Although Ganelon was eventually hanged, he was neither found guilty by the “court” nor was he really on trial for leading Roland to his death. In fact he freely admits to plotting against Roland; however, he does attempt to claim innocence by declaring he did not betray the king and, by extension, the kingdom. This shows that feuds or killing others for revenge is not a crime and only family members are expected to take action, which embodies the concept of taking the law into your own hands. Moreover, the king makes it clear he wants Ganelon to be hanged, but, because he was found innocent by vote, this incident shows that king or rulers have limited power in the justice system. While the king’s wish fails to persuade the majority, Thierry chooses to take the king’s side and votes for Ganelon’s haning. More importantly, Thierry’s dissension seems to be enough to do so, which is demonstrated by Pinabel challenging Thierry to combat to prove Ganelon’s innocence. This turn of events shows that, while crimes are judged by a council, the verdict can always be contested and force, not reason, can be used. Because force is the deciding factor, medieval justice is shown to focus around strength of arms, and not reason. Lastly, Ganelon's trial as a whole shows that medieval justice is less about laws and justice and more about practicality, because the stronger person, the survivor, will be more useful in battle than the weaker person who was defeated. This claim is further strengthened by the council declaring Ganelon innocent due to their belief no one would be willing to fight Pinnabel to prove Ganelon guilty, which shows they did not wish to waste time with a pointless verdict.

Reading Assignments

Friday: William of Poitiers, Deeds of William and The Two Speeches of Pope Urban, both in the reader
Monday: Anselm of Bec, Prosologion: prologue, 1-5; Guanilo's reply and Anselm's response.

Blog Assignment 6

How does the author's portrayal of heroism in the Song of Roland compare to some of our earlier texts like Beowulf?

Or

What might the description of Ganelon's trial tell us about concepts of medieval justice?

You can answer one of these questions OR you can answer both questions and get credit for two blogs for those of you who have been naughty and not blogged as much as you should have. Remember, these count for 10% of your overall class grade!!!

Tapestry in Motion

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1rcbn_the-bayeux-tapestry

Important Note on Readings!!!

The Life of King William is in the course reader.

Readings for this week

Wednesday: Song of Roland
Friday: William of Poitiers, Life of King William

Paper- Extremely Rough Assembly

NOTE: I have my quotes all pulled and ready, I just haven’t had time to put them in yet. Also this is an extremely rough assembly, certainly a far cry from any finished product. However I think you can see a clear thesis and the points that I am getting across. Thanks for reading if you decide to read it.

Thesis: In the Barbarian West, evil is that which doesn't fit into their society.

In the Barbarian West, evil was not defined as the manifestation of what was bad or malignant but rather as the unfamiliar or unchristian. Looking through The History of the Franks, The Life of Cuthbert, and Beowulf a pattern of evil emerges more like a social trend and less like some far reaching human concept.
NOTE: Rewrite thesis so the trends so evident in Gregory and Cuthbert lead up to how Beowulf uses these for heightened drama.

The concept of violence is reminiscent of how NBA General Managers used to deal with the Foreign Prospect. Given their basketball frame of reference, the multi-faceted game of the Europeans was not what they understood a good basketball player to be. This put an obstacle in the path of many NBA-bound players forcing them to work harder to find their place. It was not until increased Olympic success and the emergence of true foreign superstars that the NBA finally embraced the foreigner.

Begin this with the analogy that evil is not violence. That is of the utmost importance.

In these texts, a person’s deeds are partially defined by how they fit into the Author’s society. Through the venerated subjects of Gregory, he manages to describe the violent exploits of __________ with grace and no amounts of disgust. INSERT QUOTE* This description suggests that ______ is not acting on some violent urge but keeping the society in check. These additional outbursts seem excused by the lack of a governing force in the Frankish World. It is easy to imagine Gregory understanding the circumstances at work and excusing his violent subjects from damnation.
Though Gregory appears wont to excuse the occasional crime in the name of order or the lord (Lord-er?), he is quick to portray unfamiliar violence as the outbursts of barbarians. Nowhere is this clearer than in his depiction of the Arians. INSERT QUOTE AND ADDITIONAL INSIGHT. 2-3 sentences.
Also: Explain how murder seems excused when it is done for Political purposes.
Note: Explain how their understanding of violence allowed them to find a place for it in their society. Try to make the

ALSO: In previous two paragraphs, strengthen the argument of violence as a cultural institution. Cast it as say, I don’t know Ethnocentric.
OUTLINE:
The value of Chistianity from a broader perspective
Note how it is always explained when someone is unchristian.
The exploits and glorification of Cuthbert explained and compared to how Gregory treats the Imposters and the necromantic ways of others. Note how the only real difference how one is doing it for their own benefit and how the other is supposedly doing it for the glorification of god.

As Gregory begins The History with a staunch declaration of his faith, it should come as no surprise that he utilizes the concept of “evil” to protect his beliefs.

Desiderius “he set out to deceive them by the false art of Necromancy, rather than to cure them by God’s grace.” 483 A healer just like Cuthbert, however similar the methodology, the portrayals are quite different.

Beowulf is a perfect example of what is considered acceptable. Thing beyond the norm enters and causes a disturbance, serving an analogous purpose in the process, of course it must be killed.
Beowulf Quote: Wise sir, do not grieve. It is always better
to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning.