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Chivalry: The Honor Code Of The Medieval Knight

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When hearing the word chivalry, what many people think of first is men opening doors for women, and that is chivalrous, but there is more to it than just that. In the Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, chivalry is defined multiple ways. Some definitions are “gallant or distinguished gentlemen,” “the system, spirit, or customs of medieval knighthood,” and “ the qualities of the ideal knight: chivalrous conduct” (5). Chivalry is a term that can be described as a term often related to medieval institution of knighthood referring to the codes of conduct, including courtly love, adhered to by Medieval knights with gallant knightly values, including honor, bravery, courteousness and honesty. (1) Not something we hear very often anymore, many people may not know what chivalry means. The code for chivalry is simply a handbook for good conduct. Comparing chivalry 20 years ago to now, many people would say chivalry is now dead. Chivalry was the honor code of a knight. A great amount of importance was placed on men being courteous to women. This importance lead to the concept of a “Knight in Shining armor.” Most girls grow up reading books or watching movies with fairytale endings; the princess is saved by her knight in shining armor. Every girl wants her “knight in shining armor,” but they don't entirely know what that means. Your knight in shining armor may be hard to find if you don’t know what a knight in shining armor actually is. The Code of Chivalry was essential to the …show more content…

The dictionary definition of bushido is the code of honor and morals developed by the Japanese samurai. Peasants longed to become the epitome of refined manhood, a samurai. Samurai originally meant “one who serves”, and referred to men of noble birth assigned to guard members of the Imperial Court. bushido had eight virtues of the samurai: rectitude or justice, courage, benevolence or mercy, politeness, honesty and sincerity, honor, loyalty, and character and self-control.

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