Feudalism In Modern Chivalry

Over the past several decades, chivalry has transformed into something completely different than what it was considered in historical society. Chivalry flourished in western Europe between the mid-12th and the 16th centuries, and its rules applied primarily to the aristocratic fighting men who were called knights. The ideals promoted by the heroic code—bravery, loyalty, and service to one’s lord—were later softened by contact with the Christian church as its influence spread westward. During the Middle Ages, knighthood emerged as a feature of feudalism, the political, economic, and social system in medieval Europe in which kings and other overlords granted land to certain of their followers in exchange for military and other services. (Rossignol) Among other things, chivalry placed women on pedestals where they were to be worshipped and protected. Meanwhile, chivalry today is often used a term for “gentlemanly” behavior manifested through courtesy toward the ‘fair sex,’ honor, courage, loyalty, etc. (Abels) However, today, chivalrous behavior is benevolent because it flatters women and leads to their preferential treatment. But it is sexist because it relies on the “gendered premise” that women are weak and in need of protection while men are strong. (Smith) Due to the lack of understanding, modern chivalry is inaccessible to

But politeness and chivalrous etiquette are not synonymous. A key difference is that whereas nineteenth-century etiquette concentrated mainly on “precise rules of interpersonal behavior,” politeness though concerned with social performance, was also an attribute of identity and a social