The Code of Chivalry

The Code of Chivalry Chivalry is a system of ethical ideals that arose from feudalism and had its highest development in the 12th and 13th centuries. The main chivalric virtues were piety, honor, valor, courtesy, chastity, and loyalty. The knight's loyalty was due to the spiritual master, God; to the earthly master, the king or overlord; and to the mistress of the heart, his sworn love. Love, in the chivalric sense, was largely platonic (non-physical); as a rule, only a virgin or another man's wife could be the chosen object of chivalrous love. With the cult of the Virgin Mary, the relegation of noblewomen to a pedestal reached its highest expression. The Ten Commandments of the Code of Chivalry From Chivalry by Leon Gautier I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions. Thou shalt defend the Church. Thou shalt repect all weaknesses, and shalt make thyself the defender of them. Thou shalt love the country in the which thou wast born. Thou shalt not recoil in fear before thine enemy. Thou shalt make war against the Infidel (non-Christian) without cessation, and without mercy. Thou shalt perform perfectly thy feudal duties to your earthly lord, if they be not contrary to the laws of God. Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy sworn oath. Thou shalt be generous, and give freely to everyone. Thou shalt be always and everywhere the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil. The Twelve Chief Rules in Courtly Love From The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus 1. Thou shalt avoid greet like the deadly plague and shalt embrace its opposite. 2. Thou shalt keep thyself chaste (pure) for the sake of her whom thou lovest. 3. Thou shalt not knowingly strive to break up a correct love affair that someone else is engaged in. 4. Thou shalt not chose for thy love anyone whom a natural sense of shame forbids thee to marry. 5. Be mindful completely to avoid falsehood (lies, deceit). 6. Thou shalt not have many who know of thy love affair (be secretive!). 7. Being obedient in all things to the commands of ladies, thou shalt ever strive to dedicate thyself to the service of Love. 8. In giving and receiving love's gifts, let modesty be ever present. 9. Thou shalt speak no evil. 10. Thou shalt not be a revealer of the love affairs of others. 11. Thou shalt be in all things polite and courteous. 12. In practicing the gifts of love thou shalt not exceed the desires of thy lover.