Chivalry is the ideals and moral codes followed by knights in the Middle Ages. The word originated from the Spanish, French, and Italian words meaning warrior on horseback. The first codes of chivalry told knights to fight for god against non-Christian enemies, such as in the crusades. In the 13th century however, chivalry took on new meanings. Chivalrous activities included honoring and serving women, bringing justice to the land, being generous and giving, defending your lord loyally, and having faith in god.(1)(2)

Live to serve King and Country.

Live to defend Crown and Country and all it holds dear.

Live one's life so that it is worthy of respect and honor.

Live for freedom, justice and all that is good.

Never attack an unarmed foe.

Never use a weapon on an opponent not equal to the attack.

Never attack from behind.

Avoid lying to your fellow man.

Avoid cheating.

Avoid torture.

Obey the law of king, country, and chivalry.

Administer justice.

Protect the innocent.

Exhibit self control.

Show respect to authority.

Respect women.

Exhibit Courage in word and deed.

Defend the weak and innocent.

Destroy evil in all of its monstrous forms.

Crush the monsters that steal our land and rob our people.

Fight with honor.

Avenge the wronged.

Never abandon a friend, ally, or noble cause.

Fight for the ideals of king, country, and chivalry.

Die with valor.

Always keep one's word of honor.

Always maintain one's principles.

Never betray a confidence or comrade.

Avoid deception.

Respect life and freedom.

Die with honor.

Exhibit manners.

Be polite and attentive.

Be respectful of host, women, and honor.

Loyalty to country, King, honor, freedom, and the code of chivalry.

Loyalty to one's friends and those who lay their trust in thee.
Basically, be a perfect knight. The code requires a knight to be respectful to everyone around them, and to gain and maintain trust because of your valor when fighting. It requires one to never back down from a situation, but be in enough control to easilty handle it.

Origin of Code of Chivalry

One theory of the Origin of the Code of the Chivalry is that it was brought about by the church. The church put the code in place because it imposed a good moral framework on the violent and barbaric culture of knights. It helped agression be expressed in an acceptable way and give the strong a duty to protect the weak. It also gave women some respect and some rights which they had few of in that society. (4)
The word dirived from the words chevalier (French), caballero (Spanish), and cavaliere (Italian). These words descibe one who fights on horseback which was customary for knights to do. (5)

Chivalric Combat

Chivalric combat was also known as the judicial duel. The duels were usually fought between two knights, one being the plaintiff and one the defendant. After the plaintiff accused the defendant of dishonorable conduct the two would fight to the death before judges, a form of trial by combat. Whichever knight survived the duel was found to be the innocent one. (6)

Joust of Peace

The Joust of Peace was a joust between two knights who wished to prove their prowess. These jousts usually took place at tournaments where galleries of ladies would witness the joust and offer gifts of honor to the knights that they favored. (7)


(1)http://www.medieval-life.net/chivalry.htm
(2)http://www.chronique.com/Library/Chivalry/code.htm
(3) http://www.astro.umd.edu/~marshall/chivalry.html
(4)http://www.thegreatbooks.com/books/details.php?ISBN=0231073054&return=www.thegreatbooks.com/courses/medieval.php
(5)http://www.medieval-life.net/chivalry.htm
(6)http://www.chronique.com/Library/Glossaries/glossary-KCT/gloss_j.htm#judicial%20duel
(7)http://www.chronique.com/Library/Glossaries/glossary-KCT/gloss_j.htm#judicial%20duel