ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Chivalric romance

Hey kiddo, have you ever heard of knights and princesses and dragons? Well, chivalric romance is a special kind of story that tells a brave knight's adventures as he embarks on a dangerous quest to save a beautiful lady in distress.

In these stories, the knight isn't just a strong warrior but also a gentleman with good manners and morals. He follows a code of loyalty, bravery, honesty, and respect, which we call chivalry. Chivalric romance stories often feature the knight's struggles with his own heart and his devotion to his lady, who is always kind and virtuous.

You see kiddo, chivalric romance stories were popular in the Middle Ages, a long time ago when there were kings and castles. People loved these stories because they transported them to a magical world full of adventure, honor, and romance. They were a way to escape the harsh realities of life and dream of a better world.

Chivalric romance stories also had a lot of symbolism, like dragons that symbolize evil and knights' armor that symbolizes their strength and honor. These symbols added depth to the stories and made them more exciting and meaningful.

In summary, chivalric romance stories are exciting stories about brave knights who follow a code of honor and chivalry as they rescue fair maidens. They were written a long time ago and are still loved today for their timeless themes of courage, loyalty, and love.