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The Code of Chivalry
© Written and researched by Margaret Odrowaz-Sypniewska, B.F.A., FSM. SKM, ROP, ROJ, P.G.S.A.

Woodcut from Geoffrey Chaucer's
Canterbury Tales.

The Knight emerged into society during the Late Carolingian empire around the ninth and tenth centuries. They were called Chevalier in France, cavaliere in Italy, caballero in Spain, and ritter in Germany. The word came from the Anglo-Saxon cnicht. Early knights were the Paladins of Charlemagne's Court. Knights were traditionally obliged to serve their lords in times of battle. However, later on, the duties of a knight changed and they became mercenaries [such as the German Landsknecht] in various countries. They became brash and bold, and lost sight of the finer more gentile part of life. The Rules of Chivalry were important to moderate the violent tendencies of early knights. As many grew to love themselves more than others, and worked more for personal monetary gains than for the betterment of mankind.

By the thirteen century, a "Code of chivalry" or "Knightly behavior" emerged:

The fourteenth century was the "Golden Age" of chivalry, the spirits and customs of Knighthood, the gentle spirit of an age filled with coarseness and brutality. Its ideals were high, through the practice was frequently hollow. The ideal was to live a Christian life of good cheer and good works.

They French had their chansons de geste of "songs of deed" recounting the deeds of great warriors of the past. The Chansons de Roland was composed in 1100. This heroic poem is still read today in college literature classes. Poland was a famous paladin of Charlemagne. He was famous for his prowess and death in the battle od Roncesvelles (in 778).

From L'Ordene de Chavalerie:

"There were tall and strong,
The Handsome and robust,
The loyal, the valiant and bold.....
A knight must be merciful without wickedness,
Affable without treachery,
Compassionate towards suffering,
..... and openhanded.
He must be ready to help the needy
And confound robbers and murderers,
A just judge without favour or hate.
He must prefer death to dishonor.
He must protect the Holy Church for she cannot defend herself."

From the Idylls of the King:

"I made them lay their hands in mine and swear.
To reverence the King, as if he were
Their conscience, and their conscience as their King,
To break the heathen and uphold Christ,
To ride abroad addressing human wrongs,
To speak no slander, no, nor listen to it,
To honour his own word as if his God's ...
... But teach high thought, as amiable words
And courtliness, and the desire of fame,
And love of truth, and all that makes a man."

............ by Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892), first Baron and an English poet.

High standards were set, and but rarely attained. "In Medieval Times, honor meant more than mere courage and the skill of a warrior" (Hopkins, 8).

Obviously, these were not rules that all men can follow, in the same way or degree, but they are the way men/women should be in a perfect world. Strive to this perfection and you can sleep at night. You will know in your heart that you have made the best attempts to do what is best for mankind, rather than your own self.

SOURCES:

Allcock, Hubert. Heraldic Design. New York: Tudor Publishing Company, 1962.

Edge, David. Arms and Armor of the Medieval Knight. Greenwich, CT.: Bison Books Corp., 1988.

Hopkins, Andre. Knights. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1998.

For inspiration see:

For questions about the Order of St. Stanislas please contact: Kevin Couling

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