Furthermore, these orders had the support of at least one pope and saint. These orders and others arose to fight for Christendom against Islamic invasion, especially in the Holy Land. It’s no surprise then that we saw the rise of the Knights of Malta, Knights Templar, and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre around that same time. The Tradition of ChivalryĪs great Gothic cathedrals, universities, and monasteries were being built all across Christendom, the honor of knighthood was also gaining prestige. The Oxford Languages dictionary used by Google has a fair definition of chivalry: “the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, especially courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak.”īut do we see such chivalry in any religious orders of the Church? You would think so, since at chivalry’s height the Church was also in all its glory. “I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. This concept is echoed in the words of Faramir in The Two Towers: Thus, it could be said that chivalry is at the root of the concept of what it means to be a gentleman. As such they developed the code of chivalry so the knight could maintain his fierceness while also cultivating a gentle side that showed how he fought for peace. This is the Code of Chivalry that emerged to meet the needs of the times in the high Middle Ages.Ĭhristian leaders saw the need for masculine fortitude afforded by the knights, but also a need for civility and courtmanship. Joseph should come to mind quickly.įast forward about 1,100 years and we discover the kind of chivalry of which we’ve all heard. One can speak of the Maccabees who fought chivalrously for Israel as well, but if we’re talking about the first Christian to demonstrate chivalry, St. We can say chivalrous knights followed in St. Joseph’s situation probably would have also divorced Mary, but Joseph chose love and sacrifice instead. If the child Jesus was the savior promised by God to his people Israel, there was no better reason for Joseph to put aside his pride to defend something greater than himself. He was willing to put aside his own pursuits for the sake of God and country. He protected Jesus and Mary, jeopardizing his own life in the process.īut perhaps Joseph’s most chivalrous act goes untold by Scripture. He risked much in staying with Mary, despite the reasonable temptation to divorce her, and despite Herod’s men being on the Holy Family’s heels for years. Making a connection between Calvary and chivalry is necessary if only to emphasize the way a knight puts his life on the line for the sake of what he loves. Chivalry was developed as a code for knights who were, beforehand, known for being one feud away from slipping into barbarism. Nonetheless, for the sake of Christian culture it seems fitting to make a connection between Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and the virtue expected of knights, otherwise known as chivalry. Calvary, or the place where Jesus was crucified, simply gets its name from the Latin name for the hill where He died, Calvaria in Latin. It’s therefore easy to see its connection to the word ‘cavalry.’ The word ‘Calvary’ may also come to mind when hearing the word “chivalry,” even though there is no etymological connection. “ Chivalry” comes from the Latin word “caballarius,” which means horsemen. And this is a virtue that may be lost if it is not boldly proclaimed. Joseph is called the “terror of demons,” but this worker of divine deeds also exemplified chivalry. Joseph, to remind the faithful of this saint’s virtue. This is just one of the reasons why it’s necessary, in this Year of St. Perhaps there is a disconnect between genuine love of Christ and the chivalrous spirit that once inspired Christian men in everything from defending Christendom to honoring women. Among all the causes young men are drawn to fight for these days, for some reason fighting for the Church is becoming less common.
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