medieval chivalry
Courtly warrior code
Medieval chivalry was the code of conduct governing knights in Europe during the Middle Ages—a blend of martial valor, Christian piety, and courtly behavior.
Knights were expected to display courage in battle, loyalty to their lord, and courtesy toward women and the weak.
The ideal was more aspiration than reality; actual knights often fell short.
The tournament celebrated medieval chivalry's emphasis on honor and skill at arms.
- chansons de gesteMedieval French epic poems
- lanceLong thrusting weapon
- armorProtective combat covering
- knightHonored mounted soldier
- knight errantRoaming medieval warrior-adventurer
sword · chivalry · honor · courtly love · fair maiden · damsel in distress · crusades · noblesse oblige · feudalism · loyalty · fealty · sworn oath · troubadours · errantry · holy grail · heraldry · illuminated manuscripts · vassalage
- Baltic CrusadesNorthern Crusades, Livonian Order, crusaders, crusader, military orders
medieval chivalrytreachery
Deliberate violation of trust
cowardice · villainy · ruthlessness · dishonor · perfidy
medieval chivalrymodern warfare
Present-day armed conflict
total war · drone warfare · nuclear warfare · chemical warfare · trench warfare
medieval chivalryatrocity
Unforgivable mass cruelty
massacre · war crimes · genocide · ethnic cleansing · scorched earth