Chivalry and chivalry culture in the Middle Ages is a unique phenomenon in European history, which not only shaped the image of knights as a social class, but also influenced the culture, morality and values of the time.
The concept of chivalry first appeared in medieval France, and its word is derived from the French "chevalier", meaning knighthood. This concept was first described in detail in the knightly epics of the late 11th and early 12th centuries.
One of the most famous chivalric epics is Chanteckel's Arthurian Legend, which describes an early formulation of the idea of chivalry. The formation of the knightly road was influenced by different cultural elements, including the military traditions of ancient Rome, the morality of Christianity, and the fighting spirit of Germanic tribes.
Over time, chivalry evolved into a refined code of conduct and social ethics. This ethic includes core values such as respect for superiors, loyalty to the king, protection of the weak, courage, and upholding justice. Chivalric ethics are combined with the Christian moral system, emphasizing piety, charity, and humility. The knights not only performed well on the battlefield, but also displayed civility and etiquette in court life.
At the heart of chivalry is respect for superiors and absolute loyalty to the king. The knight was loyal to the king, swore an oath of faithfulness, and was willing to fight for the king, even sacrifice his life for him. This loyalty was manifested not only on the battlefield, but also in court politics, where knights acted as important advisers and decision-makers.
Bravery is another core characteristic of Knighthood. Knights are expected to excel on the battlefield and to be resilient no matter what dangers they face. They take honor as their duty, never shying away from fighting, preferring to face death bravely. Knighthood regards honor as a precious asset, so it is essential to maintain it in battle.
Chivalry, combined with Christian notions of charity, encouraged knights to show love and generosity in their daily lives. They are taught to help the weak, the poor and the needy. This spirit of charity played an important role in medieval society, where knights often founded monasteries or donated property to support religious and charitable causes.
Knighthood emphasizes ritual and elegance, including court culture, poetry, music, and painting. Knights were culturally educated, often able to speak multiple languages, read classical literature, and participate in poetry competitions. The cultivation of this culture allowed them to excel at court and also emphasized the importance of cultural values in chivalrous ethics.
Chivalry not only shaped the image of knights as a social class, but also had a profound impact on the entire social structure. Knights became one of the main classes of power in medieval society, and they played important roles in the political, military and cultural spheres. The loyalty and ability of the knights made them important supporters of kings and nobles.
The emphasis on culture and art of the Knightly Way contributed to the flourishing of culture and art in medieval Europe. The knightly and court culture became important patrons of literature, music, painting, and architecture. Chivalric literature, such as the Arthurian legend and the knights of Terance, became highlights of medieval literature, spreading chivalric ethics and medieval values. In addition, chivalric culture encouraged the emergence of bards, who played music and sang epic poems in courts and castles, becoming the transmitters of knowledge in medieval society.
The core values of Knighthood, such as bravery, respect, loyalty, honor, charity, etc., have had a profound impact on modern morality. These values are still reflected in today's society, encouraging people to pursue high moral character and moral behavior. The influence of chivalry can be found in modern morality, moral education, and leadership principles.
Chivalric culture emphasizes the importance of rituals and vows. Becoming a qualified knight usually requires going through a series of rituals, including the conferment of knightly titles, sabers, oaths of oaths, etc. The chivalric oath usually includes loyalty and commitment to the king, God, the weak, and honor.
Knightly culture is inextricably linked to knightly equipment and weapons. The knight's armor, armor, shield, and weapons play a key role on the battlefield. These equipment not only provided protection, but also highlighted the status and honor of the knight. Medieval knights often carried weapons such as spears, swords, bows and arrows, and tomahawks to cope with a variety of different battle scenarios.
Chivalric culture encouraged knights to participate in monasteries and charity. Many knights donated their property to the monastery to support religious causes and social charity. The Knights' Monastery became the religious center of the Knights, where they participated in prayer, almsgiving, charity and showed their devout Christian faith.
Chivalric literature such as the Arthurian legend and the knights of Terrance became highlights of medieval literature, spreading chivalric ethics and medieval values. These literary works emphasize the courage, loyalty, and honor of the knights. In addition, knightly culture is also expressed in music, painting, architecture and other artistic fields, of which court music and knightly decorative arts have become part of knightly culture.
Although the knightly path reached its peak in the Middle Ages, its influence has not disappeared in modern society. The core values of Knighthood still influence people's moral perceptions and codes of conduct. The inheritance of Knighthood can be seen in the following aspects:
Knightly literature and artistic works have always been part of the cultural heritage, and they continue to influence the creation of literature, film, television series, and more. Tales such as the Arthurian legend, Robin Hood, and the Knights of the Round Table became eternal themes, reflecting a strong interest in the idea of chivalry.
Some modern organizations and chivalrous groups continue the tradition of chivalry. These organizations often focus on honor, loyalty, and charity to preserve and promote chivalric ethics. In addition, some honorary titles such as "knight" or "lord" still exist today, and while their meanings may have evolved, they still reflect certain values of chivalry.
