code of chivalry
Medieval warrior ethics
A code of chivalry is a set of ideals governing knightly conduct, emphasizing honor, courage, loyalty, and protection of the weak.
The phrase evokes medieval warriors bound by duty to their lord and courtly respect toward women.
In modern use, it often describes any system of honorable behavior, sometimes invoked nostalgically or ironically: His personal code of chivalry wouldn't let him walk away from the fight.
- knightHonored mounted soldier
- knight errantRoaming medieval warrior-adventurer
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- valorCourage in danger
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
sworn oath · courtly love · fair maiden · armor · sword · noble · gallant · round table · quest · damsel · tournament · oath · fealty · crusade · virtue · lance · noble steed · heraldry
code of chivalryMachiavellianism
Cunning, amoral statecraft
ruthlessness · barbarism · law of the jungle · treachery · amorality
code of chivalryterrorism
Intimidation through targeted violence
total war · no quarter · scorched earth policy · scorched earth · war crimes
code of chivalryboorishness
Crude, uncouth conduct
savagery · cowardice · dishonor · caddishness · vulgarity
code, codes, coded, coding, coder, codify, codification, chivalry, chivalric