Elements Of A Knight's Code Of Chivalry

A Knight’s Code of Chivalry was a moral system which went beyond rules of combat and introduced qualities idealized by knights. These qualities were bravery, courtesy, honor, gallantry, and loyalty. The ideals described in the Code of Conduct were emphasized by the oaths and vows that were sworn in the Knighthood ceremonies of the middle Ages and medieval era. These sacred oaths of combat were combined with the ideals of chivalry and with strict rules of etiquette and conduct. The ideals of a Knights Code of Conduct were publicized in the poems, ballads, writings, and literary works of Knights authors. The wandering minstrel of the middle Ages sang these ballads and were expects to memorize the words of long poems describing the velour and

the code of conduct followed by the medieval knights. The Dark Age myths of Arthurian Legends featuring King Arthur, Camelot and the Knight of the Round Table further strengthen the idea of the Knights Code of Conduct. Sir Gawain showed all of these qualities throughout the book. He showed bravery by standing up and striking the Green Knight even though he knew that he had to find the Green Knight and be struck back. Sir Gawain displayed courtesy by staying with King Bercilak even though he knew he had to find the Green Knight. Sir Gawain’s honor was proved when he stood up to strike the Green Knight so that King Arthur did not have to strike him. Sir Gawain displayed gallantry when he stayed with King Bercilak and his wife. Loyalty was shown by Sir Gawain when he kept his word with King Bercilak. Sir Gawain proved that he displayed the Knights Code of Chivalry throughout the book by showing
bravery, courtesy, honor, gallantry, and loyalty.
First, Bravery is courageous behavior or character. No other knights would stand up to strike the Green Knight but Sir Gawain showed that he was brave enough to stand up to the giant green man. When he struck the Green Knight he knew that he would put his life before the Green Knight. He knew that after he agreed to the deal that he would have to stick to the deal. If he did not stick to the agreement that he would shame his uncle, King Arthur. So with that, he shows that he is brave enough to stand up to him knowing all of that is to happen. His bravery is also shown when he goes in search of the Green Knight to take the strike that he is owed. He faces danger while he is on his journey to seek out the Green Knight. He goes through dangerous weather conditions and fighting monsters all the while. For Instance, his journey north brought him to encounters against wild men and enemy knights. Gawain fought off wolves. Ogres and dragons in his travel. The winter winds and snow swirled around him as he threads his way through woods or hills. It took bravery for him to stay at the King Bertilak’s castle because he did not know what will happen to him while he is staying there. Bravery is shown when he goes and meets the Green Knight for a second time. When the Green knight struck the first time, Gawain flinched but he showed bravery by not flinching from the second strike. This showed bravery because Gawain knew that he would not be picking up his head and walking away like the Green Knight did.
Second, Courtesy is also one of the valued qualities in the knight’s code of conduct. This code of conduct requires him to have perfect manners, give delight to all with his conversation and, in particular, treat ladies with almost worshipful respect. Courtesy is showing politeness in your attitude and behavior towards another. He has a test in his courtesy. It starts with the conflict when Lady Bercilak attempts to seduce Gawain. On the first day, Lady Bercilak comes into his bedroom when her husband leaves to go hunting. When she approaches him the first day and tries to get him to sleep with her, he politely tells her that he cannot give her anything else besides a kiss. On the second day, she tries again to get him to sleep with her. But he politely tells her no more than a kiss; He gives her two kisses this day. On the third and final day, she tries one final time to get him to sleep with her. He again tells her no and gives her three kisses. While all these approaches are going on he never once says anything out of the way to her. She tries to prey on his desire and knightly obligation to be polite and courteous. Even though he knows he was doing something wrong he would not stop her from preying and offend her. Gawain must find a way to avoid becoming romantically involved with her without seeming rude, or risk behaving dishonorably toward Bercilak, her husband, to whom he owes knightly respect.
Third, Sir Gawain showed more honor than any other qualities in the book. Honor is high respect. Gawain shows his honor for King Arthur because he stood up for King Arthur when the Green Knight said he had to make a deal. Gawain did not want his king to have to do it so he steps up for him. No other knight there would stand up but Gawain was showing that he had enough honor in him. While in search of Green Chapel where he must face the Green Knight, Sir Gawain is tested by the lady of the castle he is staying at. The lady tries to seduce Gawain, but he does not fall into her trap by sleeping with her. Instead, Sir Gawain remains loyal to the lord of the castle who he has promised to be honest with, and the lady describes him as the “noblest knight alive.” Finally, in the conclusion of the story, Sir Gawain is very upset and embarrassed because he has been tricked by the Green Knight who turns out to be Bercilak, the king of the castle he was staying at. Gawain’s honor is ruined by the tests he has just endured, and being such an honorable man, he is ashamed to tell King Arthur and the Queen what has happened. Gawain is shown to be upset when he explains his journey to the king, “with rage in heart he speaks, and grieves with many groan; the blood burns in his cheeks for shame at what must be shown.” This is a clear indication that Gawain is very honorable man.
Fourth, Gallantry is polite attention or respect given by men to women. Sir Gawain showed that he was gallant when stayed with king Bercilak and his wife. Lady Bercilak tried to get Sir Gawain to sleep with him and without being rude he simply told her not starts with the conflict when Lady Bercilak attempts to seduce Gawain. On the first day, Lady Bercilak comes into his bedroom when her husband leaves to go hunting. When she approaches him the first day and tries to get him to sleep with her, he politely tells her that he cannot give her anything else besides a kiss. On the second day, she tries again to get him to sleep with her. But he politely tells her no more than a kiss; He gives her two kisses this day. On the third and final day, she tries one final time to get him to sleep with her. He again tells her no and gives her three kisses. While all these approaches are going on he never once says anything out of the way to her. She tries to prey on his desire and knightly obligation to be polite and courteous. Even though he knows he was doing something wrong he would not stop her from preying and offend her. He was trying to be polite to her because he is gallant enough to not be rude. As a thoroughly Christianized knight, he is forced to walk a fine line in defending himself. He cannot offend a lady, but neither can he give his hostess what she wants, because in doing so, he would be committing a sexual sin, as well as breaking chivalric loyalty and honor by betraying his host.
Fifth, Loyalty is a very important quality.

