Why Medieval Knights Went Completely Insane

The Psychological Toll of Medieval Warfare 00:00

Fighting in brutal hand-to-hand combat for hours, witnessing horrific injuries and death, likely had severe long-term psychological effects.

• Engaging in violent battles, such as those fought by knights, exposed them to intense trauma that had implications far beyond physical injuries.

• The medieval mind, despite being anatomically identical to ours today, had a much different spiritual and philosophical framework, complicating their experiences of trauma.

• Terms like PTSD were not coined until the late 20th century, yet the psychological distress incurred by medieval soldiers suggests that they may have faced similar issues even without the language to describe them.

Case Studies of Psychological Injury 01:00

Rigaut, an 11th-century French warrior, fell into deep depression after suffering a paralyzed arm, feeling that he had lost his purpose as a soldier.

• The story of Rigaut illustrates the profound identity crisis that could follow a soldier's injury, emphasizing how their roles were intertwined with their sense of self-worth.

• Upon returning home, Rigaut's inability to perform tasks he once loved, such as riding horses, signaled a deeper malaise related to his loss of identity in a violent society.

• Similarly, Onund, a Viking from the 9th century, was dubbed "Einarr Treeleg" after losing a leg, and despite physically adapting to his condition, he experienced significant mental turmoil due to his lost combat abilities.

Medieval Understanding of Mental Health 04:00

Bartholomaeus Anglicus, a 13th-century friar, had a surprisingly modern grasp of depression and recommended various treatment options.

• Anglicus emphasized the importance of comfort, support, and small, manageable tasks to aid in recovery from trauma, which mirrors contemporary therapeutic practices.

• His writings challenge the narrative that the Middle Ages were an era of ignorance regarding mental health, highlighting how historical perceptions align with modern psychology.

Moral Injury vs. PTSD: A Medieval Perspective 04:52

Moral injury differs from PTSD in that it is tied more to feelings of guilt and shame rather than fear and hypervigilance.

• PTSD describes a fear response, while moral injury encompasses feelings of betrayal or loss of meaning, which were crucial for knights fighting under a strict moral and ethical code.

• Many medieval soldiers’ identities were closely tied to their combat roles, so the experience of moral injury could lead to existential crises that paralleled or even exacerbated conditions like PTSD.

Jean de Joinville's Chronicles of the Seventh Crusade 06:40

Jean de Joinville's account of the Seventh Crusade reveals the brutal realities faced by soldiers, losing supplies and suffering devastating losses.

• Joinville's narrative provides valuable insight into the psychological impact of the Crusades, showcasing the disillusionment that arose from failed military endeavors.

• As the Crusade progressed, many soldiers faced not only physical hardships but also profound dilemmas regarding their beliefs and purpose, further illustrating the complex psychological landscapes of medieval warriors.

The Psychological Effects of Battle 08:04

"Jean narrates it as a mishmash of close calls and chaos, but a few moments stick in his brain."

• The narrative from Jean highlights the chaotic reality of battle, contrasting starkly with the heroic depictions often found in medieval poetry. Instead of glorifying the experience, he portrays it as an overwhelming blur where only specific images manage to crystallize in memory.

• He recalls, "While I was on foot with my knights, wounded...the good knights of his household hurled themselves into the midst of the Turks," illustrating the intensity and disorder of combat. The chaos surrounding him stands out, symbolizing the trauma that war inflicts.

• This account reflects how traumatized memory works; amidst the chaos, the brain focuses on singular, stable details, clinging to these anchors during psychological turmoil.

Reflection on Crusading Experience 09:28

"What were we even doing there? What was the point of all the suffering?"

• Jean's later reflection on the crusades reveals a profound inner conflict, questioning the purpose of the suffering he witnessed. Twenty years post-crusade, despite the enthusiasm he initially felt, he is left grappling with the futility of his experiences.

• His decision to not participate in King Louis's new crusade exemplifies a sense of disillusionment. The catastrophic outcome of the last crusade weighs heavy on his conscience, leading him to reject the call for further conflict.

• As he looks back, he recognizes a shared sentiment with modern combat veterans about the moral and existential dilemmas faced in war.

The Shift in Focus to Career Soldiers 10:44

"What about the guys who did this kind of thing constantly? What kind of psychological effect did it have on them?"

