The chivalric code, or just plain chivalry, is a code of conduct that was developed around the 10th century in association with Knighthood. The term
chivalry comes from the Old French word,
chevalerie, which translates to the "horse soldiery". Knights are known for their skills in the horsemanship, which helps determine the origination and link between chivalry and knights.
The Code of Chivalry represented morals that should lead the knights to be more than just a part of combat. the Code of Chivalry encouraged bravery, honesty, courtesy, loyalty, and many more characteristics of an ideal knight. this code also incorporated the notion of love and great gallantry toward women. The code is described as follows:
- To fear God and maintain His church
- To serve the liege lord in valour and faith
- To protect the weak and defenseless
- To give succour to widows and orphans
- To refrain from the wanton giving of offense
- To live by honor and for glory
- To despise pecuniary reward
- To fight for the welfare of all
- To obey those placed in authority
- To guard the honor of fellow knights
- To eschew unfairness, meanness, and deceit
- To keep faith
- At all times to speak the truth
- To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
- To respect the honor of women
- Never refuse a challenge from an equal
- Never to turn the back upon a foe
Out of these seventeen different characteristics of the ideal knight, only a few of them are geared towards combat. It is interesting to recognize the push towards morals and good qualities in a knight that are not necessarily related to fighting.
Sources:
"Chivalry." Wikipedia. Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chivalry
Code of Chivalry. Medieval Life and Times. http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-knights/code-of-chivalry.htm
Harrison, Robert.
The Song of Roland. New York: New American Library, 1970.
I'm glad somebody talked about the knight's Code of Chivalry. Not all of these still apply today, but some of them do, and imagine how much better of a world we would live in if everybody followed the morals of medieval knights.
ReplyDeleteGood post! I found some of the parts of the code to be interesting. There were some things I did not think about being included, like "to give succor to widows and orphans. There is definitely more to it than just combat stuff. I was also wondering if chivalry spoke on the treatment of women back then or not, like it is recognized as today, so I am glad you touched on that.
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in knowing how someone determines who is an equal and therefore you can't decline a challenge from. Does this mean equals in authority and rank? Like how Roland can't kill Marsilla, but Charles has to? I mean obviously Roland COULD kill Marsilla, but it was Charles' place to kill Marsilla. Or does it mean your equal in ability?
ReplyDelete