Code of Chivalry
Discover the ideals and contradictions of medieval chivalry—knighthood, courtly love, and the code of honor in Arthurian legend.
Introduction#
Anyone who makes the attempt to define the word chivalry in a few paragraphs is destined to fail, simply because the term denoted differing states and obligations depending on whether we are dealing with the early or the late Middle Ages, with political and social reality or literary inspiration.
Early Definitions of Chivalry#
By its origins, “chivalry” denotes a purely military status (the very word chevalier in French suggests a mounted soldier). Yet in its literary and social implementation, chivalry was far more than that. It could develop into an elaborate code, and it was in many cases inextricably linked up – often in complex ways – with courtly love.
L’Ordene de chevalerie, an early thirteenth-century French treatise on the theory of knighthood, lays out duties for the knight:
- To love God and be willing to spill one’s blood for Him
- To possess justice and loyalty, protecting the poor and the weak
- To remain clean in flesh and pure in spirit, avoiding in particular the sin of lechery
- To strive for candor and flee from pride
Practical advice followed these lofty ideals: do not witness false judgment or treason, never deny protection to a lady or maiden, be abstemious, and attend Mass daily.
Sidney Painter’s Three Categories#
Sidney Painter (1902-1960), an American historian writing on medieval France, divides chivalry into three strands. This framework shows how varied the concept of chivalry could be, and how its emphases shifted depending on context.
Feudal Chivalry
Based on prowess (courage, strength, martial skill) and loyalty, with generosity and courtesy as corollaries.
Religious Chivalry
Adding piety, temperance, chastity, and fidelity to the Church and to the demands of the prince.
Courtly Love
Binding the adoration of the lady to the chivalric ethic, where love was considered ennobling and perfecting.
Chivalry in Arthurian Literature#
As Painter’s discussion suggests, Arthurian romances present chivalry as a shifting and sometimes conflicting set of duties. Knights might be torn between service to God, to king and society, or to a lady. Some authors tried to synthesize these obligations, but the result was not always comfortable.
Thus, the ideals of chivalry evolved across centuries of storytelling, reflecting different cultural values and religious priorities.
Chrétien de Troyes | 12th century
Chrétien often depicts knights misunderstanding the balance: Erec neglects chivalry for love, Yvain neglects love for knightly glory, and Lancelot finds his true calling in service to the lady.
The Vulgate Cycle | 13th century
Emphasizes the Grail quest, presenting spiritual purity as the highest form of chivalry, superior to both love and social duty.
Sir Thomas Malory | 15th century
In Le Morte Darthur, Arthur’s Round Table Oath clearly codifies knightly duty: never commit outrage or murder, grant mercy, protect widows and orphans, avoid treason, and pursue justice. Malory stresses the incompatibility of chivalry with wordly love – the Grail knight must remain pure, unlike the courtly heroes of earlier French romances.
The Core Virtues of Chivalry#
Despite differences, some ideals remained constant. A knight was sworn to uphold good and overturn evil, to protect the poor, weak, and downtrodden—often explicitly widows, maidens, and orphans. Generosity was celebrated as the queen of virtues, expressed through hospitality, gift-giving, and even freeing captives on their word.
A knight’s reputation was central, seen as a mirror of his character. Yet the pursuit of glory could mislead: some knights chased adventure for its own sake, forgetting that true chivalry required service to a higher goal.
Chivalry and Social Conduct#
Around these ideals grew an elaborate social code. Knights were expected to embody noble graces—politeness, eloquence, discretion, and mastery of manners. Yet here too there was danger of excess. Chrétien’s Perceval mistakes trivial rules for the essence of chivalry, illustrating how ritual could eclipse real virtue.
Authors often used figures like Gawain to critique “chivalry gone wrong,” showing how the pursuit of display, seduction, or empty reputation could betray the original ideals.