Loyalty is the quality of being loyal to someone or something. Sir Gawain proved he was loyal when he went against the Green Knight so that King Arthur would not have to risk his life. Gawain shows loyalty to his uncle, King Arthur, when he is the only knight to stand up against the Green Knight. Once Gawain cuts off the Green Knight’s head, the Green Knight’s body picks up his own head and declares that he will see Gawain in one year so that the young man can receive the return blow that is coming to him. Gawain is determined to follow through with his part of the bargain in order to show his loyalty to Arthur and Knights of the Round Table. He is also loyal to King Bercilak in two ways. One way is when they exchange what they get for the day. They make a deal when he shows up that whatever the king gets on the hunt that he will give it to Sir Gawain and whatever Sir Gawain gets he will give it to King Bercilak. He is loyal to him because he gives King Bercilak what he says he will. The second way is when King Bertilak’s wife comes in his room. Lady Bercilak comes into Sir Gawain’s room and tries three times to get him to sleep with her. He politely tells her no. He says no because he is loyal enough to King Bercilak to not sleep with his wife while he is gone. His loyalty is better than any other Knight that is part of King Arthur’s Round

Table.
In Conclusion, Sir Gawain followed the Knight Code of Conduct throughout the book.

A Knight’s Code of Chivalry was a moral system which went beyond rules of combat and introduced qualities idealized by knights. These qualities were bravery, courtesy, honor, gallantry, and loyalty. The ideals described in the Code of Conduct were emphasized by the oaths and vows that were sworn in the Knighthood ceremonies of the middle Ages and medieval era. These sacred oaths of combat were combined with the ideals of chivalry and with strict rules of etiquette and conduct. The ideals of a Knights Code of Conduct were publicized in the poems, ballads, writings, and literary works of Knights authors. The wandering minstrel of the middle Ages sang these ballads and were expects to memorize the words of long poems describing the velour and the code of conduct followed by the medieval knights. The Dark Age myths of Arthurian Legends featuring King Arthur, Camelot and the Knight of the Round Table further strengthen the idea of the Knights Code of Conduct. Sir Gawain showed all of these qualities throughout the book. He showed bravery by standing up and striking the Green Knight even though he knew that he had to find the Green Knight and be struck back. Sir Gawain displayed courtesy by staying with King Bercilak even though he knew he had to find the Green Knight. Sir Gawain’s honor was proved when he stood up to strike the Green Knight so that King Arthur did not have to strike him. Sir Gawain

displayed gallantry when he stayed with King Bercilak and his wife. Loyalty was shown by Sir Gawain when he kept his word with King Bercilak. Sir Gawain proved that he displayed the Knights Code of Chivalry throughout the book by showing bravery, courtesy, honor, gallantry, and loyalty.