Medieval Code of Chivalry

A knight must cheerfully perform any noble service or quest asked of him. If any person or item is placed in his care, a knight must defend, to the death if necessary, his charge. Naturally, any task incompletely accomplished is a sign of physical weakness and spiritual failure.

A knight must perform military service to his lord whenever asked and must show courage and enterprise when obeying his lord. This is the very heart of the feudal ideal, and forms the backbone of medieval military organization.

A knight regards war as the “flowering of chivalry” and, therefore, a noble enterprise. For the knight, battle is the test of manhood, and combat is glorious. A knight’s first goal as a warrior, therefore, is the personal achievement of glory in battle. Without glorious deeds in times of war, a knight is considered to be nothing more than a fancy mercenary, having wasted years of his life training for ultimate failure.

A knight must defeat all those who oppose his cause in battle. Note that slaying your enemy is not always the best way to make your point. Driving off an invader with a great show of force allows tales to be told, rumors to be spread, and keeps someone alive to warn against further invasions.

A knight must choose death before dishonor. Why live if one must live in disgrace? Much like bushido, the samurai’s code of honor, the knight is supposed to die before surrendering his charge. However, while a knight who blindly charges the barbarian horde may seem ludicrous, the ultimate result is the same, honor is served.

A knight must show respect for all peers and equals, honor all those above his station (social class or rank), and scorn those who are lowly and ignoble. A knight does not aid the ill-mannered, the coarse, the crude. This applies to goods and services as well. A knight does not use equipment which is badly-made or inferior, as he chooses to fight on foot before riding a nag.

A knight must show courtesy to all ladies (also see “Maid to Fit”). Women are frail things to be protected. They are to be cherished and honored, watched from afar and never handled roughly.