This is a list of a dozen knightly virtues, with an opinion of what they may mean. I originally started this essay for my squires, Lucas d' Avignon (who has these virtues listed on his squires belt) and Romano Illyrias (who doesn’t, because he doesn’t read much) and for Wystan of Wallesende, who sent me a request for information a long time ago and I never really answered his questions.
I believe that trying to understand and live by these virtues is a worthy endeavor and practicing them is reward in itself, the benefits far outweighing the costs. Be you lady, King, knight, squire, pauper, servant, merchant or child you will benefit from considering this noble code.
Imagine for a moment, you are in a shield wall, a famous Duke is charging your unit, he leaps towards your shield man, you can see a spearman lining him up. But you decide to pole axe him in the ribs, just to be sure!
Later that battle (same shield wall) a fighter you helped authorize two hours earlier is charging your unit, he leaps towards your shield man, you can see a spearman lining him up ... you hold your blow.
You have just exhibited measure. Why? The rules of engagement clearly allow you to attack both fighters. What was different?
There are several differences: the Duke regularly defeats small units single handed whereas the new fighter remembers every fight he has ever won. While crushing him into the ground may be a valuable lesson in "why not to attack units by yourself", it is a lesson perhaps best left for another day. In this case, you have moderated your behavior and shown appropriate restraint, or measure.
Justice is oft portrayed as a blindfolded lady with a sword in one hand and a set of scales in the other. The three most important elements of justice are:
In an organization that survives on donations of volunteer labor, someone would have to behave quite poorly before they legitimately were given some form of punishment. Indeed, while the carrot and the stick may be used to motivate a donkey, because of the nature of our society, we must rely mostly on the carrot, saving the stick for only those worst offences.
Given that punishment must be rare, injustice will most often be done by not rewarding members contributions fairly. While I would doubt that this injustice is ever done deliberately, it certainly happens, and is mostly done out of ignorance.
I once talked to a Queen who said that she “would give an award of arms to anyone that she received a single recommendation for”. She stated that it only took a few minutes to do this and that it was very important to her that people were recognized as having joined the club.
A Baron and Baroness in Lochac were in the habit of inviting all new members to sit with them at the high table at their first feast. This allowed them to become better acquainted, learn what their interests were and ultimately make use of them as a member of the group. Not only did this assist them when it came time to recognize someone’s efforts, it also meant they had knew who they call on to assist with the next event.
Most of us are honest enough that we won't steal things that don’t belong to us. This is an important aspect of honesty.
Another important aspect is when you talk about other people. If you criticize too often, you’ll be seen as being overly critical. If you praise everyone often, your praise will be like a clipped coin. The important part when discussing others is sincerity. Do you really believe what you’re saying, or are you saying what someone else wants you to say?
The 9th Commandment in the Old Testament is "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."
I was talking to a knight who had just walked off the archery field, he'd had a shocking round and the person he was shooting with complemented him saying he'd "had an excellent round". The knight was baffled. The intent of the words were clear, the person was trying to be polite by paying a complement. But the message was insincere. It may have been better to say "I've seen you shoot a lot better". This statement is true, acknowledges the skill the person usually has and would probably illicit a grin of agreement.
Which of these statements sounds sincere?
A good friend, an unskilled artisan, is touting for business. They have almost convinced an unwary shopper to order a complex piece of merchandise from them, to be made up to very specific requirements. You know the shopper is particular – their garb is fantastic – their accoutrement of museum reproduction quality. You also know the merchant (while well meaning) cannot deliver the item as promised. The artisan invites you into the conversation to vouch for them. What would you do?
It can sometimes be hard to be honest.
I've heard people say that it takes courage to accept a killing blow and accept defeat, when the prize is before your eyes and nobody else would ever know the blow wasn't good. They are wrong. This is Honesty, not Courage.
Courage is facing up to fear. Fear is very real and can be very disabling. Fear need not be rational to be disabling. Shyness is a form of fear - and it can be overcome.
Imagine for a moment, in the red corner, a good fighter, with ten years experience and armour that has been beaten to the shape of their body by three thousand fight practices. They have a large barn door strapped to their arm and a heavy sword called "rhino slayer". He hits like a small truck. In the blue corner, a beginner, recently authorized, in loan armour. They have a shield smaller then the bruise on their left buttock which is throbbing with pain. The beginner has never beaten the experienced fighter in any previous encounters. They come face to face in a tourney. "Lay on" is called, the new fighter steps forward, not backwards.
This is courage!
It is difficult for an experienced fighter to display courage on our battlefield. Courage is more often displayed by new and unskilled fighter who won't back down, even when the know they are about to be dealt another painful lesson. It is hard to display courage when you win most of your bouts, make the finals of most tournaments and haven't had a bruise from combat in six months. Don't be stupid though – If you have a bruise bigger than your shield, stick some padding down your trousers and get a bigger shield!
