The code of chivalry was a set of ideals that medieval knights were expected to follow. These ideals included:
- Valor: Knights were expected to be brave and fearless in battle.
- Courtesy: Knights were expected to be polite and respectful to others, especially women.
- Loyalty: Knights were expected to be loyal to their lord and to each other.
- Honesty: Knights were expected to be honest and trustworthy.
- Mercy: Knights were expected to be merciful to their defeated enemies.
Purpose of the Code of Chivalry
The code of chivalry had several purposes. It helped to:
- Create a sense of unity among knights: By following the same code of conduct, knights from different backgrounds could come together and fight for a common cause.
- Promote Christian values: The code of chivalry was based on Christian principles, such as love, mercy, and forgiveness.
- Civilize society: The code of chivalry helped to curb the violence and disorder that was common in medieval Europe.
- Entertain: The code of chivalry provided a framework for jousts and other tournaments, which were popular forms of entertainment in medieval times.