The Knight’s Chivalric Code

Would that Christian Men Upheld it Today

This code is a summary of the basic tenets which were sworn to be upheld by Christian knights throughout the middle ages. There are various summaries and different expressions of the knight’s chivalric code of honor, but the following list captures the heart of what many of these lists shared in common.¹ Though our context may be different today I think we can safely say that our young men (and old men) would be better off if they imbued such a code in their own bones. Indeed our people need to return to honor and virtue if we are to be able to pull our civilization back from the brink. Why not share this with the men in your life and invite them to pledge themselves to such an honorable code?

A good Christian Knight swore an oath:

1. To fear God and defend Christ’s Church

2. To serve his liege lord in military valor and in faith

3. To protect those who are weak, vulnerable, or defenseless

4. To give aid and comfort to widows and orphans

5. To refrain from the wantonly insulting others

6. To live a virtuous and upright life, seeking glory for God, King, and Country

7. To despise monetary reward for merely doing what is right

8. To fight for the good and wellbeing of others

9. To obey those placed in authority over them

10. To guard the honor of one’s fellow knights

11. To uphold fair terms of engagement and honor in battle

12. To keep one’s word once given without exception 

13. To speak the truth and hate deceitfulness

14. To persevere to the end of any quest undertaken 

15. To respect the honor of women and preserve their virtue

16. To never to refuse a challenge from an equal

17. To never to turn one’s back upon an enemy

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. -Deuteronomy 31:6

1.  For more about codes of chivalry see The Book of Chivalry, by Geoffroi de Charny. Charny wrote his text in the 14th century to summarize, explain, and defend the Knight’s Chivalric code for a new order of knights in his own day. Also consider reading The Song of Roland, or Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.