Study on the Book of Chivalry - 6

The study of the Book of Chivalry by Sir Geoffrey de Charney continues with the discussion of the responsibilities of the Warrior.

The author states the following:

And he who bears such a burden should fear lest he let it fall, for with great effort and endurance, in fearful danger and with great diligence, for a long time, stretching over a number of years, he has devoted himself to bearing this responsibility on his shoulders, and in one brief moment he may fall and loose everything,...So it must seem to everyone that such people should strive with the utmost diligence to ensure that they suffer no reproach against themselves nor against the bounties God has bestowed on them.   

The passage mirrors what in today's society calls "honor vs. shame."  What I mean by is that society gives exultation if not near worship to an individual who embodies a certain value or virtue that is celebrated.  However when that one individual does an act of what society considers unlikely or unthinkable from that individual, they hurl shame and disgrace upon that individual even when that individual is penitent.  For the Warrior, this is all the more true.  Therefore the Warrior must be one who is consistent and the same both in public and in private.  The Warrior on that same note, disregard the praise adoration given by the public, the reason being that societal praise can be compared to cheers given at a sport event with no genuine credit given or honor emphasized for the deed or virtue shown by the Warrior.  Humility to the Warrior is what car insurance is to the car driver.

The author then gives a source of where one who draw upon an example to derive how one must conduct themselves with this burden of responsibility/accountability:

We therefore learn from the good knights and men at arms whose great achievements and honorable deeds of prowess and of valor, have been related, described, and told above and which they have accomplished through suffering great hardship, making strenuous efforts, and enduring fearful physical perils and the loss of friends whose deaths they have witnessed in many great battles in which they have taken part; these experiences have often filled their hearts with great distress and strong emotion.

One will ask the question: "Why use the examples of soldiers?"  The answer is this: The Warrior is a soldier who fights the battles within his/her country or outside the country in service of the noble cause of Freedom and Justice (Freedom and Justice defined by both Law and Ideal and not according to current day politics).  The life stories from soldiers instills in the listener the somber reality of life and the renewing of the appreciation for the things taken for granted in regards to life.  For the Warrior, the individual bests learn from the deeds and conduct of soldiers and those who performed deeds of heroism with the intention of applying the lessons he/she has learned.


The author continues with the the value and importance of honor with the following:

....it is to be understood that one should not fail in any way to put great effort into anything which  might improve one's chance of winning an honorable reputation at any moment of the day or night; for the most precious thing there is to loose is time which passes, and cannot be won back nor can it return; and it can happen that such honor is won in an hour which one might fail to find in a year or indeed ever.

In our times when the notion or the concept of honor has come under the microscopic lens of scrutiny or outright attack due to anger stemming from feeling betrayed by a hypocrisy; it is of great importance to the Warrior that his/her Honor is to be guarded as a scared treasure.  True Honor is seen in our times to be synonymous with Integrity (which is true to a degree), however True Honor is Bravery in conduct towards friend and enemy.  True Honor is Self Accountability and Self Introspection which leads the Warrior with the desire for Self Excellence.  Indeed True Honor is in essence, living one's life with Excellence of Self.  Since in today's time, people if not society is quick to judge and even slander with or without cause, the Warrior must take every opportunity, whether it is a simple action or a choice with the positive consequence of making a better impact on people to build and refine his/her Honor.

The author makes this point when he states that:

That means that by your manners, your behavior, and your personal bearing you should so present yourself that your renown may be so good, so noble, and so honorable that you and your great deeds are held in high esteem in your quarters and on the field, especially in feats of arms in peace and in feats of arms in war where great honor wins recognition.

In summation, every action that the Warrior takes; whether it be a simple act of courtesy or a deed of heroism; must be done to maintain and increase True Honor within the Warrior.  The responsibility of the Warrior is the commitment to living by the standard of Excellence of Self, True Honor and Self Accountability. 

Remember this Brave Knight, the Honor that you have today can potentially be lost in a moment.  Guard it well, this is your burden, your mantle for life.

