When Did the Age of Chivalry Start
It’s a phrase often used, well perhaps more in books and my house rather than on the street, but when did the actual Age of Chivalry come into being ?
You’d be forgiven for thinking it is all tied in to the Knights of the Round Table as so many people, including sources on the internet, make that connection - but the real story of men becoming officially chivalrous is . . .
The common misnomer of King Arthur and his Knights being responsible for men treating women, and indeed other men, with respect was brought about largely due to the romanticizing of the period by subsequent writers, especially Mallory, centuries after the fact.
These gave rise to countless stories and poems of chivalry not to mention numerous Works of Art
All of this was retrograde though - it all began hundreds of years later.
The Age of Chivalry Started in 1338
It is traditionally believed that King Edward saw some of his courtiers laughing at The Countess of Salisbury because she dropped a garter in front of them.
King Edward picked it up and so was born the Order of the Garter which continues to this day.
The King picked 24 of his best knights to start the order and they were required to
-
Serve God and the King
Do Battle for Their Good Names
Defend the Honour of Ladies
It is, by definition, old-fashioned, things have to move forward !
Indeed they do but do strength, honour, and integrity have to move backwards ?
Certainly not round here they don’t. I’ve always prided myself on strength, honour and integrity, they are the only things that cannot be taken away from you.
Being honest means, quite literally, I never lie, not even the usually convenient little white ones. I doesn’t always make you very popular but people who know me know better than to ask me a question which they don’t really want the answer to.
In the end not lying means you are believed - once you lie you lose a portion of honesty which means you cannot, to a greater or lesser extent, be believed in the future - there will always be a kernel of doubt.
I also like to think of myself as something of a Preux Chevalier as well. I behave like a gentleman in the presence of ladies, even when the ladies are not behaving like ladies 
. I never swear in front of women, nor do I chew and spit tobacco in front of girls either
I think women do like the “knight in armour” thing and like to be treated as a lady and shown some respect. I do wonder sometimes though as so many women are seemingly drawn to men who treat them like dirt - it sounds cliched but you see it happen time and time again.
Has time been called on Real Men ?
We could do a lot worse than bring back some old-fashioned decency and respect for others but I suppose it’s a lost cause, as are so many of the things I seem to espouse nowadays.
But at least we now know the history of chivalry, we even know when it was born- all we need now is to know when it died
Anyhoo, with all those virtues listed above it’s incredible I’m still single - the local girls and single women should be queuing up at the door !
Perhaps honour, decency and good manners are simply a thing of the past after all - no longer required or desired
Honourably Yours
Rod
Little Brother said,
June 27, 2009 @ 7:54 am
Rod,
Great post, very interesting. Now can we have a follow up post on ‘when the age of chivalry died’. Time has moved on brother, it’s not garters they’re dropping anymore
LB
Rod said,
June 27, 2009 @ 8:16 am
LB,
tell me about time moving on !
I’m out of place I know, but at least I can hold my head up - just as you can !
Cheers
Rod
Femme Fatale said,
June 27, 2009 @ 10:36 am
Rod,
I do believe that (speaking from what i know and have heard) women do fantasize about being with a man who treats them like a lady, ie, opening doors, standing when they leave a room, helping put their coats on and all round respect.
But the reality is most women these days are not used to it, as you say, we are drawn to the bad boys. I am not sure though, if it is the thrill of the challenge and the not knowing whats going to happen next or the excitement of not doing what others think you should, When I was younger, my parents told me to keep away from a certain group of lads as they were trouble, but I ended up going out with one of them and kept it a secret from my parents.
Its a difficult question and one I do not fully know the answer to, but I think the age old saying still stands,
“Treat em Mean and Keep em Keen”
( never try to analyse the female mind!)
FF
xx
Rod said,
June 27, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
FF,
outstanding comment - many thanks.
Interesting point about the fantasy side of thing, could it be we don’t really want our fantasies in real life ?
I fully understand the lure of the ‘bad boy’ image, that is to say the rock star, criminal, Colin Farrel style hellraiser etc but is there not a distinction between those type of men and those that simply treat people badly.
I understand the attraction to the guy who is a bit dangerous and ends up fighting outside the pub etc but they are not mistreating the women in their lives.
“Treat em Mean and Keep em Keen”
Now there’s a saying !
I think there’s some validity in it as well. I suspect it works because they won’t take you from granted and not really bother any more - complacency could be the problem !
The whole thing should be a lot easier than it is !
Regards
Rod
Little Brother said,
June 27, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
Rod,
Maybe I’m old fashioned but wouldn’t it be easier all round if we treated each other with mutual respect and care? Why can’t a man be a gentleman towards a woman and she acknowledge and respect that accordingly. Why a woman wants to be treated badly is, frankly beyond me. Who needs mind games? Call me boring but I can’t be bothered with it.
LB
Rod said,
June 27, 2009 @ 4:52 pm
LB,
absolutely !
It is a mystery to me as well but when you look around you see it all the time.
The 5 men I probably know the best are all decent, successful and respectful guys and what do they have in common ?
They are all single !
You’ll never see an unfaithful husband or wife-beater on their own.
Like you I cannot be bothered with the silly games, all I ask for is what I give, but that seems too much to ask for !
Best
Rod
Katy said,
October 17, 2009 @ 9:58 am
I’m always surprised to see this constantly about women liking bad guys and not good guys. Also about chivalry being dead.
I disagree about both.
Chivalry is not dead. I am a woman, and I hold doors open for men and women. I help someone if they drop their papers, I open the car door for my friends if they are my passenger. Chivalry now is just not about gender. It’s about kindness. What’s wrong with that?
(Sorry, I realise this is an old thread but I just came across it and thought I would comment.)
Rod said,
October 17, 2009 @ 12:08 pm
Hi Katy,
thanks for taking the time to comment and welcome to the site - hope you’ll return.
You make a good point and it leads me to think . . .
Why do we need a specific word or description for wat is basically decent and pleasant behaviour.
If everybody treated everyone with in just the way you and I would do Katy what a difference that would make.
Thanks again Katy
All the best
Rod