MEDIEVAL CODE: ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS - HISTORY - 2024

The c medieval ODE was the set of ethical standards by which the Knights ruled during the Middle Ages. Although there was a way of behaving in the social sphere, this code was reserved for those who had received such an appointment. The origin is in the last times of the Roman Empire and in the Carolingian period.

It was then when there was an idealization of the cavalry riders, in principle linked to the nobility. Later, during the crusades, this is when these Knights reached their peak, as the religious element was also mixed in their behavior.

Although it had always been the nobles who achieved this honor, in the Middle Ages there is also a certain meritocratic component. Many must start their preparation from the bottom, being squires and pages, and demonstrate their worth and honor.

In the medieval code, extolled by literature, there were points such as justice, courage, loyalty, faith and nobility. All had to possess the so-called cardinal virtues, as well as the high ones.

Origin

Most authors believe that the beginning of medieval Chivalry and, therefore, its code, is in the late Roman Empire, with its equites and cataphracts. Likewise, the Carolingian horsemen were another of the clearest antecedents.

From there an idealization of these riders takes place, giving them moral and social values. Medieval knightly literature had a lot to do with this offered image. There are different theories as to where the concept of the medieval code actually appears.

Kingdom of France

Charlemagne and the Pope

For some authors, the origin of medieval chivalry is in the France that emerged after the disintegration of the Carolingian Empire. In this way, at the end of the 10th century the knights became the most powerful military body and, as such, accumulated political power.

Being a Knight was not just a matter of military prowess. You had to have the wealth necessary to maintain the horses and the possibilities to receive proper training.

Little by little, the skill-based differentiation became a kind of sense of belonging to a chivalrous class with its own behavior and values.

In the beginning, it was the warrior spirit that stood out the most among the Knights. However, an idealization of their skills and behavior was already beginning to take place in the literature.

The Church played an important role in introducing elements that moderated the warlike behavior of these Knights.

Institutions such as the Truce of God appeared and it directed part of its mission towards objectives related mainly to the Christian spirit, the fight against the infidels and against injustices.

England

Instead, other authors point to England as the place where the chivalric tradition began. It would have occurred after the invasion by the Normans of Guillermo the Conqueror, in the year 900 approximately. To protect the territory many young men were needed, who swore allegiance to the lords.

Those first soldiers were accumulating wealth and land as payment for their services. In the end, they became themselves a kind of class apart, with attributes previously reserved for the nobility and with armies of their own.

You had to swear a commitment to become a Knight. In this commitment they promised to defend the weak, serve the king and God, and be humble in front of others.

The Crusades

The last possible point of origin of medieval codes and knights is the crusades. During these religious wars to dominate the Holy Places, chivalric orders appeared, both religious and civil.

These knights had to defend the pilgrims and not allow the Muslims to recover the places already conquered. They were monastic-military orders, such as the Templars or the Hospitallers.

In the fourteenth century, when the Christians lost the Holy Land, these orders had to seek new tasks. For their part, the kings copied the structures and codes to found their own chivalric orders in order to shield their power.

Characteristics of the medieval code

In general, the moral code of medieval society was based on religious concepts. The capital sins and the cardinal virtues were the center that shaped the behaviors. It was about fulfilling the sacraments, all under the will of God.

The Knights were not strangers to this, although in their case there were some specificities due to their condition as warriors.

Not surprisingly, part of its code was designed to prevent possible abuses that could be committed. For that they were given a purpose of service and standards of honor and education appropriate to their condition.

Courage and courage

Knights were bound by their code to strive for perfection in all their actions. Not only in the military, but also in others related to his dedication to justice. Furthermore, they should be humble and not act seeking personal gain, but the common good and the defense of God.

On the other hand, going the most costly path on a personal level was a plus for these warriors. They had to assume that they were going to make personal sacrifices to achieve their goals. That courage could not be at odds with mercy, a quality that knights must possess.

Justice

Trying to always achieve "the right thing", leaving aside personal interests or prejudices, was another of the fundamental points in the lives of these gentlemen.

As mentioned before, this eagerness to seek justice should be accompanied by mercy and humanity.

Loyalty

Loyalty, both to the people and to the ideals that were sworn in, was an important part of the medieval code. The Knights promised to be faithful to their lords, to defend their lands and all theirs.

Faith

Religion, as was the case with the rest of the society of the time, was part of all areas of the life of the knights. They had to keep faith in their beliefs without allowing themselves weaknesses.

Furthermore, part of their struggle should be directed at defending Christianity against those who did not profess it or make heretical remarks.

Humility and frankness

The Knight had among his moral obligations not to lie, especially if it was done for personal gain. Among his personal qualities should be frankness, applied to every aspect of his career.

Generosity and nobility

The generosity within the resources that each one had was part of the virtues that religion contributed to the medieval code. In a way, it is a concept contrary to gluttony, one of the deadly sins.

Lastly, they also had to maintain nobility in their works and thoughts. To do this, it was essential to remain faithful to the virtues and obligations that he had promised. Even if it was not possible to achieve one hundred percent ideals, just trying would make the spirit more noble.

References

1. History and biographies. The Medieval Knight: History of the Knights of the Middle Ages. Obtained from historiaybiografias.com
2. Lobato Osorio, Lucila. The Three Axes of the Behavior of the Medieval Literary Knight. Obtained from parnaseo.uv.es
3. Medieval Spell. The Medieval Code of Chivalry. Retrieved from medieval-spell.com
4. Alchin, Linda. Knights Code of Chivalry. Retrieved from lordsandladies.org
5. Medieval Chronicles. Knights Code of Chivalry. Retrieved from medievalchronicles.com
6. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Chivalry. Retrieved from britannica.com