When one studies True Chivalry, one automatically goes to the history books to find out. While this is fine, yet it is not enough. One can study it's history, yet it is another thing to study it's application from the historical texts that give their voice to how does one conduct their lives as a Knight.
When one studies HEMA, they study the martial application of True Chivalry. However, it is not enough. Martial study and application is incomplete without a study of warrior ethics.
Books such as The Book of the Five Rings, the texts of Sufi Chivalry give defining ethical principles for the Japanese Samurai and the Muslim Saracen, the same can be said for the Medieval Knight.
According to Medieval History, the ideal of Chivalry was discussed and debated over the years. However, three texts have survived to this day that give their voices to what Chivalry was based on. The texts are The Book of Chivalry by the monk Ramon Lull, The Book of Chivalry by the famous 14th Century French Knight Sir Geoffri de Charney and The Book of the Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry by the 15th Century Noble Woman and author Christine de Pizan.
These three texts give three differing viewpoints (religious, martial, and a female perspective). The ideal of True Chivalry is based on these three texts and its application to today's societal and cultural reality.
I am aware that most of you my readers may not have instant access to these texts but I have you covered. I will be doing a textual study of each of these books and I will provide commentary to each one to help you my readers to understand the principles discussed.
The first book that we will study together is de Charney's book which speaks a lot to practicing the ideal of True Chivalry.
Onward Knights of Courage!
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