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight characters honored similar codes. Characters within the poem Beowulf valued bravery, strength, loyalty, and beliefs. This dissertation discusses both of the lives of these great knights while comparing the differences of the late Twelfth and early Fifteenth Centuries.Characters in the poems, Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, all believed in most of the honorable codes of chivalry. However, both were great warriors and leaders of men who extended their wealth. Richard was more educated and learned of the ways of the chivalric culture than Marshal due to it's evolution. Both of these knights lived in two different eras. Upon his return he loyally served Henry V in France and became the lieutenant of Calais. He was present at the battle of Shrewsbury (1403) and ventured on a pilgrimage (similar to Marshal). Like Marshal, Richard proved himself on the battlefield. However, upon Henry Bolingbroke (future Henry IV) usurping the crown from Richard in 1399, Thomas Beauchamp found himself in royal favour. His father was part of the Lord's Appellant which rebelled against Richard II (1387) and from this the Beauchamp family lost all of their land. Richard Beauchamp on the other hand was born into a noble family. However, upon his death he held the prestigious earldom of Pembrokeshire, lands in Ireland as well as being the Marshal of England during Henry III's infancy. When he was knighted before the battle of Drincourt (1167) he held no land. He lived the life of a knight who had to fight for his living and propelled himself through the ranks of the aristocracy due to his achievements on both the battlefield and the tournament. By comparing two knights of two different eras, can we record the evolution of chivalry? William Marshal (c.1147-1217) lived during the age in which chivalry was mid-way through it evolution.

Knights chivalry code jousting