Concept
Chivalry
Overview
Chivalry, or the chivalric language, is an informal and varying code of conduct that developed in France between 1170 and 1220. It is associated with the medieval Christian institution of knighthood, with knights being members of various chivalric orders, and with knights' and gentlemen's behaviours which were governed by chivalrous social codes. The ideals of chivalry were popularized in medieval literature, particularly the literary cycles known as the Matter of France, relating to the legendary companions of Charlemagne and his men-at-arms, the paladins, and the Matter of Britain, informed by Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written in the 1130s, which popularized the legend of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table.
The code of chivalry that developed in medieval Europe had its roots in earlier centuries. It arose in the Carolingian Empire from the idealisation of the cavalryman—involving military bravery, individual training, and service to others—especially in Francia, among horse soldiers in Charlemagne's cavalry. Over time, the meaning of chivalry in Europe has been refined to emphasize more general social and moral virtues. The code of chivalry, as it stood by the Late Middle Ages, was a moral system which combined a warrior ethos, knightly piety, and courtly manners, all combining to establish a notion of honour and nobility.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
In the original texts
Passages from public-domain books where Chivalry is discussed.
Placed as we are now, near the close of the revolutionary period, we are beginning to see that Chivalry is not destined to extinction; that, on the contrary, when modern life has assumed its normal character, its influence will be greater than ever, because it will operate on a more pacific society, and will be based on a more practical religion. For Chivalry satisfies an essential want of society, a want which…
Auguste Comte, A General View of Positivism Or, Summary exposition of the System of Thought and Life
states what it is; names the idea; opens on it
For the Russian troops (summoned by a trembling Stanislaus and his Senate, in terms of Treaty 1764), and in more languid manner, the Stanislaus soldiery, as per law of the case, proceeded to strike in,--generally, my impression was, with an eye to maintain the King's Peace and keep down murder and arson:--and sure enough, the small bodies of drilled Russians blew an infuriated orthodox Polack chivalry to right and…
Thomas Carlyle, History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 21
states what it is; names the idea; author linked in the graph; opens on it
This mixed system of opinion and sentiment had its origin in the ancient chivalry; and the principle, though varied in its appearance by the varying state of human affairs, subsisted and influenced through a long succession of generations, even to the time we live in. If it should ever be totally extinguished, the loss I fear will be great. It is this which has given its character to modern Europe.
Edmund Burke, Selections from the Speeches and Writings of Edmund Burke
a chapter is titled for it; opens on it; names the idea
Certainly chivalry is too complex a fact for us to be permitted to assign it to any single origin. Let us say however that in the idea of envisaging the esteem of a woman as the highest object of human activity, and setting up love as the supreme principle of morality, there is nothing of the antique spirit, or…
Michel de Montaigne, Literary and Philosophical Essays
states what it is; names the idea; opens on it
But now, when so many Looms, improved Ploughshares, Steam-Engines and Bills of Exchange have been invented; and, for battle-brawling itself, men hire Drill-Sergeants at eighteen-pence a-day,—what mean these goldmantled Chivalry Figures, walking there “in black-velvet cloaks,” in high-plumed “hats of a feudal cut”? Reeds shaken in the wind!
Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution
names the idea; author linked in the graph
Philosophers who discussed Chivalry
Related ideas
- Pierre Bourdieu
- Gender equality
- Thomas Carlyle
- Ibn Hazm
- Industrial Revolution
- Just war theory
- Middle Ages
- Maurice Merleau-Ponty
- Miguel de Cervantes
- Nationalism
- Old Testament
- Late Middle Ages
- Roman Empire
- Renaissance
- Romanticism
- Walter Scott
- Nobility
- Francia
- Old French
- Victorian era
- Bible
- Ovid
- Crusades
- World War I
Place in the tradition
Part of Philosophy of war.