The Chivalry

A code of good behavior that knights would follow. Honor, gallantry, courtesy and generosity were often tenets of chivalry. More extensive coverage of the subject of chivalry: Medieval Knight Chivalry

Another term for a group of knights, as in "discuss it with the chivalry." It was a general term stemming from the French term for knights, chevalier. It became, during the 12th - 15th centuries, a term used also to describe the virtues and ideals associated with the knight as well, generalized by the use of the word in a broad sense. "An act of chivalry."

The collection of virtues belonging to a knight or the description of a virtuous action expected of a knight. Because it describes a set of virtues that changed over the whole medieval period, the meaning of the word evolved and changed over time, eventually merging with the concept of the gentleman. Modern tournament societies strive to embody chivalric character in their memberships, attempting to create different levels of authenticity and ethical standards. See also The Book of the Tournament.