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THE KNIGHT'S CODE: A TRAINING GUIDE: every book i read in 2025 (14/?)
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"the first edition of this noble book was written over five hundred years ago"
THE KNIGHT'S CODE: A TRAINING GUIDE: every book i read in 2025 (14/?)

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I said "for the love of Camelot" in exasperation the other day and one of my students asked "What's Camelot?" and anyway I think it's time to reintroduce my 5th graders to the Knight's Code.
What Makes a King? - A Concept Overview & Analysis
By: Peggy Sue Wood | @peggyseditorial
Above is my favorite scene from the manhwa King’s Maker (from Season 1 Episode/chapter 14).
I love this scene because it perfectly embodies the ideal of what it takes to be a just or good leader in the fictional world of this particular story (not just seen as one publicly, but actually being one). It's an idea that relies heavily on the concept of noblesse oblige, which tends to pop-up in stories featuring nobles, royalty, or something similar. While also expanding on this idea of the necessity for chivalry that draws its definition and history from stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round. In modern-day stories, I would argue that much of our current interpretations and ideas of knightly/chivalric qualities come from Geoffrey of Monmouth’s stories of the king and his knights as well as the tales’ later retellings. [For those that don’t know noblesse oblige is the idea of inferred responsibility from privileged people to act with generosity and nobility toward those less privileged and chivalry is defined as a knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code. Geoffrey of Monmouth is the author of the first narrative account of King Arthur's life that we know of.]
You see, as someone who has studied literature in school, particularly Classical Antiquity and where we've gone from since, I've always been really interested in this idea of what makes a King, particularly in stories where we see a fight for the throne because it's hard to maintain these ideal qualities in what is often a bloody battle for power among people who have little to no qualms about committing vile acts to maintain what they have or gain more power, money, etc. This question of what makes a King? is a one I find myself asking often when I read fantasy stories that involve any question of a throne or it’s inheritance. However, I use the term "king" loosely to encompass the concept of a rightful ruler as defined by the set up an author gives in their individual stories.
In popular works like Game of Thrones, in which we see much of the darker sides to knighthood, oaths, nobility, royalty, and so on--we see the grim reality of Geoffrey of Monmouth's time. In fact, some argue that Geoffrey's account and the focus on the knighthood and Arthur's reign amid war and beyond was a subversive aim to inspire real change among the dark abuses of power that many members of the knightly class, nobility, and above, held. In a movie like The Knight's Tale, we see this too in which it is the common man that depicts the embodiment of a true knight's spirit--one that is loyal, protective, chivalrous, deserving of love and admiration, and so on--rather than the majority of the knights born to their status. Shakespeare, who features many noble and royal families in his tales, also marks some of these qualities--showing audiences both redeeming features and cruelty among the classes (a rare depiction that landed him, at times, in the hot seat).
These stories draw me in, as they do many others, and I think we can draw a conclusion on the trials a good or just king, knight, noble, or other must embody to achieve their "throne" by the end--one that is a bit more clear than The King Maker's summary above.
Each potential "king" must succeed in a trail depicting one or more of the seven knightly virtues (defined here: http://marktoci.weebly.com/7-knightly-virtues.html), those being:
“Courage. More than bravado or bluster, a knight must have the courage of the heart necessary to undertake tasks which are difficult, tedious or unglamorous, and to graciously accept the sacrifices involved.
Justice. A knight holds him- or herself to the highest standard of behavior, and knows that “fudging” on the little rules weakens the fabric of society for everyone.
Mercy. Words and attitudes can be painful weapons, which is why a knight exercises mercy in his or her dealings with others, creating a sense of peace and community, rather than engendering hostility and antagonism.
Generosity. Sharing what’s valuable in life means not just giving away material goods, but also time, attention, wisdom and energy - the things that create a strong, rich and diverse community.
Faith. In the code of chivalry, “faith” means trust and integrity, and a knight is always faithful to his or her promises, no matter how big or small they may be.
