The Path of Chivalry

A Knight's Mission

The knight's main mission in life was to display his knightly virtues and to serve God. To prove this, a knight would go out into the world and display to others his knightly virtues. Knights would often aid the poor, protect villages, hunt down bandits, or serve in the military. Along with their deeds, their steeds would go as well. A knight's horse was considered as close as family, as their importance to their knightly owners were considered sacred. Horses would even eat with their masters nearby the dinner table when tents were set up. The bond between horse, knight, and chivalry, however, comes to the ultimate test when jousting is involved.

Jousting was the most honorable sport to take part in of as knight. It was a boy's dream to even watch the tournament in person. To win a jousting tournament would give the knight the greatest spotlight, but even more, bring their lady honor. Knights from around the country would compete in order to give their ladies the highest status. In addition, the tournament offered prizes, and amount of tournaments won by the knight would also boost his own honor. They would appear in the most glamorous fashion, adoring their coat of arms with colorful capes and flashy tassels. They would decorate their horses with the finest silks, jeweled reins, and jingling bells. Both a knight's and horse's armor would be polished so well that they would gleam in the sun and reflect the crowd's happy faces.

They would wave to their ladies, showing the crowd their deep love for their lady. Serving and pleasing their lady was as important as the code of chivalry. A knight would do whatever possible to make sure their lady would obtain her deepest desires. A lady and knight were allowed to show their love towards one another, despite their martial state, to the public. Hugging, kissing, and other small acts of love were considered a great knightly feat. However, any sexual relationships between the two were banned. A knight had to follow the laws of courtship in order to serve a lady, as any sexual relationship with their lady could threaten their lady's choices involving arranged marriage.

Instead, knights would have tokens of their lady's affection during the tournament, such as scarves, pantyhose, scraps of their dress, or other objects. They would then wear these tokens anywhere on their armor, or wrap them around their lance just before the joust began. Afterwards, they would get into their positions, and the joust would commence. Nobles would watch in anticipation as knights clashed against one other. Jousts were filled with excitement, glee, and competition. If time allowed, squires at times would have the chance to joust one another. After the joust was done, the winners were announced, the prizes were awarded, and a huge party was held by the king. Before the party started, the knight was honored, as well as his lady of honor. This was enough to satisfy the knight for the hour, and soon enough, the knight would pursue glory again.

An honorable knight was considered a hero who would risk their life to protect the innocent. They are the ones who would give a rose to their lady, but the thorns to their enemies. True medieval chivalry may have ended in the fifteenth century, yet does that mean chivalry is dead? Many argue in the present how kids these days are misbehaving more than ever, but that has always happened. People today still know the morals of respect. You may see a person hold the door for someone else, or say "bless you" to a person who sneezes. These acts might seem very small, but they actually link to a much larger aspect. These types of actions would be considered "knightly" back in the day, as you were giving your respect to another person. There may not be a real "knight in shining armor", yet someone can still observe good morals. In conclusion, a knight strictly followed the code of chivalry to protect all of what was good God created in the world. There may be evil, but the good still exists. The knight has taught the future to be more aware of your connections and the decisions made in life.

 Depending on how you treat others, it may lead to positive relationships and glorious outcomes.