Chivalry and Conduct: Knights in the 13th Century

In the 13th century, knights were held to a high standard in society; not only because of their military skills and fighting abilities, but because of their gentlemanly behavior and activities in the community. The church created a code of manners (according to Barbara W. Tuchman) that helped put the knights in favor in the church as well as put the knight's prowess with a blade to use. In the excerpt of Barbara W. Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror", she goes in depth about the code of manners and behaviors that the knights of the 13th century had to follow to be held honorable at that time. Knights in the 1300's were given a code of manners that they went by to be the best of a Gentleman, Lovers, Fighters, and to be a great man in total.

The Code of Manners that was blanketed over all knights (which made them theoretical brothers) covered almost every aspect of

Honor was the points that fueled a knights status and how one was viewed by all. Relating to honor, Tournaments back in that day were huge festivals of honor and prowess. When knights weren’t out fighting battles, courting with maidens, or doing the bidding of their lords, they were pretty bored. Tournaments offered gains in prowess, honor, and “brownie points” for their image in the society without actually using strategy or tactics like in real battles. Tuchman writes on how tournaments were like fantasylands for romantic love, true love, physical love, honor, and amazing feats of skill and strength. Tournaments were great opportunities for knights to show their skills for their lords, the general audience, and especially the ladies (according to Tuchman). The courtly love that Tuchman writes about (that was produced a lot at tournaments) was considered good by men because it gave them a responsibility in their lives to be better men, preserve their honor, never let dishonor touch him, and all for the lady he was in love