Nobility. Although this word is sometimes confused with “entitlement” or “snobbishness,” in the code of chivalry it conveys the importance of upholding one’s convictions at all times, especially when no one else is watching.
Hope. More than just a safety net in times of tragedy, hope is present every day in a knight’s positive outlook and cheerful demeanor - the ‘shining armor’ that shields him or her, and inspires people all around.”
Suppose one were to look to the code of chivalry defined in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In that case, those virtuous qualities might instead be represented as friendship, generosity, chastity, courtesy, and piety/humility.
Failing to pass such trails, the potential "king" would instead display a knightly sin (defined here: https://chivalrytoday.com/knightly-sins/), and often, if not always, in a story suffers karma for such actions.
The idea of a Hero's Journey, a story form I'm sure everyone has heard defined many times before, includes these trails even though they are rarely explicitly spelled out in a summary of the form. This may be because many heroes rising, of which these "kings" are, already embody these virtues and only struggle with or require a trial against one of them.
As it stands, we can often see in advance a potential king's tragedy by understanding this idea. For example, we know that Wolfgang Goldenleonard, the prince seen above in The King's Maker excerpt I’ve provided, is going to be the King, birth order be damned. Will there be trails? Of course. And he passes them securing his crown at the end of Season 1; and continues to pass them thus maintaining his throne, which we can see currently in Season 2.
By extension, we can see the character's whose stories will end in failure based on how long it takes them to pass the knightly trails, if they even can pass them. For example, Richard III in Requiem of the Rose King, which is sure to end in tragedy--not simply because the Shakespearean plays the work draws on tend to end that way but because Richard’s character has changed from the loyal son/brother.
King, in this sense, could probably easily be replaced by the word hero or knight... but the idea stands that to make them worthy of their title they seem to need one or more of these qualities.
So as you read the next chapter of your favorite knight's tale, or a battle for the throne, or a rise to power--consider whether or not your hero/protagonist is capable of achieving these virtues. You will probably find that even the characters that seem villainous, like the self-ish Seo Joo-Heon from Tomb Raider King or Naofumi Iwatani from The Rising of The Shield Hero, pass the test we've defined here.
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--Else, wherefore born?
Idylls of the King, Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Scott Farrell comments: Humility has long been associated with the qualities of a chivalrous character.

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This is one of the best and most complete modern ‘codes of chivalry’ I’ve come across. From here, slightly tweaked for pronouns :) Prologue: Over the centuries, the meaning of "the Knightly Virtues" has shifted and changed with the times, and in truth has never been codified in a fashion that was universally accepted. What is moral and correct in one era, may be of little consequence in another. Conversely, great importance may become attached to a concept which was thought to be unworthy of the nobility, in bygone days. Simply put, it is the greatest duty of a Knight to have integrity and honor for the time and place in which they live. The Knightly Virtues, as listed below, are meant to inform those who would be Knights, now.
Prowess (Valor, Excellence): Strive for excellence in all endeavours expected of a Knight, especially martial, yet also otherwise. Embody strength which is used in the service of justice, rather than for personal aggrandizement and gain. Use your martial, intellectual, and moral strength to resist and defeat all forms of tyranny over the minds and bodies of all mankind. Remember that your mind will maintain strength longer than your body. Long after you pass, your declarations of word and stands for principle, if they are Knightly, will still have power to affect the course of events.
Justice (Temperance): Seek always to understand and follow the "right" path, unencumbered by bias or personal interests. Recognize that the sword of justice can be a terrible thing, so its use must be tempered by humanity and mercy. Seek wise counsel in determining that which is "right", while making clear that your acceptance of input will not abrogate your role as arbiter. Accept that your judgments will create both delight and anger. Yet, if the "right" you proclaim rings true, and you invoke it without bending to temptation for expediency, you will earn renown beyond measure. Learn the difference between enforcing the letter of the law, and living within its spirit.
