The idea of the Chivalric Code, or Chivalry can be dated somewhere between 1170 and 1220. It was never summarized or compiled into a single document at the time but the ideas it was based on were spread loosely and varied slightly from place to place.

Chivalry was associated with the medieval Christian institution of knighthood and honor, as well as how the behaviors of knights were governed.

The Chivalric Code had even earlier roots in the Holy Roman Empire where it arose from the ideas of military bravery and service to others. By the late middle ages, Chivalry had become, as many see it today, a moral system which combined a sort of warrior ethos, knightly piety, and courtly manners.

Before 1170 there existed the noble habitus which was a more general code for the behavior that should be expressed by all societies and classes. It taught many virtues from which the Chivalric Code took inspiration from.

This guide breaks down all of the ideas of the Chivalric Code into three main duties and I will also outline a list of virtues which are necessary when one aspires to follow this code.

In the fourteenth century, the Duke of Burgundy described the Chivalric Code by a list of virtues which knights should exhibit and uphold.

Faith
Charity
Justice
Sagacity
Prudence
Temperance
Resolution
Truth
Liberality
Diligence
Hope
Valor

The Code of Chivalry also had a famous representation in The Song of Roland which was written between 1098 and 1100. Count Roland was loyal to Lord Charlemagne and it was Roland's code of conduct that became popularized later on as the Chivalric Code. The song described these seventeen duties as the obligations of a chivalrous knight.

To fear God and maintain His Church
To serve the liege lord in valor and faith
To protect the weak and defenseless
To give succor to widows and orphans
To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
To live by honor and for glory
To despise pecuniary reward
To fight for the welfare of all
To obey those placed in authority
To guard the honor of fellow knights
To eschew unfairness, meanness, and deceit
To keep faith
To at all times speak the truth
To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
To respect the honor of women
To never refuse a challenge from an equal
To never turn the back upon a foe

All of these virtues and teachings came to be encompassed by the Ten Commandments of Chivalry, a more definitive version of everything that the Code of Chivalry was trying to convey.

I. Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches and shalt observe all its directions.
II. Thou shalt defend the Church.
III. Thou shalt respect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.
IV. Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born.
V. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.
VI. Thou shalt make war against the infidel without cessation and without mercy.
VII. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.
VIII. Thou shalt never lie, and shalt remain faithful to thy pledged word.
IX. Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone.
X. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and Good against Injustice and Evil.

The first of the Chivalric Duties is ones duty to their countrymen and their fellow Christians. This duty encompasses the virtues of mercy, courage, valor, fairness, protection of the weak and the poor. This duty also includes the loyalty and servanthood of a knight to his lord.

When one is truly doing their duty to their countrymen and fellows, they must be willing to give their life for another, whether that be for a poor man or a rich man.

Above all, a knight should be merciful and care for others, even for their enemy (unless of course that enemy is an infidel as caring for such people goes against the second chivalric duty).

The second of the Chivalric Duties is ones duty to God. The virtues encompassed by this duty are the virtues of being faithful to God, protecting the innocent, being faithful to the church, being a champion of good against the evil, being generous, and obeying God and God's law above feudal lords. All of the basic duties of Christianity fall under ones duty to God. Most importantly, with ones duty to God comes the duty to create war with the infidels. Infidels were greatly hated during the medieval period by those who followed the teachings of the Christian church and it was the duty of knights to put an end to their blasphemous ways.

The third and final of the Chivalric Duties is ones duty to women. This is the most familiar of the duties and is most associated with the Chivalric Code in the modern era. This aspect of Chivalry contains the values of courtly love, the idea that the knight is one who serves his own lady, and after her one who serves all other ladies. This duty is to have a general gentleness and graciousness towards all women. During the medieval period, women were treated with utmost respect and kindness. People, especially knights, would put women above others to ensure their protection and happiness. The idea of mass respect for all women compliments the duty to God well because this behavior originated from the worship of the Virgin Mary.

Thank you for reading my guide. One of the reasons I love Mordhau so much is because I love history, especially medieval history, and I know many others who play this game do as well. I hope some historical context and the virtues and values taught by the Chivalric Code help to enhance your experience with the game. If you have any suggestions or critique please leave them in the comments down below. Thank you for reading my guide! I have written a few other guides for this game as well so feel free to check those out on my profile.

Code of Chivalry
http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-knights/code-of-chivalry.htm

Chivalry
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chivalry

The Ten Commandments of Chivalry
https://www.tfp.org/the-ten-commandments-of-chivalry/

All images come from google images