Their History

Derived from French and English words of similar syntax.

Literally means warrior on horseback, mounted men-at-arms, knightly skill and gallant or distinguished gentlemen

This meaning that the “code of chivalry” is literally the code of knights (“middle-ages.org”)

Began in 800-900s Took flight in 1100s Depicted by Song of Roland which is

thought of as a chief example of the code a knight (or warrior) should abide by.

Coupled with courtly love, the chivalric code defined the (ideal) man of the middle ages (“middle-ages.org”)

“Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions.

Thou shalt defend the Church. Thou shalt respect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute

thyself the defender of them. Thou shalt love the country in the which thou wast born. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy. Thou shalt make war against the Infidel without cessation,

and without mercy. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they

be not contrary to the laws of God. Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy

pledged word. Thou shalt be generous, and give largess to everyone. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the

Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.”(Marshall)

Believed to be originated in the courts of Aquitaine in France in the 1100s.

Used in England between 1300 and 1500 Tool for showing affection towards a

knight or lady. Marital status had nothing to do with laws

of romance. One was allowed romantic relations

outside of marriage. (“middle-ages.org”)

“Thou shalt avoid avarice like the deadly pestilence and shalt embrace its opposite.

Thou shalt keep thyself chaste for the sake of her whom thou lovest.

Thou shalt not knowingly strive to break up a correct love affair that someone else is engaged in.

Thou shalt not chose for thy love anyone whom a natural sense of shame forbids thee to marry.

Be mindful completely to avoid falsehood. Thou shalt not have many who know of thy love affair. Being obedient in all things to the commands of ladies, thou shalt

ever strive to ally thyself to the service of Love. In giving and receiving love's solaces let modesty be ever present. Thou shalt speak no evil. Thou shalt not be a revealer of love affairs. Thou shalt be in all things polite and courteous. In practising the solaces of love thou shalt not exceed the desires

of thy lover.”(marshall)

Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales More specifically his tale of the Miller

(Marshall) King Arthur In Specific: his wife Guinevere having a

romance with Lancelot. King Arthur and the Knights of the Round

Table used as an example of the laws of courtly love, along with the code of chivalry.(Moore 621)

These codes are comparable today to the “Bro Code” or Man Law

These are the rules expected of each man (or bro) to follow.

Bro code and man law address such situations as relationships, and ways to act.