Orders of knighthood

Knightly Chivalric Code

Knights of the medieval era were asked to "Protect the weak, defenceless, helpless, and fight for the general welfare of all." These few guidelines were the main duties of a medieval knight, but they were very hard to accomplish fully. Rarely could even the best of knights achieve these goals. Knights trained, inter alia, in hunting, fighting, and riding. They were also trained to practise courteous, honourable behaviour, which was extremely important. Chivalry (derived from the French word chevalier implying "skills to handle a horse") was the main principle guiding a knight’s life style. The code of chivalry dealt with three main areas: the military, social life, and religion.

The military side of life was very important to knighthood. Along with the fighting elements of war, there were many customs and rules to be followed as well. A way of demonstrating military chivalry was to own expensive, heavy weaponry. Weapons were not the only crucial instruments for a knight: horses were also extremely important, and each knight often owned several horses for distinct purposes. One of the greatest signs of chivalry was the flying of coloured banners, to display power and to distinguish knights in battle and in tournaments. Warriors were not only required to own all these belongings to prove their allegiance: they were expected to act with military courtesy as well.

In the years of boyhood, these future warriors were sent off to a castle as pages, later becoming squires. Commonly around the age of 20, knights would be admitted to their rank in a ceremony called "dubbing". Although these strong young men had proved their eligibility, their social status would be permanently controlled. They were expected to obey the code of chivalry at all times, and no failure was accepted.

Chivalry and religion were mutually influenced. The early Crusades helped to clarify the moral code of chivalry as it related to religion. As a result, Christian armies began to devote their efforts to sacred purposes.

The Code of Chivalry continued to influence social behaviour long after the actual knighthood ceased to exist, influencing for example the 19th Century Victorian perceptions of how a "gentleman" ought to behave.

- Knights Hospitaller, founded during the First Crusade, 1099

- Order of Saint Lazarus established around 1100

- Knights Templar, founded 1118, disbanded 1307

- Teutonic Knights, established about 1190, and ruled the Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights in Prussia until 1525

Other orders (Crusader movements) were established with the purpose of re-conquering the Iberian peninsula (Spain) from the Muslims. The orders were under the influence of the orders in the Holy Land. They are known as the Crusader movements of the Reconquista:

- Order of Aviz, established in Avis in 1143

- Order of Alcántara, established in Alcántara in 1156

- Order of Calatrava, established in Calatrava in 1158

- Order of Santiago, established in Santiago in 1164.

Дата добавления: 2015-05-31