The Code of Chivalry

From the time of Gilles le Breton a code of chivalry emerged in Bretonnia. This code grew out of the ancient warrior tradition and took on a religious quality under the influence of the legend of the Lady of the Lake. Devotion to the Lady rapidly became the dominant faith in Bretonnia, overshadowing and replacing the older beliefs of the Bretonnians.

Some time during the reign of one of the early kings of Bretonnia, perhaps Louis the Rash or Guillaume, the code of chivalry was set down in a formal and proper way, and the king appointed heralds to regulate the ranks and honours of knighthood throughout Bretonnia. The code of chivalry as established at that time remains almost unchanged to the present day.

The Seven Commandments of Chivalry

The Bretonnian code of chivalry requires that a Knight always obey the seven commandments of chivalry:

1. To serve the Lady of the Lake.

2. To defend the domain entrusted to him.

3. To protect the weak and fight for the right.

4. Always to fight the enemies of virtue and order.

5. Never to give up the fight until the foe are defeated

6. Never to break faith with a friend and ally.

7. Always to display honour and courtesy.

Before setting out on his errand of knighthood, a Knight Errant must vow upon his sword to keep these commandments. A Knight who fails to keep the commandments 'dishonours his sword'. It is believed that his sword will then fail him in battle, becoming blunted or even shattering in his hand.

The Rules of Honour

Apart from the commandments of chivalry, there are certain traditional 'rules of honour' which are adhered to and respected by all Knights. These rules are an important part of the code of chivalry. They date back to the very origins of knighthood in Bretonnia and mark out Bretonnian Knights as distinct from those of any other realm.

The most important rules of honour are summarised below:

• A Knight may only fight hand-to-hand; he may not use a missile weapon.

• A Knight shall always accept a challenge to personal combat.

• A Knight shall not draw sword against a fellow Bretonnian Knight except in a trial by combat or in a tournament.

• A Knight shall not allow himself to be captured.

• A Knight shall not retreat from the enemy.

The purpose of the rules of honour is to make sure that Knights not only maintain their own personal honour, but also the honour of the entire knightly class. Thus all Knights receive the respect of the peasants and all other classes and ranks of society.

If a Knight breaks any of the rules of honour, which is rare but may happen if he is up against overwhelming odds, he will seek to redeem himself. He can do this in three ways. One is to set off on the grail quest, another is to pledge himself in the service of a lady or another Knight of superior rank until his patron considers him to be redeemed, and the third is to perform a feat of arms of greater merit than his act of dishonour.

If a Knight is accused of dishonour or breaking the code of chivalry he has the right to defend himself in a trial by combat against his accuser or a champion appointed by his accuser if the latter is not a Knight.