'The European Chivalry: the Ideals and Practices\r'

'The Ideals and Practices Andrew Daniels Strayed University Abstract This publisher focuses on the approximationls and practices of valorousness, specific each(prenominal)y in the Middle Ages. During this period, a constitute of Ten Command custodyts pertaining to valorousness existed. Knights were evaluate to uphold a certain code that impacted their field, church, king, and fellow man. This paper will elaborate on those individual canons and explore what each mandate meant for a horse, and it will lay down how those obligations affected various aspects of their lives.Also, the paper will strikeing on heavily In relation to a entitles demeanor toward a woman, and the rules that were to be followed when engaging in courtly love. Lastly, one will put through how most of these ideas have carried into modern solar day, molaritygh they have been neutered throughout time. Picture King Arthur, a nickname In shining armor, waging war against his former nickname Lancelo t to prove his love for Guinevere. Most people witness such paintings when they hear the formulate â€Å"chivalry. While dragon-slaying knights and tales of rescuing damsels in distress have contributed to our nonion of chivalry, m any(prenominal)(prenominal) more than unifying aspects make up what it means to be chivalrous. I will be delving into the adjust marrow behind the principles and what it means to be a knight devoted to the ideals of chivalry. Knights first evolved in the eighth degree centigrade under the direction of the French ruler Charlemagne; It was from this time that the Idea of chivalry arose. Though the code of chivalry was never form solelyy written, it was understood by all as a way of culture and clean conduct.During the Middle Ages, knights upheld the ideals and practices delineated in The Code of valiancy. These value ranged from dedication to the church, to defending the weak and defending your country, and effect yourself to a higher standar d by organism convictionful to your word and wishing others. The unspoken Ten Commandments revealed the duties a knight was to defend. This paper will further rotate upon the customs of knights and their chivalric ways. one and alto arresther(a) of the major components of chivalry dealt with harboring the church.The first code stated, â€Å"thou shall intend all that the church teaches, and shall observe all its directions” (Marshall, 2002). The twinkling commandment simply stated, â€Å"thou shall defend the church building” (Marshall, 2002). In the Middle Ages Christianity in ten tort AT cottontails was ten only practice religion. I en snuck played a Olsten and dominate grapheme in the majority of peoples lives, non only chivalrous knights. Beginning as free peasants, knights often take churches. Due to such violence, Rome declared knights the protectors of churches commencement in the tenth vitamin C and threatening sanctions against every who ransa cked churches.Later, in the 1 lath century, the Truce of divinity asserted that knights should not make war on all holy days, all saints days or Thursday through Sunday. Abiding to these rules meant that knights exhibited their chivalric province by observing the churches directions. non only did the knights protect the church, but the church protected the knights estate if he embarked on a Crusade to Jerusalem, the supposed interment sight of Jesus. During his time away, the knight was in addition alleviate from paying taxes to the church (Warrior Challenge, 2003).While knights were essential to defend the church, they were in like manner expected to defend the weak, according to the Code of Chivalry (Marshall, 2002). Knights were expected to protect the weak and innocent. Given a plot of land for their services, rather than monetary compensation, knights were required to oversee the land in allege to economise agricultural procedures running smoothly and to ensure the p ublic assistance over their serfs. Another knightly duty was to vindicate the wronged. This was possible with extensive training from the age of heptad to twenty one.In this fourteen year span, knights learned everything from hunt and falconry to wielding a battle and vaulting on a horse in heavy armor (M devicein, 1991). With a repertoire of experiences such as these, knights were surely hooked to shield anyone weaker than them. Moreover, knights â€Å"shall love the country in which thou waist born” (Marshall, 2002). Knights upheld this chivalric code by living to serve their king and country. In the eighth century when Charlemagne ruled over his vast empire he enacted many longstanding ideas both in religion and education.During this period he and his vassals were involved in protecting their borders; without such a charismatic drawing card knights may not have been so have to serve and defend their king and country. In order to exhibit love for his country, the knigh t was sure to come after the king, country, and Code of Chivalry. The fifth commandment found in the code of chivalry, â€Å"thou shall not recoil onward thing enemy (Marshall, 2002). In a time when battles were common, knights were expected to squeeze with honor and die with valor. These traits would have been taught to these men when they were squires training to be knights.However, knights also established principles of what not to do in battle. It was thought chivalrous to never attack an unarmed foe, never use a weapon on an opponent not re lay to the attack, and never attack from behind (Marshall, 2002). By maintaining these principles a knight showed remark to themselves, their king and their country. The next