Knight’s Code of Chivalry
“A knight was expected to have not only the strength and skills to face combat in the violent Middle Ages, but was also expected to temper this aggressive side of a knight with a chivalrous side to his nature. There was not an authentic Knight’s Code of Chivalry as such – it was a moral system which went beyond rules of combat and introduced the concept of Chivalrous conduct – qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women.”
The Knight’s Code of Chivalry and the vows of Knighthood
The Knight’s Code of Chivalry described in the Song of Roland and an excellent representation of the Knights Codes of Chivalry are as follows:
- To fear God and maintain His Church
- To serve the liege lord in valour and faith
- To protect the weak and defenceless
- To give succour to widows and orphans
- To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
- To live by honour and for glory
- To despise pecuniary reward
- To fight for the welfare of all
- To obey those placed in authority
- To guard the honour 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 honour of women
- Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
- Never to turn the back upon a foe
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