Chivalry
Chivalry is a code of respectful behavior toward others, including sportsmanship. It originated during the feudal Middle Ages among knights, mandating loyalty to one's lord and to God, and a manly respect for women as inspired by the Virgin Mary. The code of chivalry created strong warriors among knights while endowing them with morals and faith. The word chivalry comes from the French word for "knight", chevalier. The popular game of chess is based on chivalry, and a prominent historical example of chivalry was the self-sacrifice during the sinking of the Titanic. In 2022, an example of chivalry was Will Smith face-slapping Chris Rock on stage at the Academy Awards for Rock's unfunny joke about Smith's wife.
Leftists hate chivalry, perhaps because it is intrinsically heterosexual. By undermining chivalry, Leftists erode the cultural support of heterosexuality. Liberals hypocritically banned Will Smith for 10 years for his act of chivalry at the Oscars in 2022, even though movies depend on similar displays of chivalry in order to attract viewers.
Knights typically took an oath of chivalry before partaking in the Crusades, leading and protecting the pilgrims on their journey to Jerusalem. The Bible has many examples of chivalry, some subtle and easy to overlook (such as John waiting for Peter before entering the tomb). Today, liberal trolls engage in repugnant anti-chivalry behavior, particularly on the internet.
Chivalry today includes:
- sportsmanship rather than a senseless obsession with who wins or loses a meaningless game
- treating women with flattering respect, such as holding a door or standing for a woman
- protecting the weaker elements of society
- refraining from degrading or profane speech in the presence of women
- recognizing that certain tasks should be done by men, such as taking out the garbage or carrying heavy boxes
- supporting, and treating, women graciously, and adopting a work ethic to make that possible
- honesty and fidelity in business dealings
- avoiding gossip
- courtesy and humility in everyday life
- in religious terms, it can be the devotion and defense of one's belief
- minimizing competition between genders, and recognizing innate differences that prevent such fair competition
- maintaining a posture and demeanor that is respectful to others and to yourself
Chivalric romances, books which recounted the deeds of heroic knights such as King Arthur and Amadís de Gaula, were a popular genre of fiction in 16th century Europe. They were satirized (and immortalized) in Don Quixote, where an aging aristocrat attempts to apply anachronistic chivalric values to his own time, with disastrous results.
Chivalry and Education
The concept of chivalry originated from various codes of behavior that were impressed upon knights. This took the form of a codified Code of Chivalry in or about the 12th century, largely spurred on by writings of Medieval courtly literature. Medieval courtly literature glorifies the valor, tactics and ideals of ancient Romans. For example, the ancient hand-book of warfare written by Vegetius called De Re Militari was translated into French in the 13th century as L'art de chevalerie by Jean de Meun. Later writers also drew from Vegetius such as Honore Bonet who wrote the 14th century L'arbes des batailles, which discussed the morals and laws of war. In the 15th century Christine de Pizan combined themes from Vegetius, Bonet and Frontinus in Livre des faits d'armes et de chevalerie.
In medieval times, the concept of chivalry was instilled in the minds of all who became knights, as part of their training. Today, the modern notion of chivalry is often ignored in western public education - false notions of gender equality are taught instead. The lack of chivalrous education in the public school system is one of many reasons why parents may prefer homeschooling for their children. (See Homeschooling: Reasons for Homeschooling.)
