Chivalry

Chivalry was the medieval code of behavior for knights. It mandated loyalty to one's lord and to God, and women were to be honored as the equivalent of the Virgin Mary. The Code of chivalry was not only intended to create good warriors, but also to endow knights with strong morals and faiths.

Knights would usually take an oath of chivalry before partaking in the Crusades, leading and protecting the pilgrims on their journey to Jerusalem.

Modern Chivalry

In modern terms, chivalry consists of the following behavior:

• treating women with flattering respect, such as holding a door or standing when the woman gets up from a table
• honesty and fidelity in business dealings
• avoidance of gossip, particularly by men
• courtesy and humility in everyday life
• protection of the weaker elements of society
• in religious terms, it can be the devotion and defense of one's belief
• prohibition of competition between genders

Sources

• http://www.chivalrynow.net/articles/chivalry.htm