Study on the Book of Chivalry - 5

We continue further into our study of 'The Book of Chivalry" by Sir Geoffrey de Charney.

In this section, we will touch on the author's take on the valiant influence of a Valiant Lord and how does this relate to the modern warrior.

The author Sir Geoffrey explains how a Valiant Lord's influence has a positive effect in the following passages:

Thus you can see that one hundred men skilled in deeds of arms make themselves a name all the sooner through one great and worthy lord than would ten by two poor men of great worth...

for the great lord has them in his company and loves, honors, and values them and rewards them, and they respect him, love, honor and esteem him for the great valor they see in him in addition to the love, honor, reward that he has bestowed on them.

Nor are the valiant poor men as much respected and obeyed in time of action as are the great lords; but this does not mean that the good reputation does not belong to and remain with those who have earned it, whether rich or poor, and he who does most, the more lasting benefit there benefits there remains for him and the more worthy he is. 

The influence of those in command or who take upon the mantle of leader have the ability to influence his followers positively or negatively.  The warrior must be a leader who is aware of his/her ability to influence people to greatness or great deeds of heroism. The warrior is one who uses his position of leadership to the benefit and betterment of his/her followers and by people.


Yet the debate if not the argument is this: power corrupts, so being a leader is a gateway to becoming a tyrant or a wicked individual.  The answer to this argument is this: The warrior that is a leader is an individual who does not allow the temptation of power for self to get to his/her head.  Rather the Warrior Leader is one who uses his/her position to the advancement of heroism and the betterment of all people.  Vision ad Purpose guides the Warrior Leader in his/her thoughts and actions.

People in general always look towards action rather than a charismatic speech.  If this is true in our times, how much more true it is in regards to Warriorhood in our times.  The Warrior is an individual of action guided by Vision, Purpose and the Noble Cause.

The Warrior Leader exhibits the virtue of Humility and credits his/her followers for their actions or participation in a heroic deed.  The credit is shared to the group, and not allotted to the Leader.  While today's society gives praise to the single individual for a heroic deed, the Warrior Leader credits his/her followers along with himself.

Therefore Brave Knight, be humble and guided by Vision, Noble Cause and Purpose when you take upon yourself the mantle of a Leader.  Your followers look up to you, therefore be the example.

The German School of the Knightly Arts

In the study of HEMA, the Italian school is studied as well as the German school of Knightly Arts.

The Rhineland housed many masters of Medieval combat, I will not go through all of them, but I will mention the name of several masters whose names stand out in popularity in study, but also those who have more than one fight book to their name.

The first one I will mention is Johannes Liechtenauer.

Johannes Liechtenauer is the master of the Knightly Arts from whom the German fight books derive their source from.  In fact, most of the fight books are commentaries of the prose verses written by Liechtenauer.  In fact you can read the verses here.

His verses specialize in the utilization of the Longsword, the Sword in Armor or Half Swording, and Mounted Combat.

The second name I will mention is Hans Dobringer.

Hans Dobringer is the earliest German source for Liechtenauer's verse that can be traced and his commentary captures the the Art that Liechtenauer taught during the Mid to Late 1300's which is crucial in recreating the Art of Medieval Knightly Combat.

The third name I will mention is Sigmund ain Ringeck
.
Ringeck is one of the most studied and practiced in the many HEMA communities.  The reason being is that Ringeck's commentary on Liechtenauer's verses is straight forward and easy to understand.

The fourth name I will mention is Peter Von Danzig.

While Von Danzig is credited for his commentary on the verses pertaining to the Sword in Armor, the often mistaken text (Cod.44.A.8) which is another commentary on the Liechtenauer verses provides insights into the verses and techniques not mentioned  by Ringeck.

Other names within the study such as Paulus Kal, Hans Talhoffer, Peter Faulkner etc.

Yet one will ask the question, why bring up this subject?

The answer is this: the study of the German Knightly Arts adds depth and repertoire to the study of HEMA and its focus on verse interpretation adds richness to mental training which is a benefit to the modern warrior.

Now Brave Knight, study and apply, learn all and apply everything.