Ultimately, regardless of the support of friends, your fear must be faced alone because the battle is inside your head. I had a fear of deep water for over fifteen years (getting caught in a rip and half drowned can do that). In the end I faced this fear down, snorkeling in Rarotonga on my honeymoon. It would have been difficult for anyone around me to imagine that walking into that calm lagoon held as much terror for me as a walking onto a busy motorway would to a blind man.
The best part of facing down your fears is, it becomes easier!
Bragging and posturing are usually an attempt by a person to reassure themselves of their own ability. When people are truly confident of their ability, they no longer need to convince others of this. This is not to say that people who brag and posture lack skill - what they lack is an inner conviction in their ability.
As bad in its own way as bragging and posturing, is false humility. It sometimes seems to me that people trying to appear humble are fishing for complements.
In my minds eye, my picture of the perfect knight is a healthy and cheerful man who when he takes the field makes the blood of Dukes and Kings run cold and yet is so gentle that children would swing on his beard without fear of punishment. When his lady cuffs him for some slight, imagined or otherwise, she does so in the absolute knowledge that he would never lift his hand to her in anger.
In Morte d Arthur, Gawain is assisting a lady on her quest (against her will) and she torments him continuously, through one challenge and another, until eventually, she recognizes the nobility in him and apologizes. He replies, “what knight would amount to anything, that could not suffer a woman’s tongue?”
Support your household, your local group, officers, Baron and Baroness and Crown. Even if you don't agree with how things are done, respect the people who have the courage of taking on the mostly thankless jobs of running the SCA. They need your support - and you look better for giving it.
I believe that, in period, Loyalty was the most valued knightly virtue. What use after all is prowess without loyalty?
I once asked a famous duke what he did when people wouldn’t accept his blows. He replied “I accept their decision outright. If the blow did not convince them, I should not wish that my words would.”
I once asked a wise old knight what he felt about another fighter. He replied that “He wasn’t happy with the other fighter, because he had concussed his lady in a battle at a previous event. However, that was almost two years ago so he would be forgiving him shortly, as he had a policy of not holding a grudge longer than two years”.
Forgive someone today! The resentment you hold against others only eats away at you and makes you bitter. If someone wrongs you, they do you a small disservice. When you lay awake at night, grinding your teeth together, replaying the event over and over in your minds eye, you do yourself a terrible injustice.
The stereotypical examples of courtesy are opening doors and offering chairs. These are both fine examples and if done well are often appreciated.
If you travel through life with your eyes open, you will see all around you people who need assistance. They’re easy to spot. They look flustered, are carrying too much, are looking for something or someone…
True courtesy cannot be faked and does not need flowery words. It thrives where there is a genuine interest in helping your fellow man, be they friend or stranger.
Lifelong friendships have started from an act as simple as sharing a meal with a stranger or helping someone carry a heavy basket across a field.
Largesse is the coin that keeps the SCA going. If not for the millions of hours of volunteer work, the club would not be what it is. History is full of examples of largesse, and it is often associated with saints. The pilgrim dividing his cloak with a beggar. The Crown rewarding good service with land and titles. The Jew gifting armour to the errant knight. Rowena bringing civilization to the heathen…
If prowess is that virtue most associated with knights, then largesse must be the virtue most associated with pelicans.
If you have time, offer to help organize events. If you have a craft, donating small pieces to the King and Queen for them to distribute as their largess makes them (and you) look good. If you don’t have spare time and aren’t practicing a craft, turn the TV off!
The right and obligation to act as a knight, laurel or pelican. In much the same way as a McDonalds franchise has rights and obligations, knights, laurels and pelicans have rights and obligations of their rank.
The regalia is the most visible right of a Peer. Less visible, but more valuable, is the respect usually given to the opinion of a Peer.
The obligations include a higher expected standard of behavior. The responsibility of taking on squires, apprentices or protégés. An expectation of passing on the skills and knowledge they have picked up.
It is said that Peers are not made, they are recognized. In this same vein, to gain this recognition, you must already have taken on the responsibilities before you receive the benefits.
The ability to consistently hit other people with a piece of cane, while avoiding a similar fate.
In times past, faith in God was considered a chivalric virtue. Many probably considered it a virtue still. Myself, I am unconvinced in the existence of God and confess that it puzzles me how others can. I do believe that Christianity, and most other religions, offer excellent guidelines for how to live a good life, where you will be a happy, valued and contributing member of society. Nor do I hold a religion responsible for all the ills that have been done in its name.
While I don’t have faith (in God) I am an eternal optimist! I believe that if ever I was in dire straits, I could raise my hand and cry for help, and help would come. Perhaps this is faith of a sort, but in my fellow man, rather than some greater power.
Finish.
If you have found in this essay some virtue that you recognize in yourself, then I am content. If one person should recognize some small flaw herein, which they later address, then I am delighted.
Inigo Missaglia,
Husband, father, knight - and by grace of God - gentleman.