commandment reads, â€Å"thou shall make war against the Infidel without necromancer and without mercy,” which relates to the s eveth commandment â€Å"thou snail practise scrupulously tiny Teal outlets, IT teen De not contrary to ten laws AT God” (Marshall, 2002).Certain tasks categorize under these two commandments were thought of as chivalrous. One such task stated that knights were to destroy wretched in all of its atrocious forms. Knights were required to fight for the ideals of their king, country and chivalry, which meant annihilating all those that attempted to appropriate land or rob people inwardly the kingdoms borders in which a knight resided. Protection of ones country by destroying the enemy appeaseed a priority for knights, as long as they did not betray any teachings of the church.Knights also abided by the code, â€Å"thou shall never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy pledged word” (Marshall, 2002). It was thought adventurous to live a life complete with respect and honor. Knights should not take for granted their freedom or their livelihood, and they must remain thankful for the opportunities provided to them. Of course, if knights kept their word of honor, they must avoid lying or trick th eir fellow man. Living an existence abundant of hypocrisy would defy the principals hose chivalrous men were to uphold.Just as it was thought unethical to deceive their fellow man, it was also thought improper to desert a star or ally in need. Likewise, knights were not to precede a noble cause, whether it presented itself in the form of a battle, defending ones church, or protecting ones country (Marshall, 2002). By living a truthful, honest existence, knights became role models of adapted gentlemen, which have contributed to our current view of the word chivalry today. Additionally, the code of chivalry demands, â€Å"thou shall be generous, and turn back largesse to everyone” (Marshall, 2002).Sir Thomas Malory provides a glimpse into such charitable actions as he recounts a scene between King Arthur and Sir Lancelot in his legend El Mortem dart. After Arthur learns of Lancelot and Gunrunners affair, he wages war against Lancets kingdom, only to find himself at the mer cy of Lancelot and his kinsman, Sir Boors sword Not so hardy, express Sir Lancelot, upon pain of thy head, that thou touch him no more, for I will never see that most noble king that made me knight neither slain en shamed.And therewith Sir Lancelot alighted attain his horse and took up the king ND horsed him again, and said thus: My lord Arthur, for Gods love stint this strife, for ye get here no worship, and I would do mine utterance, but always I forbear you, and ye nor none of yours forbear me; my lord, remember what I have make in many places, and now I am evil rewarded (Taylor, 2010, Para. L). Lancelot spares Urethras life, remembering when Arthur once placed his faith in Lancelot by making him his knight. Despite the wrangling between the former friends over Guinevere, they still respect one another.In this instance Lancets generosity outweighs his desire to bastinado Arthur. Such demonstrations of largesse, whether legend or not, reveal the true meaning behind this comma ndment. The final commandment put down in the Code of Chivalry states, â€Å"thou shall be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the nigh against Injustice an Eve â€Å"(Marshall,2 I Nils last commandment Disloyally encapsulates ten tore mentioned orders, reminding knights to live for all that is virtuous and to reenforce the need to respect the potential of country, church and king.Knights were to avoid certain practices such as torture and deceit; they were to remain loyal to their friends ND those who placed their trust in them. Furthermore, the concept of respecting women was considered a significant courtesy, though not directly mentioned in the Ten Commandments of Chivalry. Men were to exhibit manners at all times, and they must be polite and careful to women. Additionally, gentlemen showed respect to whoever should be their host.Andrea Aquaplanes, a 12th century author, wrote De Amour, known today in English as The Art of Courtly Love. In his work, he add resses the â€Å" 12 chief rules of love,” and elaborates on thirty-one aspect of â€Å"the art of courtly love. Rules that men must abide by consisted of topics such as chastity: â€Å"Thou shall guard thyself chaste for the sake of her whom thou loves” (Marshall, 2002). Within these numerous rules, one can see what was thought of as proper in a relationship and the kindness that was displayed toward women (Marshall, 2002).Concepts such as this reveal the origins of present day views on chivalry or in some opinions, the lack of chivalry. Overall, I feel the principles that contribute to the idea of chivalry, whether or not construed by legend, are grand ones. The codes that knights abided by revealed number of characteristics: faith, loyalty, strength, honesty, generosity and courtesy. I believe living an existence according to these principles, or even attempting to attain such standards, makes a person a superior, well-rounded individual.Incorporating such chara cteristics into ones everyday life allows a person to be more virtuous, and these values reinforce ones relationship with the church, country and allies. The romanticism of chivalry has survived to present day, though the code is not held to standards nearly as high as in the past with the majority of the ideas falling to the wayside. I believe a greening of several of these notions could benefit factions of society and reinstate principles that should be essential for all mankind.\r\n'