Chivalry During The Medieval Ages

Chivalry is “a code of behavior that places value on the protection of others” (“Knights and the Traditions” 1) that occurs when the soldier or hero is “commonly a knight of outstanding courage, who chose death before dishonor” (Sweeney 2). Since the Medieval ages tended to occur between two golden eras, it was darkened out of modern societies thoughts. Most people would not imagine that a polite and honorable code would have been the outcome of such a miserable and dark age. However, overtime chivalry has been incorporated within the modern lives of Americans. During the Medieval ages, chivalry was considered the honorable code of the knights, which was strictly followed during battle and everyday life; however, overtime it has been evolved
Even though American culture expresses chivalrous acts through the military and citizens, chivalry’s roots begin throughout the Medieval ages. The code of chivalry differed from regions; however, the code often occurred “particularly in France in the later decades of the tenth century when knights had become the dominant military and political figures of the countryside” (Sweeney 1). The knights became a vassal to the king and a lord towards their people in the fief. Since chivalry was an element of the French, it was derived from the romance language of Old French and often referred to the “skill in handling a horse” because the knights would have to be skilled in riding a horse for combat (“Knights and the Traditions” 2). Often men were not given the privilege to be a knight without the skill of handling a horse within the battle field. Overall, chivalry revolved around the lives of the knights. However, the knights based chivalry off of the ancient Romans ideals and
The code arose because of other Christian enemies mishaps during battle and off the field. For instance, the weak were given respect since “honor is lost in wars that attempt to wipe out a whole category of civilians” (Rosenberg 2). Therefore, the United States military has incorporated respect and honor towards civilians during war. The military also has respect of the upper ranked since lower class officers salute high rank officers, which is a gesture that originated from the knight (“Knights and the Traditions” 5). Additionally, during the Medieval ages, the squire, a knight in training, would accompany the knight on the left side; therefore, the knight could grab his shield in a quick manner (“Knights and the Traditions” 5). The military is accustomed to the action of an enlisted soldier walking on the left side of an officer (“Knights and the Traditions” 5). Another gesture that the knights performed was granting medals (“Knights and the Traditions” 14). Today, soldiers are granted medals as well for their travail, dedication, and courage. Since the military and citizens perform similar actions that are related to the knights, the Medieval ages have influenced the modern society; therefore, most gestures and behavior aspects that Americans perform and have within the culture are derived from