Loyalty (Obedience, Faithfulness): Be known for unwavering commitment to the people and ideals you choose to live with, and have professed to others. There are many circumstances where compromise is expected. Loyalty is not among them. While your loyalty must never be blind, it also must never be for sale. Be prepared for people to condemn you for your loyalty, when they lack understanding for the basis of your faith. At times, you may stand alone, being loyal to what was, rather than what is. Your final loyalty to a person or cause may be this; to speak the truth to them, no matter how difficult that truth is for them to hear, most especially if they have done wrong.
Defence (Selflessness, Sacrifice): The ideal Knight swears to defend their liege, and all those who rightfully depend upon them. Always defend your nation, your family, and those whom you know are worthy of your shield. In choosing the role of the Knightly Defender, you acknowledge that your place is in harm's way, between threats and those you defend. Although this path may be hard, costly, and even seem bitter to others, the Knightly Defender accepts this as an honor, rather than an obligation. In such times, a Knight inspires all with their example and good nature, even their enemies.
Courage (Integrity, Honesty): Being a Knight often means choosing the more difficult path; often the personally expensive one. Be prepared to absorb losses in service of the precepts and people you champion. At the same time, a Knight must remember that folly and courage are cousins – pointless risk or sacrifice is not noble. Courage means taking the side of truth in all matters, rather than allowing for the expedient lie. Manifest your truth whenever possible, while remembering to temper justice with mercy. Be prepared, as the purest truths can bring grief. In living this, a Knight upholds the highest truths and surpasses the greatest tests of the human spirit. The Knight exhibits power, with integrity and control, while acknowledging their risks and dangers. Faith (Perseverance, Wisdom): A Knight must have faith in their beliefs. Whatever the Knight's beliefs may be, they root the Knight with the strength of certainty, and give hope in the face of despair created by human failings. Faith, like Justice, must never be blind, yet must persist without compromise. Yet, the Knight must not mistake stubbornness for Faith. Truly holding to this requires genuine internal reflection; taking time to carefully examine values, and why they are held. The Knight who blindly accepts a belief without examining its consequences does the same as blindly accepting orders which lead to certain destruction, without benefit, to them or those they defend. Wisdom informs Faith, and that which is learned to be untrue is set aside, without shame, in the face of new knowledge.
Humility (Morality): Value first the contributions of others, and give respect where it is due. Do not boast of your own accomplishments; if they are worthy, others will naturally do this for you. As much fun as it is to tell a good story, tell the deeds of others before your own, according them their own word-fame, rightfully earned through their virtuous deeds. Let your own actions be ethical, so they speak louder than your words. Let others see by your example, that the Knightly path is worthy of respect and emulation.
Largesse (Generosity, Kindness): Be generous, in so far as your resources reasonably allow. Be known as a giver of gifts, who expects nothing in return. Remember that your gifts are often more important to the receivers, when in the form of your actions and words, rather than material things. A kind word often lasts longer in a person's memory than any object. Consider that nothing belongs to you, that you are merely the custodian of what you possess, and giving freely will come easy for you.
Nobility (Charity): Live with dedication to the greatness of character, by holding to the virtues and duties of a Knight. Remember that these ideals can rarely be reached or maintained, and that it is the quality of striving towards them which ennobles your soul. Nobility influences others, by offering a compelling example of personal dedication to the most beautiful expressions of the human spirit. Be Charitable with yourself and others in your speech, your actions, and your intentions. Teach the Knightly path openly to any who seek your counsel, and encourage them to excel. Recognize that this can be easy in any given moment, but as with all of the Knightly Virtues, you will never be finished. In certain ways, living into their Nobility gives the Knight their greatest reward, for if they are successful, they will be surrounded by noble friends; a band of great strength against the forces of mediocrity, cynicism, cowardice and corruption. The Nobility of a true Knight creates other Knights out of those around them.
