The Code of Chivalry was the formal code of conduct that medieval knights were expected to follow, emerging between the 11th and 12th centuries. This set of rules governed not only their behavior on the battlefield but also their loyalty to their lord, respect for fellow knights, and responsibilities toward protecting the weak and upholding justice. Rooted in ideals of honor, bravery, and courtesy, the Code of Chivalry became the foundation of knighthood and shaped the social and moral values of medieval society.
David Crouch, Professor of Medieval History at the University of Hull concluded in his research that the Code of Chivalry does in fact date back to ancient times.
Code of Chivalry Definition
The late medieval code of chivalry, however, arose from the idealization brought by the synthesis of Germanic and Roman martial traditions that often involved military bravery, training, and service to others.
Yet according to common definitions, the Code of Chivalry was simply the rules and customs of medieval knights.
Others defined it as the qualifications of a knight. These qualifications included virtues of courtesy, generosity, and valor.
Code of Chivalry – Dark Ages
The Knights’ Code of Chivalry was prevalent during the dark ages and everyone understood what it entailed. There was not an actual code so to speak. However, the code of chivalry during the medieval era was understood to be a set of rules that were beyond combat.
It introduced the concept of gallantry and several other qualities of medieval knights, such as bravery, honor, and courtesy to women.
“The medieval period was also known for violence and death, thus it was also called the Dark Ages. Knights were expected to have the strength and skills to face combat but they must also know how to temper their aggressive side with chivalrous acts”
Knights Code of Chivalry – Vows of Knighthood
Knights all throughout the middle ages had made several kinds of vows. Most of these vows revolved around the common concept which was chivalry. One of the documents of these vows was the Song of Roland. According to the Song of Roland, the Knight’s Code of Chivalry included the following Vows.
- Fear God and His Church
- Serve the liege lord in valor and faith
- Protect the weak and defenseless
- Live by honor and for glory
- Respect the honor of women
Another set of vows was Leon Gautier’s La Chevalerie, which was a popular summary of the ancient code of chivalry. It was also called the Ten Commandments of Chivalry and it included the following commands.
- Believe in the Church’s teachings and observe all the Church’s directions
- Defend the Church
- Respect and defend the weak
- Love your country
- Do not fear your enemy
- Show no mercy and do not hesitate to make war with the infidel
- Perform all your feudal duties as long as they do not conflict with the laws of God
- Never lie or go back on one’s word
- Be generous
- Always and everywhere be right and good against evil and injustice
The Knights Code of Chivalry & Song of Roland
The Song of Roland was a document of the code of chivalry in the middle ages, especially during the period of William the conqueror who ruled England. The song described the 8th-century knights and the battles that Emperor Charlemagne fought.
It was also referred to by historians as Charlemagne’s Code of Chivalry.
The Song of Roland was famous for describing the betrayal of Count Roland and his death at the hands of the Saracens. Roland was a loyal defender of Lord Charlemagne and his code of conduct was the key to defining chivalry during the medieval era.
Code of Chivalry – Legend of King Arthur
The Knight’s Code of Chivalry was further emphasized in the stories that featured the adventures of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
King Arthur was the legendary British leader in the late 5th century, popular for his bravery and unprecedented skills in combat.
Code of Chivalry – Duke of Burgundy
During the 14th century, the Duke of Burgundy broke the Knights Code of Chivalry into several virtues. These virtues included the following:
- Faith
- Charity
- Justice
- Sagacity
- Prudence
- Temperance
- Resolution
- Truth
- Liberality
- Diligence
- Hope
- Valor
Chivalry and Christianity
The primary goal of knighthood was to uphold the dignity of the Church. The foundation of chivalry was Christianity as it was created by the church, for the church, and through the church.
The idea of chivalry was conceived alongside the crusades in the dark ages and its goal was to diminish the brutality of these crusades as well as to make men loyal to the Christian faith.
Those who underwent knighthood also underwent a process of purification. This was a ceremony where the sacraments and relics were put into the hilt of his sword, tying his duty to God, which was the central notion of chivalry.
Knights Code of Chivalry Summary
Was chivalry good or bad for medieval society?
One cannot totally say it was good or bad. Chivalry was derived from the French word chevalier which meant mounted heavy cavalry. Its primary goal is to regulate violence in French society.
However, not all knights were able to uphold their vows to chivalry, primarily because the middle ages was highly characterized by violence, death, and the feudal system.
As knighthood became more elaborate and tournaments among knights became more popular, the church began to consider these gatherings as political threats, especially with the continued unrestrained violence despite having these codes of conduct.
End of Chivalry
Chivalry ended with the decline of knighthood. This was largely due to the rise of mercantilism and the creation of the middle class. Instead of noblemen having control over the system, power was slowly shifted to the hands of the people.
Wealthy merchants strove to adopt the virtues, practices, and manners of the knightly class. However, there was less and less use of such practices, which finally led to its end.
What was the Code of Chivalry?
The Code of Chivalry was a moral and social code followed by medieval knights. It emphasized honor, loyalty, bravery, courtesy, and protection of the weak, especially women and the church.
Did all knights follow the Code of Chivalry?
While the code was idealized in literature and promoted by the Church, not all knights lived up to it in practice. It served more as a guiding standard than a universally enforced rule.
What were the main values in the Code of Chivalry?
Core values included loyalty to one’s lord, courage in battle, honesty, generosity, defending the helpless, and upholding justice and faith.
Was the Code of Chivalry a written document?
There wasn’t one official written version. Different texts, like the Song of Roland or writings by medieval authors, described various interpretations of chivalric ideals.
How did the Code of Chivalry affect medieval society?
It helped shape knightly behavior, influenced medieval laws and customs, and contributed to the romantic image of knighthood in literature and legend.
