Ideals of Knightly Conduct Courage Loyalty Courtesy

Code of Chivalry Loyalty Defense Maintain commitment to the people and ideals you choose to live by. Never compromise. Defense Stay true to the oath to defend the liege lord; seek always to defend your nation and your family.

Code of Chivalry Prowess Justice Seek excellence in all endeavors. Use strength for justice – not for personal gain. Justice Seek always the path of “right,” or unencumbered by bias or personal interest, no matter what the cost.

Code of Chivalry Humility Courage Do not boast of your own accomplishments; let others do this for you. Honor others before yourself. Courage Be ready to follow the most difficult paths. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices in service of others.

Code of Chivalry Faith Generosity Nobility Have faith in your beliefs, for faith roots you and gives hope against the despair created by human failings Generosity Be generous as much as your resources allow; generosity in this way counters gluttony. Nobility Hold to the virtues and duties of a knight, realizing the ideals cannot be reached.

Code of Chivalry The Ten Commandments of the Code of Chivalry I. Believe all that the Church teaches, and observe all its directions. II. Defend the Church. III. Respect all weaknesses, and constitute thyself defender of them. IV. Love the country in which you were born. V. Do not recoil before your enemy. VI. Make war against the Infidel without cessation, and without mercy. VII. Perform scrupulously your feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God. VIII. Never lie, and remain faithful to your pledged word. IX. Be generous, and give largess to everyone. X. Be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil. The Code of Chivalry an expression of feudal ideals of honor developed by nobles demands that knights be brave warriors and virtuous Christians who selflessly fight for justice From Chivalry by Leon Gautier

Feature these elements: May be based in fact Feature these elements: Heroic figures and memorable deeds Quests, contests, or tests Patterned events (for instance, events repeated three times) Included: Detailed descriptions Plot twists Sophisticated characterization Sophisticated characterization: descriptions of the reactions and motives of characters

King Arthur Was King Arthur real? No one knows, but his name has popped up since the sixth century, and by the ninth century, he was a folk hero.

Morte d’Arthur Written by Sir Thomas Mallory First English prose version of King Arthur’s life. Romance & medieval legend King Arthur battles his illegitimate son, Mordred, loses his knights and dies himself Values Chivalry, bravery, loyalty, warfare, honor, conquests, heroism Themes Love, loyalty, betrayal

Sir Gawain & the Green Knight Romance & medieval legend Values Heroism, honor, chivalry, bravery, beauty, honesty, loyalty Gawain is Arthur’s loyal nephew; he is tested by three challenges Gawain is admirable, but not invulnerable A comedy/satire of manners A Christian view of character and its destiny Vivid descriptions Lively language Dramatic picture of life in medieval times Skillful use of alliterations and rhyme