Franchise (Accountability): Seek to live these virtues as they were meant to be lived. Accept no compromises in your commitment. When you err, make amends in as public or powerful a fashion as that in which you made the error. Explain yourself in the simplest, most clear terms, and never make excuses. Own not only your own mistakes, but the mistakes of others when theirs resulted from yours. Maintain in all ways possible the appearance and station of a Knight. As you wish to live, you must live. You must comport yourself in the present as the person you wish to become in the next moment, hour, day, and year. Do not try to live this way, actually do so. Know that you, and those who serve in fealty to you, are a reflection upon your fellow Knights, and keep their honor safe with your own.
Do not restrict your exploration of these Knightly Virtues to a small world, or exempt some portion of your life. Do not display them only to those who you think deserve them from you. Instead, seek to infuse every aspect of your life, and all of your interactions, with these qualities. Remember that your expression of the Knightly Virtues is most powerful when it is easier to do something else, something lesser, and that living these Virtues creates a Knightly legacy. Should you succeed, in even a small measure, you will be remembered well for your quality, and indeed be worthy of the rank and station of a Knight. Let your renown and word-fame become your Knightly reputation on the lips of those who have met you, as well as those who never will.
And do you think any of those above-mentioned [rulers] ... were chosen to be lords to take their ease and their pleasure? Indeed no! Were they chosen because they did not love God and His works and the Holy Church? Indeed no! Were they chosen to harm the common people and to obtain profit for themselves? Indeed no! Were they created to impoverish their people and enrich themselves without good cause? Indeed no! Were they created to have power and riches to make ill use of them? Indeed no! Were they created not to maintain justice for the humble as well as for the great? Indeed no! Were they created to be cruel, without pity and without mercy? Indeed no! Were they created to linger for a time in idleness and to make little effort? Indeed no! Were they created so that they might eat and drink and luxuriously as they could? Indeed no! Were they chosen in order to refrain from taking up arms from exposing themselves to the perils of battle in the defense of their lands and people? Indeed no! Were they chosen in order to be cowards? Indeed no! Were they chosen to be miserly and not give to those who deserve it? Indeed no! Were they chosen to lead dishonest and ill famed lives? Indeed no! Were they elected to be generous to the unworthy and to bestow gifts on wastrels? Indeed no! Were they chosen to cherish and believe in the unworthy and flatterers? Indeed no! Were they chosen in order to send away from their company men of worth? Indeed no! Were they chosen to shut themselves up in houses where no one can speak to them? Indeed no! Were they chosen to lie and to break their promises, oaths, and sealed agreements? Indeed no! Were they chosen to commit, have others commit, of give consent to any misdeed? Indeed no! Were they chosen to have any pleasant relations of friendship with those who lead a wicked life? Indeed no! Were they chosen in order to take pleasure in listening to dissolute conversation or in watching worthless pastimes? Indeed no! Were they chosen in order to take pleasure in listening to malicious comments on others in their presence? Indeed no! Were they chosen so that when they meet adversity they cannot endure it or bear it? Indeed no! Were they chosen to be proud, arrogant, and cruel to those who serve them? Indeed no! Were they chosen to go and take their pleasure in sports of the woods and rivers instead of undertaking their great tasks? Indeed no! Were they chosen to be whoremongers or frequenters of taverns? Indeed no! Were they chosen so that they could despise and disdain poor men? Indeed no! Were they chosen in order to blaspheme wickedly against God or the Virgin Mary or the saints? Indeed no! Were they chosen in order to be idle and to do nothing? Indeed no! Were they chosen so that they could not and would not speak to those who approach them? Indeed no!
“The Role of Fortune”, ‘A Knight’s Own Book Of Chivalry’, by Geoffroi de Charny
Swear the Oath with me
Protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Find true strength by helping others rise.
Keep our promises, and never embrace deception
Always consider the olive branch before the sword.
Do not suffer injustice, wherever you find it.
Be honest with yourself, as you are with others
Be the fire in the darkness. Show the truth hidden in shadow, and provide warmth from the cold.
Swear this oath with me, and rise in the light.