Chivalry, Nobility, Loyalty...Huh?!

In our modern day culture... chivalry, nobility and loyalty are character traits as seemingly obsolete as the Medieval Days themselves. But as Robert Lewis writes in his book entitled, "Raising a Moder-Day Knight" these traits are not merely passing fades fleeting with cultural trends but are intrinsic to the nature of man and essential for his masculinity. This being the case - as I'm sure none would argue - then the question remains, what are we doing in an intentional way to instill these traits in our own sons, who by the way... do become men! (A phenomenom I still cannot fathom as I gaze at my own "knight in training" donned in pull-up pants)

Without mourning and weaping for the men of yesteryear, any mother so privliged as to have a tangible opportunity to positively impact this culture ought to take advantage and read Lewis's book. In closing I'll leave you with his words and not mine - it will serve to benefit your day greatly today!

"A Knight's Code of Conduct"

Once again, we can learn a thing or two from our medieval counterparts. From an early age, the page and then the squire apprenticed under men with social and moral ideals; they were personally trained in ethical standards that gave form and substance to life despite the morally hostile culture.First, a knight was expected to be loyal. In the words of Barbara Tuchman, "Loyaly, meaning the pledged word, was chvalry's fulcrum...A knight who broke his oath was charged with 'treason' for betraying the order of knighthood.

Next, the knight was expected to conduct himself like a champion. Every aspect of his behavior- whether in combat or in social settings- was he exude courage and valor. Third, the knight was charged to win the love of a women: to be romantic and chivalrous. And fourth, the medieval knight was required to practice generosiy, or largess. Sars George Duby, "The knight owes it to himself to keep nothing in his hands. All that comes to him he gives away."

The code exerted tremendous influence in sociey because, as Frances Gies points ou, "Many men in the Middle Ages embraced [he ideals] and tried to live by them: honor, unselfish service, dedication to justice, and protest against war's brutalities.

The Modern-Day Knight, like his medieval counterpart, must be trained in a Code of Conduct. According to Scripture, every son-from and early age-must be schooled in three critical areas I mentioned in the previous chapter:

A will to obey (God's will)

A work to do (according to his own unique design)

A woman to love

Lacking these elements, a son will flounder in adulthood; he will wrestle wih feelings of inadequacy, incompetence, and restlessness. But armed with them, a son becomes equipped to succeed in his relationship wih God, in his community and church, and in his marriage" (66-67).