Chivalry is a term based on the medieval institution which has an aristocratic military origin of training Individual and offering service to others. Normally it is associated with ideas of knightly, honor, courtly love and virtues. Orders of Chivalry are primarily, a phenomenal history, strange to Christendom of Western Union of the middle ages. Categorically, several institutions have been placed overtime in the order of Chivalry .It is possible to differentiate several phrases in the history of those institutions. The original form of institution in the time of crusade was worthy its name of order since it consisted of people who were held together by permanent religious norms of behavior.At the end of crusades in the 14th century, so as to come up with institutions, monarchs issued the trappings of the order to help accomplish their goal of putting vassals together for their people. Keen 2002
The older monarchial orders became purely horrific resulting to creation of other horrific orders still using chivalry order trappings. Today such disparate institutions exist such as the order of Holy sepulcher, the Garter bath all under the umbrella of ‘order of Chivalry though they differ in form purpose and in history.
The concept of Chivalry had such a greater impact on Christianity whereby, during the middle age, Christianity had a modifying effect on the classical concept of virtues and heroism, identified with virtues of Chivalry nowadays. Truce of God and peace in the 10th century was such an example, with directions placed on knights to guard and honor the disadvantaged members of the society and assist the church to maintain peace, Keen 2002. This encouraged the people living in that time to practice Christianity freely without any interference from that in power. The church became more used to defending their faith and liturgies came into existence which blessed a knight’s sword before going to war. The concept of ‘ knights for Christ’ was widely accepted in France ,Italy and Spain in the 11th century .Peace of God forbid knights from attacking peasants ,women, priests and merchants while the truce of God hindered the battles on Sundays and holy days, Mark 1997
Another importance of Chivalry concept was the attitude of Chivalry adopted by the sons of bourgeoisie who were trained at the aristocratic courts in the mannerism of the knight courts. There was an introduction of the courtesy books which were guides to the behavior of the gentlemen. Men were taught how to respect women and to handle them with such a greater courtesy and manners. A man was meant to adopt gentleman codes of the value of man’s honor, respect of women and to show concern to the less privileged to the society.
Establishment of the order of Garter was another importance of the chivalry concept. Edward III employed the strategies of the order of Garter to assist him stabilize his political situation, Mark 1997.His main purpose for the order of Garter was to attempt to galvanize aristocratic support behind the war .Such a great fighting and warfare called for a lot of support towards Edward III thus forming alliances with the nobility.
The order helped in the playing of the chivalric pretensions of the nobles and the use of membership of the order of the supplement to more costly forms of patronage. These unions amongst the nobles helped in the stability of political environment which resulted to improvement in the commerce and trade. Political stability helped in the development of new so as to encounter the surging trade and commerce.
Chivalry also played a significant role in the development of the heraldry system. This was a system of rules controlling adoption of family and personal devices borne of by knighthood as an aid to recognition. Heraldry allowed observers to record infamous or outstanding deeds on the battle field for recognition purposes. Outstanding deeds could then be awarded and this would boost the morale of the people to involve themselves in constructive activities, Keen 2002.
A combination of social systems was dominated by nobility with its own distinctive moral and ethical values based on the code of chivalry which was remarked to be durable and influential. This was yet another importance of the chivalry concept. Chivalry also had a positive effect on the context of education beyond the princely court and noble households’ unfolding its fullest expression. Chivalry concept also helped in the advancement of fighting skills. The young nobles and the youth were to serve on the military and the best way to acquire skills was through tournaments competition, Mark 1997. All calibers of games were practiced such as riding, wrestling, tilting etc.
Main features of Chivalry concept.
Christianity
During the orders of chivalry Christianity was highly regarded .Medieval messages described the primary role of the knights as to protect the churches. Chivalry was a force armed in the service of the truth .Prestige of medieval knights soared as the church emphasized the idea of Christianity knighthood. During the chivalry order, crusades came of age and glamorized ‘knights of Christ ‘and fictional knights such as Tritan, Gawain and Perceval became high medieval literature describing chivalry as the ‘’ fountain of courtesy…’’, Keen 2002.It came from God and knights posses it indicating that chivalry and courtesy were specific to knights. The church detested war and violence .It was against war but had to recognize it and even tolerate it to the point of justifying it.
Military
Another feature of chivalry was military which consisted of warriors who protected the society from the enemy. The violence of the warriors was not only justified by the church, but became an acceptable part of everyday life. The church Christianized the soldiers and their actions since they were unable to circumvent violent actions of the knights were described as the ‘’chastisement of wicked and for the glory of God’, Mark 1997.To them they could fight the battles of the lord and can be of surety to be the soldiers of Christ. Embracing death for Christ or making his enemies submit to death was seen as a glory but it was not a crime. Bringing to death the male factor was not a homicide but malice and one must be recognized as the average that is in Christ and the liberator of the Christian people. The warriors could learn fighting skills through tournaments and the sports that they involved themselves in such as boxing.
Social life
Romance was another feature of the chivalry. Romantic literature flourished particularly in Aquintaince and Provence, celebrating military prowess and courage in battles. The concept of courtly love, a revolutionary action which advocated for men to respect their women was popularized by Duke William IX in the twentieth century, Keen 2002. Warriors were taught how to exercise courtesy .Early stories indicate that arrogant youth were sent to court to learn virtues and chivalry. Men were taught how to exercise and adopt gentleman codes of the values of mans honor, respect women and show concern for the less privileged in the society. Everybody in the society was encouraged to adhere to the norms and the values o the society as it was required by the kingly knights.
Purposes of chivalry concept to the society
Several advantages or benefits of chivalry concept to the society were there. For instance the concept gave the society a positive image towards women.
It was the duty of the knights in courtly love that included appreciation of women and gentlemen, the championing of women who required defense or rescue and a whole code of behavior for speaking to women. Courtly love is what has evolved into romantic love nowadays.
Chivalry order also taught the society to exercise Christianity. Armies devoted their time and efforts to sacred purposes. Clergies came up with religious vows which required knights to bless heir weapons chiefly for the protection of the defenseless and weak, especially women and orphans. Political stability was of added value to the society since it gave the freedom to exercise trade and commerce thus improving their economical resulting to the improvement of the living standards.
In conclusion chivalry order has been of a great importance both to individuals and to the society. Chivalry concepts advocated for Christianity giving people the freedom of worship and safeguarding the faith of the society. Churches were highly against wars and violence advocating for peace and truce of God. Men were encouraged to be gentlemen enough to take care of their women and exercise courtesy towards their wife’s. Courtly love was meant to for the men to aid them be responsible to the society.Arrogancy was highly discouraged and those who did become arrogance could be sent to the court to undergo training aimed at helping them become good members of the society. In terms of war the warriors were taught arts of fighting through tournaments. Purposely this was meant to help in the protection of the society from attack and also taking care of the less privileged in the society.
REFERENCES
Maurice Keen .History of Medieval Europe. Penguins.1991
Maurice Keen. Chivalry. Yale University press. 2002
Mark Kishlansky.Sources of the Western. Reading in Western Civilization.1997
