Code Of Chivalry Essay

Literature of the Middle Ages can not be discussed without acknowledging the undeniable importance of chivalry. Chivalry in relation to the middle ages is defined as “the code of conduct adhered to by Medieval knights with gallant knightly values including honor, bravery, courteousness and honesty.” This key characteristic is essential in defining an ideal knight as well as his expectations. A knight must live by a chivalric code in which he becomes indebted to the people, his fellow knights, and most importantly, his lord. No other knight displayed more of a devotion to upholding the code then Lanval of Marie de France’s lai “Lanval.” Lanval demonstrates his chivalric nature in essential every action from maintaining comitatus amongst the

Chivalry is the type of thing that would be great to have in our society but I don’t believe that it exists too much anymore in the world today. Let me break down here some of the chivalry rules compared with the actions of the people of the current world.

In years of King Arthur and the round table, the knights lived by a code. This code was called the Code of Chivalry. Knights abided by these rules and were punished both physically but socially if they broke one. Today, this code can be translated into modern day unspoken rules.

Furthermore, within the medieval period there was the development of certain traditions and rewards associated with the concept of chivalry. The partaking in tournaments and jousting is argued by Keen to have been a ‘step on the scale of chivalrous perfection’. In these activities acts of violence were glorified and those who were successful were rewarded, thus endorsing and entrenching the belief that violence and success in war were the main premises on which chivalry was based. The extent to which violence contributed to what came to define chivalry is

Just as she lands her perfect beam routine and wins the gold medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics she reflects back on her dedication to get there, “I had to face a lot coming through this journey, a lot of sacrifices, difficulties, challenges, and injuries.” Although, she is known to be a perfect gymnast Gabby Douglas is not the first to achieve perfection. Sir Gawain, a knight from King Arthur's court Camelot, is proclaimed a perfect knight. In the well-known Sir Gawain and the Green Knight this acclaimed knight’s was tested his commitment to following the Code of Chivalry for a whole year. Remarkably, Sir Gawain proves himself to be a perfect knight through his loyalty to the Code of Chivalry.

The origin of the word chivalry is from the French term “chevalrie”, literally used to describe the characteristics of armed knights on horseback.1 It did not originally include the moral aspects which it had become later known for. Into the later times in the Middle Ages, chivalry began to be a more concrete code of conduct which was followed by the high class and knights.1

If we travel back to the year 1500, the Church (what we now call the Roman Catholic Church) was very powerful both politically and spiritually in Western Europe. For some time the Church was seen as an institution weighed down by internal power struggles. Popes and Cardinals often lived more like kings than spiritual leaders. Popes claimed political as well as spiritual power. They commanded armies, made political alliances and enemies, and, sometimes, even waged war.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘Chivalry’ as “the system, spirit, or customs of medieval knighthood,” (“Chivalry”). The late Letitia Baldridge, who served as the White House Social Secretary for Jacqueline Kennedy as well as an advisor for many more first ladies, has been quoted with saying “Chivalry isn 't dead. It 's just no longer gender-based,” (Baldrige). Baldrige, who was the author of more than twenty books on subjects ranging from etiquette to business and interior design, has also been recognized as amongst some of America’s first woman small business owners (Baldrige). Whereas the concept of chivalry has evolved over the years, a perfect example of its meaning can be found in the fourteenth century poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The poem opens with allusions to Greek and Roman history and eventually sets the story on Christmas in Camelot with King Arthur and his knights of the round table. Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew and a knight in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, faces trials and temptations that one would typically expect from a knight of the round table. Through careful and juxtaposed analysis of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and articles by reputable authors, this paper will examine the theme a knight’s chivalric code in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the transformation of Sir Gawain as he faces multiple trials.

Have you ever had an event change your life? When I took my first steps onto the marching band field for the first time, I realized I had found a place where I belonged. I quickly realized how the lessons I learned in marching band would become an integral part of my personal code of chivalry—a code that would guide not only my steps on the field but into my future as well. These three codes are: lead by example all the time, punctuality breeds perfection, and you can’t succeed if you have people do it for you. These codes have become values that exemplify not only the team member that I have become but also the adult I will continue to be.

The code of chivalry was developed in Europe during the medieval ages as a system of ethics to hold knights responsible for their actions. The perfect knight was ideally humble, subservient to his king, skilled in warfare, and a good Christian. Many Arthurian poets incorporated the ideas of chivalry into their works. Ultimately, the code of chivalry left a lasting mark on European culture. The book “The Return of King Arthur” touches on the subject of chivalry in modern day practices: “From Arthurian legend, writers and artists took the situations, themes, and motifs which had the most meaning for them, by means of which they could give new and symbolic expression to their own experience.” King Arthur and his indomitable Knights can be found in modern ideals, ethics, and art. Literary works in the Arthurian tradition were composed by multiple authors over many years. In particular, there are four texts that demonstrate the Arthurian concept of chivalry: Morte D’ Arthur, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Story of the Grail, and The Song of Roland.

One can interpret that the practices of chivalry impacted the daily lives of those within positions of power as well as those who had swore fealty, and through knighthood promised to defend their realms. Through the strict moral codes of chivalry individuals are expected to give their life in service of both god, liege and the betterment of society in return for the reward of honour and nobility within Middle Ages society. Overall it is through the concept of chivalry that the upstanding loyalty to both one’s liege and to God is enforced, and the idea that chivalry defines the Medieval age is one that can be embraced to a large

The chivalric code is a code of conduct associated with the medieval institution of knighthood. Boys who were to become knights grew up around values that include comportment, courtesy, cleanliness, and religion. At a later year in a boy’s development, he would study under a knight to learn riding and all the skills of war, as well as hunting, hawking, and other sports that were encouraged by the knightly code of honor. As the knights developed, there came a time for the knight in training to swear to the knightly code. The knightly code asked to protect the weak, defenseless, and helpless, and fight for the general welfare of all people. This code was rarely lived up to, but it remained the standard for chivalry and proper

Within the Middle Ages, the church became the most influential and important force for the European society. As the central governments of Europe grew weak, the church rose in strength. In result came an ever lasting battle between the two. Popes were in control of spiritual matters, and the emperor or king were in charge of political affairs. During the Middle Ages, the line in between spiritual and political was clearly not bold enough.

In Medieval Europe, the church played a critical role in shaping government and society. Most of the contemporary leaders were drawn from the church and contributed in championing the ideals of the church, leading to the papacy (Cook 33). During the papacy, the Pope of the Catholic Church assumed the position of the world leader, administering over the church flock and the non-Christian subjects. However, before the church rose to this eminent posit, its relationship with the government was tumultuous. Often, the people who professed the Christian faith were publicly persecuted. The ancient societies viewed the church with suspicion and suspected the church leaders incitement and sedition (Rublack 37). Based on the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the emotions the event evoked, the Roman rulers were wary of another public incident that may sway the loyalty of the subjects. The history of the church and the Eastern and Western factions of Rome shaped modern day Europe political landscape. The interaction between the Empire and the Papacy in Medieval Europe shaped modern day governments by influencing the rise to power or decline of some.

The Code of Chivalry is a code in which knights must follow to be considered as a,”Noble knight.” Prince Therandil of Sathem-by-the-Mountains, did not if fact, act in accordance with the Code of Chivalry. For Therandil’s disposition it is all about status and his heritage. Therandil is not acting in accordance to the code of Chivalry because he was enticed by Princess Cimorene’s dowry, Therandil only cared about his status, and he did not truly want to save Princess Cimorene.