Medieval Code: Origin and Characteristics

He c medieval code It was the set of ethical standards by which the Knights were 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 era.

It was then that there was an idealization of cavalry horsemen, initially linked to the nobility. Later, during the Crusades, it is when these Knights reached their high point, also mixing the religious element in their behavior.

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

In the medieval code, praised by literature, were points such as justice, courage, loyalty, faith and nobility. Everyone should have the so-called cardinal virtues, as well as the higher ones.

Origin

Most authors believe that the beginning of the medieval Cavalry and, therefore, its code, is in the late Roman Empire, with its équites and catafractos. Equally, the Carolingian horsemen were other of the clearer antecedents.

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

Kingdom of France

For some authors, the origin of the medieval cavalry is found in the France that emerged after the disintegration of the Carolingian Empire. In this way, at the end of the tenth century the knights became the most powerful military corps and, as such, to accumulate political power.

Being a Knight was not just a matter of military skill. It was necessary to have the necessary wealth to support the horses and the possibilities of receiving adequate training.

Little by little, the differentiation based on the skills was becoming a kind of sense of belonging to a chivalrous class with proper behavior and values.

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

The Church played an important role in introducing elements that moderated the behavior of these Knights. Institutions such as the Truce of God appeared and channeled part of their mission towards objectives related mainly to the Christian spirit, the fight against the infidels and against injustices.

England

On the other hand, other authors point to England as the place where the chivalric tradition began. It would have occurred after the invasion by the Normans of William 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 separate class, with attributes formerly reserved for the nobility and with their own armies.

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

The Crusades

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

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

In the fourteenth century, when 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 cavalry 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 modeled the behaviors. It was about fulfilling the sacraments, all under the will of God.

The Knights were not unaware of this, although in their case there were some specificities for their status as warriors. Not in vain, part of its code was thought to avoid the possible abuses that could commit. For that, they were granted a service purpose and some rules of honor and education appropriate to their condition.

Courage and courage

The Knights were bound by their code to try to achieve perfection in all their actions. Not only in the military, but also in others that were related to their dedication to justice. In addition, they should be humble and not act seeking personal gain, but the common good and the defense of God.

On the other hand, following the most expensive path in the personal sphere 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 clemency, a quality that gentlemen should 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 must be accompanied by clemency and humanity.

Loyalty

Loyalty, both to people and to the ideals that were sworn, was an important part of the medieval code. The Knights promised to be faithful to their masters, 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 gentleman's life. They had to maintain faith in their beliefs without allowing themselves weaknesses.

In addition, part of their struggle should be aimed at defending Christianity against those who did not profess or make heretical observations.

Humility and openness

The Knight had among his moral obligations not to lie, especially if it was done to get a personal benefit. 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.

Finally, they also had to maintain the nobility in their works and thoughts. For this it was essential to remain faithful to the virtues and obligations that he had promised. Even if it was not possible to achieve the ideals one hundred percent, and only to try it produced that the spirit was more noble.

References

1. History and biographies. The Medieval Knight: History of the Knights of the Middle Ages. Retrieved from historiaybiografias.com
2. Lobato Osorio, Lucila. The Three Axes of the Behavior of the Medieval Literary Knight. Retrieved 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