And that’s a definition that even your social studies teacher probably would have approved of. The choice to do the right things, for the right reasons, at the right times. In short, that’s what chivalry is - a choice. Perhaps, like those knights in shining armor hundreds of years ago, we want to experience the satisfaction of knowing that we have championed the right causes and embraced the right principles, not because we were told to do so, but simply because we have chosen to follow that path. Chivalry Chivalry, as defined by Encyclopedia Americana is a system of values and ideals of conduct held by knights in medieval Europe.
#Chivalry code encyclopedia code#
Perhaps that’s why people are finding the concept of chivalry so relevant to modern life. A Knights Chivalry An Analysis Of Chivalry Chivalry, or the code of conduct that the Knights of out past used to justify their actions, towards country and state. Today, we’re not too different from those knights in the Middle Ages - we have a great deal of wealth and resources and freedom at our disposal, and we can use (or misuse) them in nearly any way we like.
It was a set of limitations which the strong and mighty placed upon themselves with the realization that setting a good example sends a message which is far more powerful than any words on paper.
But chivalry was not a mandate from the powerful to the downtrodden, nor a directive from the chosen unto the masses. The code of chivalry is, at its heart, simply a handbook for good conduct. Illustration of a knighting ceremony taken from a 14th century manuscript.įrom the Ten Commandments of the Bible, to The Eightfold Path of Zen, to All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten, people throughout history have searched for a way to define and quantify admirable behavior. That is a precise definition to be sure, but it does leave some unanswered questions. The demonstration of any of these qualities.The noble qualities a knight was supposed to have, such as courage and a readiness to help the weak.Here’s what Webster’s Dictionary has to offer: Chivalry: Let’s define the term before we go any further so nobody feels like the class dunce. It has something to do with suits of armor and opening the door for a lady, right?ĭon’t be embarrassed, “chivalry” is a word not often heard today, and a lot of people really don’t know what it means. This conduct code can be summed up as the following: being brave, honest, loyal, modest, and courteous Otherwise if not followed then the penalty would be death.
The term may sound familiar, but … gosh, it has been a long time since that social studies class in high school or the college English literature course. The major key concept that you are exposed to is the code of chivalry, which is a conduct code that all knights must follow.