In the Late Middle Ages, new methods of warfare – such as the introduction of the culverin as an anti-personnel, gunpowder-fired weapon – began to render classical knights in armour obsolete, but the titles remained in many countries. Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519) is often referred to as the "last knight" in this regard;"Der letzte Ritter": 500. Todestag von Kaiser Maximilian ISabine Haag "Kaiser Maximilian I.: Der letzte Ritter und das höfische Turnier" (2014) however, some of the most iconic battles of the Knights Hospitaller, such as the Siege of Rhodes and the Great Siege of Malta, took place after his rule. The ideals of chivalry were popularized in medieval literature, particularly the literary cycles known as the Matter of France, relating to the legendary companions of Charlemagne and his men-at-arms, the paladins, and the Matter of Britain, relating to the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
in tHe late midDle ages, NeW methods OF warfArE – sucH As the IntroductioN Of THe CuLVERin as aN anti-PersOnNEL, guNpoWdEr-fIred weApon – began tO RENder classIcal KNightS in armoUr ObsOlete, but the titlEs rEmained in MAny CoUntries. hoLy romAn EmPeror maximiLiaN I (1459–1519) IS OftEN rEfErrEd tO as tHe "LasT KNIgHt" in this regaRd;"der LetztE rIttEr": 500. tOdestag von kaiseR maxImilian Isabine Haag "kAiser maximiliAn I.: deR letZtE RITTEr und DAs HöfIsche TUrniER" (2014) hOwEver, Some Of the most IcONic BAtTles of tHE knighTs hoSpItaller, Such as thE siEge oF rhOdEs And THE gREat SieGe of malta, took place AFter his rULe. the IDeaLs of chIvalRY were popuLarIzed in MeDiEval litERatURE, ParTiculaRlY thE LiteraRy cYCles kNOwn as thE matTeR of fRaNce, RelatIng tO the LeGendary cOmpaniOns of cHaRlemAGnE And hiS meN-at-arMs, ThE PaladInS, anD the matter of britain, RElaTIng tO thE Legend Of kinG aRtHuR and his knIghts OF The ROUNd taBle.