History of the Knight's Code and creation of the DragonKnight's Creed

   I'm not sure where to place something like this, because it gives history to what will be the main stay in which the community of Dragon's Haven's guardians will follow. The the DragonKnight's will be part of the community and will have to face the same rules as those living within the walls and confines of Dragon's Haven, they will also be sworn to uphold the DragonKnight's Creed...

   I am placing up the history of the Knights Old Code and the adapt version of the DragonKnight's Creed that has been developed to create the guidelines in which my handpicked DragonKnights will live and die by....

History of the Knight’s Code

Knights Code of Chivalry 

    A knight was expected to have not only the strength and skills to face combat in the violent Middle Ages but was also expected to temper this aggressive side of a knight with a chivalrous side to his nature.
There was not an authentic Knights Code of Chivalry as such - it was a moral system which went beyond rules of combat and introduced the concept of Chivalrous conduct - qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women.

 Knights Code of Chivalry dating back to the Dark Ages

   The Knights Code of Chivalry was part of the culture of the Middle Ages and was understood by all. A Code of Chivalry was documented in 'The Song of Roland' in the Middle Ages Knights period of William the Conqueror who ruled England from 1066. The 'Song of Roland' describes the 8th century Knights of the Dark Ages and the battles fought by the Emperor Charlemagne. The code has since been described as Charlemagne's Code of Chivalry. The Song of Roland was the most famous 'chanson de geste' and was composed between 1098-1100, describing the betrayal of Count Roland at the hand of Ganelon, and his resulting death in the Pyranee Mountains at the hands of the Saracens. Roland was a loyal defender of his liege Lord Charlemagne and his code of conduct a description of the meaning of chivalry.

 The Knights Code of Chivalry and the vows of Knighthood
The Knights Code of Chivalry described in the Song of Roland and an excellent representation of the Knights Codes of Chivalry are as follows:

To fear God and maintain His Church

To serve the liege lord in valour and faith

To protect the weak and defenceless

To give succour to widows and orphans

To refrain from the wanton giving of offence

To live by honour and for glory

To despise pecuniary reward

To fight for the welfare of all

To obey those placed in authority

To guard the honour of fellow knights

To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit

To keep faith

At all times to speak the truth

To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun

To respect the honour of women

Never to refuse a challenge from an equal

Never to turn the back upon a foe

   Of the seventeen entries in the Knights Codes of Chivalry, according to the Song of Roland, at least 12 relate to acts of chivalry as opposed to combat.

The Knights Code of Chivalry and the legends of King Arthur and Camelot

The ideals described in the Code of Chivalry were emphasised 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 Chivalry was publicised in the poems, ballads, writings and literary works of Knights authors. The wandering minstrels of the Middle Ages sang these ballads and were expected to memorize the words of long poems describing the valour and the code of chivalry followed by the Medieval knights. The Dark Age myths of Arthurian Legends featuring King Arthur, Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table further strengthen the idea of a Knights Code of Chivalry. The Arthurian legend revolves around the Code of Chivalry which was adhered to by the Knights of the Round Table - Honour, Honesty, Valour and Loyalty.

Knights Code of Chivalry described by the Duke of Burgandy

The chivalric virtues of the Knights Code of Chivalry were described in the 14th Century by the Duke of Burgandy. The words he chose to use to describe the virtues that should be exhibited in the Knights Code of Chivalry were as follows:

Faith

Charity

Justice

Sagacity

Prudence

Temperance

Resolution

Truth

Liberality

Diligence

Hope

Valour

The Knights Code of Chivalry as described by the Duke of Burgandy.

Each section of this Middle Ages website addresses all topics and provides interesting facts and information about these great people and events in bygone Medieval times including Knights Code of Chivalry . The Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of the Middle Ages!

Knights Code of Chivalry
Interesting Facts and information about Knights Code of Chivalry in the Middle Ages
Knights Code of Chivalry and the Song of Roland
People and events in the Middle Ages
Knights Code of Chivalry
Authors of the Middle Ages - Geoffrey Chaucer

RENEWAL OF THE OLD CODE

   It was the film DragonHeart, released in 1996 that brought back the Old Code of the Knight to the mainstream. DragonHeart is a film about a dragon and a knight who must overthrow an evil king gifted with partial immortality.
   Though the screenwriters compacted and compounded most of the Knight’s Code into Bowen’s shorter Creed, none of the true Knight’s Code was lost. Let alone the movie had one of the Best Dragon designs ever seen and still unmatched still today…

Bowen’s Old Code of Knighthood

A knight is sworn to valor.

His heart knows only virtue.

His blade defends the helpless.

His might upholds the weak.

His wrath undoes the wicked.

His word speaks only truth.

   Though most of the Knight’s Old Code is summoned up in just 6 lines of Bowen’s Old Code, those six lines still remain the bases and summon up the complete line of The Knight’s Code…

The DragonKnights Creed

Those who are chosen to become a DragonKnight will be guardians and protectors of the Lands, towns, camps and people within the land of Dragon’s Haven.

 A knight is sworn to valor.

 His heart knows only virtue.

 His blade defends the helpless.

 His might upholds the weak.

 His wrath undoes the wicked.

 To guard the honor of fellow knights

 To obey those placed in authority

 To guard the honor of fellow knights

 To keep faith

 His word speaks only truth.

All DragonKnights that fail to adhere to the Oath of the Creed in any way will face the punishment of IMMEDIATE DEATH…