Courtly love started in the time of King Arthur. His wife fell in love with a friend of his, the lovers met in secret. Most courtly lovers are also married or have other engagements which is the reason they must keep their love in secret. Another example is Romeo and Juliet. He appeared at her window in secret and spoke of the love he felt for her. Neither he or she cared of the other's last name and the duties that came with the names. Married noblewomen would give tockens, such as a jewel, to their lover and they would keep it while trying to proove his love.
Romeo stumbled apon Juliet's window and professed his love to her, even though she was a Capulet. His courtly love was greater than her name and her family.
by hopelessromantic1994 April 18, 2011
Romantic love meant to be of a purer and more intellectual nature in which a male, typically a knight, pursues a noble female in a chivalrous manner and accomplishes great deeds to woo her; the concept was often represented in medieval Western European art and literature. Not to be confused with Courtney Love, former lead vocalist of American rock band Hole and widow of Kurt Cobain.
The hangover of courtly love's idealisation of women has been both a help and a hindrance to feminism in the modern world.
by falsetokaiba September 11, 2019