"Chivalry, or the chivalric code, is an informal and varying code of conduct developed in Europe between 1170 and 1220."
The code of conduct that governed the behaviour of knights, emphasizing virtues such as honour, loyalty, and courtly love.
Origins of chivalry: The origins of chivalry can be traced back to the 12th century, and it emerged as a code of conduct for medieval knights, emphasizing honor, nobility, bravery, and duty.
Knightly virtues: Knights were expected to uphold a strict code of behavior, including fidelity, loyalty, piety, generosity, courage, and honor.
Armor and weapons: Knights wore a variety of armor, such as chainmail, plate mail, and leather, and used weapons like swords, lances, maces, and axes.
Chivalric romance: Chivalric romance was a literary genre that flourished in the late Middle Ages, portraying the ideals of chivalry and courtly love through stories of heroic knights, damsels in distress, and quests.
Medieval warfare: The medieval period was marked by frequent wars and conflicts, and knights played a crucial role as mounted warriors on the battlefield.
Medieval castles: Castles were the primary defensive structures of the medieval period, and they were designed to withstand sieges and protect their inhabitants.
Courtly love: Courtly love was a concept that emerged in the medieval period, which emphasized the romantic and platonic love between a knight and a noblewoman, often with an air of secrecy and distance.
Feudal system: The feudal system was the social structure of medieval society, where a lord granted land to vassals in exchange for military and loyalty.
Religious beliefs: Religion played a significant role in medieval life, and the dominant religion was Christianity, with the Catholic Church holding great power and influence.
Medieval art and architecture: The medieval period produced some of the most iconic artworks and architectural masterpieces in history, such as stained glass windows, Gothic cathedrals, and illuminated manuscripts.
Military Chivalry: The code of conduct for knights that emphasized military glory, honor, and bravery in battle.
Courtly Chivalry: The code of conduct for nobles that emphasized courtly grace, good manners, and accomplishments in music, dance, and literature.
Religious Chivalry: The code of conduct for knights that emphasized faith, piety, and devotion to the church.
Social Chivalry: The code of conduct for nobles that emphasized proper behavior and etiquette in social situations.
Romantic Chivalry: The code of conduct for knights that emphasized courtly love, loyalty to a lady, and acts of chivalry to win her favor.
Heraldic Chivalry: The code of conduct for knights that emphasized the use of heraldry, coat of arms, and symbolism to represent one's identity, accomplishments, and lineage.
Civic Chivalry: The code of conduct for knights that emphasized civic duty, public service, and loyalty to one's lord or king.
Legal Chivalry: The code of conduct for knights that emphasized justice, fairness, and adherence to the law.
Economic Chivalry: The code of conduct for nobles that emphasized the management of estates, the care of tenants, and the relief of the poor.
"It is associated with the medieval Christian institution of knighthood, with knights being members of various chivalric orders."
"Knights' and gentlemen's behaviors were governed by chivalrous social codes."
"The ideals of chivalry were popularized in medieval literature, particularly the literary cycles known as the Matter of France and the Matter of Britain."
"All of these were taken as historically accurate until the beginnings of modern scholarship in the 19th century."
"The code of chivalry that developed in medieval Europe had its roots in earlier centuries."
"It arose in the Carolingian Empire from the idealization of the cavalryman—involving military bravery, individual training, and service to others—especially in Francia."
"Over time, the meaning of chivalry in Europe has been refined to emphasize more general social and moral virtues."
"The code of chivalry, as it stood by the Late Middle Ages, was a moral system which combined a warrior ethos, knightly piety, and courtly manners."
"The refined code of chivalry emphasized general social and moral virtues."
"The Matter of France relating to the legendary companions of Charlemagne and his men-at-arms, the paladins."
"The Matter of Britain [...] popularized the legend of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table."
"Chivalry, or the chivalric code, is an informal and varying code of conduct developed in Europe between 1170 and 1220. It is associated with the medieval Christian institution of knighthood."
"Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written in the 1130s, [informed] the Matter of Britain."
"Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae [...] popularized the legend of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table."
"The code of chivalry, as it stood by the Late Middle Ages, was a moral system which combined a warrior ethos, knightly piety, and courtly manners."
"The code of chivalry that developed in medieval Europe had its roots in earlier centuries [...] involving military bravery, individual training, and service to others."
"Knights' and gentlemen's behaviors were governed by chivalrous social codes."
"Knights were members of various chivalric orders."
"All of these [literary cycles] were taken as historically accurate until the beginnings of modern scholarship in the 19th century."