The Song of Roland - Charlemagne’s Code of ChivalryĪ Code of Chivalry was documented in ‘The Song of Roland’ in the early 11th Century Medieval period of William the Conqueror. This further enhanced the ideals of the Code of Chivalry. Every Crusader had to swear “to defend to his uttermost the weak, the orphan, the widow and the oppressed he should be courteous, and women should receive his especial careâ€. The Church sanctified wars fought on behalf of the Church which were called Crusades. The Public ceremony of Knighthood followed a deeply religious ceremony with blessings from the Church to go forward and protect the church by the use of arms. To observe fasts and abstinences, and every day hear Mass and make an offering in Church.Never give evil counsel to a lady, whether married or not he must treat her with great respect and defend her against all.The Knight swore an oath of allegiance to the lord and swore the following oaths:.The entry into Knighthood was highly ritualised which started with a Night Vigil in the Chapel of the Castle Medieval Code of Chivalry - the Oaths made during the Knighthood Ceremony ![]() The Arthurian legend revolves around the Code of Chivalry followed by the Knights of the Round Table - Honour, Honesty, Valour and Loyalty. The myths of Arthurian Legends featuring King Arthur, Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table further strengthen the idea of a Medieval Code of Chivalry. The idea and ideals of a Medieval Code of Chivalry was publicised in the poems, ballads, writings and literary works of Medieval authors. These sacred oaths were combined with the ideals of chivalry and with strict rules of etiquette and conduct. The idea of the Code of Chivalry were emphasised by the oaths that were sworn in Knighthood ceremonies. The ‘Song of Roland’ describes the 8th century Knights and battles of the Emperor Charlemagne and has been described as Charlemagne’s Code of Chivalry. The Medieval Code of Chivalry was understood by all but a Code of Chivalry was documented in ‘The Song of Roland’ in the early Medieval period of William the Conqueror. Instead, Malory seems content to describe these contradictions as they are without reconciling them, and without explicitly condemning them to hypocrisy.There was not an authentic Medieval Code of Chivalry as such - it was a moral system which went beyond rules of combat and introduced the concept of Chivalrous conduct - qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women. Besides, even this chivalric ideal is internally contradictory: the ideal of chastity is somewhat at odds with the ideal of defending a lady, for instance, and Malory never explicitly condemns Launcelot’s affair with Guenever-even though it leads to a tragic end-simply because their love is so strong and “pure,” and because Launcelot is such a skilled knight in other aspects. Malory thus shows how deep of a gap there is between the chivalric ideal and the sorry morals of those inhabiting it. For instance, only Galahad, who steers clear of both (mostly because he is so young and is also divinely fated to do so), can attain the Holy Grail, while the other knights are not “pure” enough-that is, they lack the greatest honor and chivalry. Indeed, Malory’s view of the knights and of Arthurian society in general often verges on the cynical, as he shows how various knights succumb to the temptations of lust or of the selfish search for glory. ![]() Conversely, Launcelot always grants mercy to a knight that asks for it, underlining his characterization as an honorable knight-in battle, if not in spiritual purity. ![]() Sir Gawaine, for instance, refuses to grant mercy to a man who asks for it (thus breaking part of the code) and, as his lover hurls herself forward to protect him, accidentally kills the lady-carrying the shame of this act with him for the rest of his adventures. Malory’s collected stories contrast the results of following the code of chivalry with what happens when a knight breaks that code or succumbs to temptation. ![]() This is a code that is meant to govern the knights’ actions throughout Le morte d’Arthur-however, Malory also takes care to show just how difficult, if not impossible, this code proves for many of the knights, as well as how it can be easily corrupted through circumstance and human folly. Chivalry includes showing mercy, fighting for good, and protecting ladies whenever they may be in harm. Every year, at the Christian feast of Pentecost, the Knights of the Round Table renew their oaths to follow the code of chivalry as proclaimed by King Arthur.
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