• Transitioning from Jean's personal narrative, the discussion shifts to consider the mental health effects on career soldiers who faced continuous warfare.

• This inquiry is crucial in understanding not only individual trauma but also the broader psychological impact on those seasoned in combat.

Geoffroi de Charny: A Case Study in Chivalry and Trauma 12:10

"He came up with this whole philosophical system to try and make sense of all the suffering."

• Geoffroi de Charny, influenced by his grandfather's stories, serves as a key figure in understanding the medieval warrior's mindset. He experienced warfare firsthand and sought to philosophically reconcile the suffering involved in battle.

• His position as the third son, inheriting nothing, led him to pursue glory through tournament fighting, which later evolved into real combat during the Hundred Years' War.

• Charny's account of warfare emphasizes not just glory but the harsh realities of pain, deprivation, and the death of comrades, serving as a cautionary guide for young knights.

Chivalry’s Paradox: Honor Through Suffering 14:50

"The worth of any deed is measured by how much it costs you to accomplish it."

• Charny's philosophy reflects a late medieval ethical framework that positions suffering as integral to the worth of one's actions. This idea places a high value on the psychological scars and physical injuries endured in battle.

• He articulates a grim acceptance of the traumatic aspects of warfare, encouraging warriors to push through feelings of alienation and terror, which he acknowledges as part of the combat experience.

• By framing damage and suffering as necessary components of identity, Charny’s work illustrates the complex relationship between military honor and personal trauma in the context of medieval chivalric values.

The Communal Impact of Violence in the Middle Ages 15:44

"Medieval people witnessed way more violence in their day-to-day lives than we do."

• This observation prompts exploration into how pervasive violence shaped mental health within medieval communities. The frequent exposure to suffering and trauma would have had profound implications on collective psychological well-being.

• Understanding these impacts requires analyzing historical records, such as the surviving documents from canonization inquests, which can shed light on how society processed grief, loss, and the normalization of violence.

Canonization Inquest and Community Trauma 16:00

"The witnesses in the inquest had all survived the Black Death, mercenary invasions, and civil war in a 20-year window between 1343 and 1363."

• In a canonization inquest held in Provence, France, several witnesses testified about Countess Delphine de Puymichel, who was believed to have had a mystical connection to God.

• The testimonies reflected a community deeply impacted by multiple traumas, highlighting how conflict and violence resulted in emotional wounds requiring different forms of healing beyond physical ailments.

• This period of turmoil led individuals from various social standings, including merchants, soldiers, and local clergy, to articulate that their experiences of war left lasting scars.

Moral Injury and Medieval Honor 16:50

"Ferrarius of Cucuron is ordered to lead his troops in an attempt to retake the walled town of Cucuron from a mercenary company."

• An example of moral injury is illustrated through Ferrarius, a local lord who faced anxiety and shame about the prospect of going into battle.

• His fear stemmed from a strict honor code, forcing him to feel that retreat would bring unbearable shame, whereas fighting could lead to killing, which was viewed as a wound to the soul.

• Ferrarius uniquely illustrates the conflict between societal expectations and personal ethics, as he was torn between the need to uphold his honor and the fear of death.

Divine Intervention and Personal Healing 18:31

"Delphine makes him a promise that he won't kill anyone and she'll somehow intercede directly with God on his behalf."

• Ferrarius sought guidance from Delphine, who promised divine intervention to spare him from moral injury in battle.

• When two of his horses went lame before the fight, this seemingly miraculous event prevented him from engaging in combat while preserving his honor and soul.

• This incident demonstrates the reliance on spiritual belief systems for coping with the psychological burdens of warfare.

Understanding Combat Trauma in the Medieval Context 20:20

"Even Geoffroi de Charny mentions that knights will have to deal with 'being beset by great terrors' when they come home from war."

• The recognition of combat trauma, including PTSD-like symptoms, existed in the Middle Ages; knights were conscious of their psychological struggles after returning from battle.

• The video suggests that modern approaches to treating combat trauma have often focused narrowly on medical solutions, neglecting the importance of addressing moral wounds and social reintegration.

• The medieval understanding of community support, confession, and narrative as part of healing processes may inform contemporary views on dealing with psychological trauma.