THIS IS INTERESTING -
Chivalry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chivalry, or the
chivalric code, is the traditional
code of conduct associated with the
medieval institution of
knighthood. Chivalry arose from an idealized German custom.
[1] It was originally conceived of as an aristocratic warrior code — the term derives from the French term for
horseman — involving
honor,
gallantry, and individual training and service to others. Over time its meaning has been refined to emphasize more ideals such as knightly virtues,
honor,
courtly love,
courtesy, and less martial aspects of the tradition.
The Knight's Code of Chivalry was a moral system that stated all knights should protect others who can not protect themselves, such as widows, children, and elders. All knights needed to have the strength and skills to fight wars in the Middle Ages. Knights not only had to be strong but they were also extremely disciplined and were expected to use their power to protect the weak and defenseless. Knights vowed to be loyal, generous, and "noble bearing". Knights were required to tell the truth at all times and always respect the honour of women. Knights not only vowed to protect the weak but also vowed to guard the honor of all fellow knights. They always had to obey those who were placed in authority and were never allowed to refuse a challenge from an equal. Knights lived by honor and for glory. Knights were to fear God and maintain His Church. Knights always kept their faith and never turned their back on a foe. Knights despised pecuniary reward. They persevered to the end in any enterprise begun.
[2] Essentially, a chivalric knight is a Christian military soldier. "Certain law" stated a man must be a baptized Christian in order to become a knight.
[1]
Historian
Johan Huizinga remarks in his book
The Waning of the Middle Ages, "the source of the chivalrous idea, is pride aspiring to beauty, and formalized pride gives rise to a conception of honour, which is the pole of noble life."
[3]
The term
chivalry is sometimes also used to refer to the medieval mounted
men-at-arms with whom this code was associated.