Is Chivalry Dead?

[trayer]

It's only dead if you let it .

Trayer

[Mon-Jas Charan]

I have tried to lead by example to teach my boys, and my scouts ... Chivalry is the code I try to live by.

[tailonkae]

Don't we has Jedi Knights live by a Chivalrous code....
Jedi Knights may be fictional characters....but the code and creed for which the live by is very real and true...We as a group have a obligation to uphold this code and reflect it when we go to conventions or do charity events and show people that there are still nice and respectful people such as us still in a world full of hate and crime.Our very attitude towards one another or other people reflects not only ourselves, but the group we represent...

[Andle Di-Ranos]

I agree, if you have ever visited Kin Char Bamins page he acutally has an article he wrote on how we as people can keep the good morals of society allive like the jedi..

[tanzanlinnear]

As Tailon said, as Jedi we live by a certain moral code, but I think it is more in keeping with the Japanese concept of Bushido than the original concepts of chivalry (which I understand comes from the French word for horse...) I think the most important issue of behaving in an honorable fashion, is to treat everyone equally, regardless of sex, sexuality or ethnicity, and there are some aspects of 'chivalrous behaviour' that men will only do for women, but not for other men, so it is treating one sex differently to the other, which is why feminists seem to find it patronizing...

[Mon-Jas Charan]

Code of Chivalry

1. Thou shalt beleive all that the church teaches and shall obey all her commandments.

2. Thou shalt defend the church.

3. Thou shalt respect all weaknesses and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.

4. Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born.

5. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.

6. Thou shalt make war against the infidel without cessation and without mercy.

7. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.

8. Thou shalt never lie, and shalt remain faithful to thy pledged word.

9. Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone.

10. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against injustice and evil.

- Leon Gautier, The Decalogue

[Mon-Jas Charan]

The Seven Knightly Virtues
by Scott Farrell

Essential elements of today’s code of chivalry

There was no such thing as a “uniform” code of chivalry in the Middle Ages. Many people — from successful knights to contemplative philosophers — compiled lists of virtuous qualities, called the “knightly virtues,” which they felt defined chivalry. No two were exactly the same.

There were, however, several common themes found in these lists of knightly virtues. By combining these, we have created what we consider to be the seven knightly virtues of the modern code of chivalry:

* Courage
More than bravado or bluster, today’s knight in shining armor must have the courage of the heart necessary to undertake tasks which are difficult, tedious or unglamorous, and to graciously accept the sacrifices involved.

* Justice
A knight in shining armor holds him- or herself to the highest standard of behavior, and knows that “fudging” on the little rules weakens the fabric of society for everyone.

* Mercy
Words and attitudes can be painful weapons in the modern world, which is why a knight in shining armor exercises mercy in his or her dealings with others, creating a sense of peace and community, rather than engendering hostility and antagonism.

* Generosity
Sharing what’s valuable in life means not just giving away material goods, but also time, attention, wisdom and energy — the things that create a strong, rich and diverse community.

* Faith
In the code of chivalry, “faith” means trust and integrity, and a knight in shining armor is always faithful to his or her promises, no matter how big or small they may be.

* Nobility
Although this word is sometimes confused with “entitlement” or “snobbishness,” in the code of chivalry it conveys the importance of upholding one’s convictions at all times, especially when no one else is watching.

* Hope
More than just a safety net in times of tragedy, hope is present every day in a modern knight’s positive outlook and cheerful demeanor — the shining armor that shields him or her, and inspires people all around.

Each of these concepts is important in itself, and every one of these virtues is an admirable quality, but when all of them blend together in one person, we discover the value, and power, of chivalry today. Modern-day knights should strive to keep these virtues alive in their own hearts, but, perhaps more importantly, they should work to bring these wonderful qualities out in the people they see every day — at home, in the office, at school or on the street corner. A person who lives by the code of chivalry in today’s world allows everyone to see their best qualities reflected in his or her shining armor. [/size][/color]

[Cara Drume]

Wow...I think you hit the nail right on the head, Mon-Jas.

[himiko sabbrawrra]

We should get that as a poster with our jedi logo on it.

[ayanabashu]

That is exactly how I imagine a Jedi should be.

Is Chivalry dead? No, it's not. You have to look pretty hard sometimes to see it, but when you find it, it stands out like a beacon.

[Xorren Hedrasii]

Hey Hey Hey, I'm not mad about it, I'm just disturbed at the way the world is going. The only thing you did was to spur on my thought processes. Plus my sig and MSN name has changed.

[jedi12]

I like that mon-jas that realy fits the jedi

[tailonkae]

Mon Jas my friend...I agree with ....

[himiko sabbrawrra]

uendo said:

Finally, some people realized that chivalry isn't just being nice to women. That isn't dead (thought due to the HORRIBLE times we live in, it's quite close). I myself am that way for my girlfriend, wholy and completely, and Wannabe can vouch for that, yet, I say chivalry is dead. Because it is. Honour lives on as but a mere shadow in a few. Today it's every man for himself, anyone who tries to live completely by honour will be stomped.

Wannabe here is just mad because I said chivalry is dead a while back, he's been going a bit overboard on it. His name on MSN is the same as his sig. I'd just like to say here: Man, freaking calm down. What he thinks is chivalry is just courtesy to women. That's not actually right, and explains a bit of his weirndess is about it.

I, personally, don't live by the code of chivalry, I live by Bushido, just, leaving out the killing peasants parts and I trade out bushidos views on womens for chivalry's. It's a LOT like chivalry, with just a few differences and personally, I think it's better. (and it's much more like the way of the Jedi =P) I, however, am sickeningly kind and thoughtful to my other. I'm annoyingly kind to her at times. (I'm not saying I never do anything bad of course. I do like to pick on her just for the game at times ;D)

I believe only parts of what you said are true. Though I find it more common here in mississippi men being nice and opening doors for women.That of course is how they wee brouht up but then again in Michigan it was hardley seen in my area. So I think that itr really isn't dead.. just hidden in everyone.

[Nova Darklighter]

No Chivalry is not dead, I see it quite often in the city of NY.
Chivalry's root word is actually Chevalier, which is more like the french word for a Knight, later it was Cavalier. I might add that if you want to encounter it in the old sense of knights in armor, then join a group such as SCA or MSR, I know that I find it quite common among my friends in those groups, both when we're in garb at an event, and when we're elsewhere, it just seems to be part of the member personality makeup, and it's natural to the game. Mon jas, that's a pretty good rundown of what a truly chivalrous person should be, and the earlier thing of the Code of Chivalry has some right ideas, but of course it's way off base in the modern world.