Greg's Guide to Chivalry

Chivalry refers to the medieval institution of knightly virtues, of honour, and of courtly love. A noble man followed an unwritten code of chivalry toward noble ladies above all, the knight was to be gracious and gentle. The idealized relationship between knight and lady was that of honourable and virtuous courtly love.

Greg's Code of Chivalry - Greg's Guide to Courtly Love - Greg's Guide to Practical Chivalry

Chivalry - Sir Frank Dicksee

Greg's Code of Chivalry

Chivalry was disciplined by a code of conduct that was clearly understood although it was never clearly formulated. Examination now, in retrospect, allows it to be reduced to this series of commandments.

• Live to serve King and Country.
• Live to defend Crown and Country and all it holds dear.
• Live one's life so that it is worthy of respect and honour.
• Live for freedom, justice and all that is good.
• Never attack an unarmed foe.
• Never use a weapon on an opponent not equal to the attack.
• Never attack from behind.
• Avoid lying to your fellow man.
• Avoid cheating.
• Avoid torture.
• Obey the law of king, country, and chivalry.
• Administer justice.
• Protect the innocent.
• Exhibit self control.
• Show respect to authority.
• Respect women.
• Exhibit Courage in word and deed.
• Defend the weak and innocent.
• Destroy evil in all of its monstrous forms.
• Crush the monsters that steal our land and rob our people.
• Fight with honour.
• Avenge the wronged.
• Never abandon a friend, ally, or noble cause.
• Fight for the ideals of king, country, and chivalry.
• Die with valour.
• Always keep one's word of honour.
• Always maintain one's principles.
• Never betray a confidence or comrade.
• Avoid deception.
• Respect life and freedom.
• Die with honour.
• Exhibit manners.
• Be polite and attentive.
• Be respectful of host, women, and honour.
• Loyalty to country, King, honour, freedom, and the code of chivalry.
• Loyalty to one's friends and those who lay their trust in thee.
• Offer and never refuse hospitality.
   

Greg's Guide to Courtly Love

From The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus

• Marriage is no real excuse for not loving.
• He who is not jealous cannot love.
• No one can be bound by a double love.
• It is well known that love is always increasing or decreasing.
• That which a lover takes against the will of his beloved has no relish.
• Boys do not love until they reach the age of maturity.
• When one lover dies, a widowhood of two years is required of the survivor.
• No one should be deprived of love without the very best of reasons.
• No one can love unless he is propelled by the persuasion of love.
• Love is always a stranger in the home of avarice.
• It is not proper to love any woman whom one would be ashamed to seek to marry.
• A true lover does not desire to embrace in love anyone except his beloved.
• When made public love rarely endures.
• The easy attainment of love makes it of little value: difficulty of attainment makes it prized.
• Every lover regularly turns pale in the presence of his beloved.
• When a lover suddenly catches sight of his beloved his heart palpitates.
• A new love puts an old one to flight.
• Good character alone makes any man worthy of love.
• If love diminishes, it quickly fails and rarely revives.
• A man in love is always apprehensive.
• Real jealousy always increases the feeling of love.
• Jealousy increases when one suspects his beloved.
• He whom the thought of love vexes eats and sleeps very little.
• Every act of a lover ends in the thought of his beloved.
• A true lover considers nothing good except what he thinks will please his beloved.
• Love can deny nothing to love.
• A lover can never have enough of the solaces of his beloved.
• A slight presumption causes a lover to suspect his beloved.
• A man who is vexed by too much passion usually does not love.
• A true lover is constantly and without intermission possessed by the thought of his beloved.
• Nothing forbids one woman being loved by two men or one man by two women.

Greg's Guide to Practical Chivalry

When women are present, so should there be gentlemen, especially in this age.

• A gentleman always defend the honour of a lady. (i.e. if an unhonourably man disrespects a lady it is the responsibility of a gentleman to restore her honour)
• A gentleman always respect a lady. (i.e. he should only speak honourably of her)
• A gentleman always take a route that is most suitable for the lady. (i.e. a cab ride instead of walking 2 miles in the rain)
• When walking down a foot path with a lady a gentleman will walk on the side closest to the road but when there is no road the lady is always on the right arm of her gentleman.
• When entering or exiting a room a gentleman will hold open the door for the lady and allow her to pass first unless the gentleman is concerned for her safety.
• A gentleman should be accustomed to standing for a lady when she does. (i.e. if a lady stands at a table for instance so should a gentleman)
• A gentleman orders for his lady at a restaurant.
• A gentleman is responsible for the comfort of the lady. (i.e. he will give up his coat to keep her warm)
• A lady will always feel special in the company of a gentleman.
• The correct answer to a lady from a gentleman is always a compliment.
• A gentleman will not only respect a lady but also the family of that lady. (i.e. he will ask her father for her hand in marriage)
• A lady should never have to open her own door or pour her own glass of wine while in the presence of a man.
• A gentleman thinks with his head and his heart and never testicularly. (i.e. a gentleman's relationship with a lady is more then sexual)