Information AboutChivalry |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT CHIVALRY | |
| warrior code | |
| warfare of the medieval era | |
| middle ages | |
| knights | |
| virtues | |
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Chivalry refers to the Medieval institution of Knighthood and, most especially, the ideals that were/have become associated with it throughout literature. It was also often associated with ideals of Knightly Virtues , Honor and of Courtly Love . Chivalry was in essence a Warrior Code which was later appropriated and propagated by the Church which added the Christian aspects. The Church allowed warrior Monk s and mounted Soldier s of the Middle Ages to become Orders of Christian knights who would protect the church and society. The word comes from the French word ''chevalier'' which means ''knight.'' The English word ''cavalier'' comes from the same root. Ultimately the word gained an Aristocratic connotation, as it distinguished the wealthy knight on horseback from the Peasant Infantryman walking with his pike and the Artilleryman dragging his vulgar machinery. In war, the chivalrous knight was idealized as Brave in Battle , Loyal to his king and God , and willing to Sacrifice himself for the lord or king. Towards his fellow Christians and countrymen, the knight was to be Merciful , Humble , and Courteous . Towards noble ladies above all, the knight was to be gracious and gentle. The idealized relationship between knight and lady was that of Courtly Love . Today, chivalry is interpreted as courteous behavior, especially towards women. But since the equal rights movements of the 1970s, a common phrase is often heard: "Chivalry is dead." CODE OF CHIVALRY There was no single code that served as a definition of how a knight should act, but there were several lists written down during the Middle Ages. One example code can be found in the book ''Chivalry'' by 19th century French historian Leon Gautier .
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