Middletown transcript., 1870-05-07
CHIvALRY.

Chivalry or knighthood was an institu-
ton common to Europe during the middle
ages, having principally for its object the
correction of those evils peculiar to the
state of society which then existed. The
feudal system at that time prevailed, the
disorders flowing from which, connected
with the ignorance and barbairsm of the
people, rendered some such institution as
chivalry necessary, provided better could
not be found Considered in this aspect,
chivalry was co-existent with feudalisln.
1t was designed as corrective of fcudal
despotism, injustice and RIGHTEOUSNESS. 1t
SOU ght to support the weak, protect the
oppressed, to restrain the lawless, to refine
the rude, to avenge the wrongs, and espe
cially to maintain the rights and defend the
purity of the female sex. In its elements
it combined bravery, honor, courtesy, love
and religion. Regarded in military
light, we find it a part of the earliest con-
dition of most of the European world. Its
foundation, in fact, was the ancient char
acter of Europe, and it grew into the form
and consistency which it at length assum-
ed, from the practices common among the
f early Europeans, particularly the Germans,
of receiving their weapons in an assembly
of the nations, associating in clans, pro-
tecting and reyering woman, and perform
ing other acts of service when affection and
duty commanded them. The exact time
f when these elements were framed into that
system of thought and action which we
c call chivalry, it is impossible to tell
Knighthood was certainly distinction of
society before the DAYS of Charlemagne
But it wanted religion. When it began
If to be marked by religious rites, it formed
IS a regular institution. Its union with re-
v lgion, took place somewhere between the
= ninth and eleventh centuries. Its charac-
a ter was raised and perfected by the Cru
o sades. Nearly the whole of Europe was
IS affected by the chivalrous spirit, but it
is Aourshed most in France, Spain and Ger
many, and more early developed itself as
= fixed principle of action, in these coun-
is tries than in others. England, at length,
'. was imbued with it also.
in There were three degrees in chivalry-
20 knights bannarets, knights, and esquires.
e. A soldier must have passed through the
III ranks of esquire and knight, before he
10 could be classed with the knights bannar
cr cts. That high dignity could be possessed
in only by knight who had served for
O. length of years in the wars, and with dis
Ie tinction, and who had a considerable reti
,f nue. of men-at-arms. The second ant
,is most numerous class of chvalric heroes
to consisted of knights. A general qualii
he cation for knighthood was noble or gentl
birth, which, in its widest Specification
et expressed state of dependence. Th
e. third class of chivalry, the squirchood
r. was composed of body of efficient sol
or ders, inferior in rank to the knight, an
,r- superior to the men-at-arms. Many {
he them, on various accounts, remained /
,as this station during all their military CT
in reGr.
TO- The education of knight, in the fam
ent ly of feudal lord, generally commence
he at the age of seven or eight years. III
place of education was sometimes scho
,k appointed by the mobiles of the countr.
ote but most frequently the nobleman's ow
lad castle, or that of some brother noblema
ce, served The duties of the boy, for I'll
her first seven years of his service, were chief
ter personal. He learned the dignity an
beauty of obedience, being made to feel
me privilege to attend the lord and his lat
ON in the hall, and follow them in their exc
yer cises of war and pastime. The intellect
zee. al and moral education of the boy was 81
the en- by the ladies of the court. From the
rry lips he learned his catechism, and his fiji
to lessons in the arts of love. Religion, 10
The and war, were strangely combined in cl
for valry Surrounded by noble females a
,wn valorous cavaliers, the first impressions
She the future knight were on these subJec
lte and he was taught to regard chivalry a
her its honors, as the most noble object
and ambition. The military exercises of
MIS- youth were not many, and they were
lerc portant only as they were the earliest Id
lson of his life. During the hrst seven yea
um- he wrs called a valet or pagc,-in the
+ to Enlish ballads child. At the age
out fourteen he received the title of armiger
yard esquire; and though he was then auth
, in lied to carry arms, yet his personal
It of mestic service continued for some til
and His education was not completed till
age of twenty-one The esquire prepa
COW the rejection in the morning; and at d
ana ner, he as we'll as the pages, attended
the table and presented to the lord and
ex- guests the water used for washing.
gen. knight and the squire never sat at
from same table, not even in the case OF fat
have and son, so strict was the principle of
ere valric subordination. The full dignit
entail knighthood was seldom conferred oil
wing squire before the age of twenty-one
that ceremonies of Inauguration were sole
sun The preparation consisted in prayer,
Is to fession and fasting, and was accompal
by clothing him with white dress, WI
was considered symbolical of the purit
She ms new chafaetef' anu oy 'hro".ns
law MN req garhch.' wh,ou was ~
ere MS reso.u'iou " suvo ,n, Mo 1i'ou ~ ~
IN all cause OF heaVeh. Anesc "no o'.o.
it is were a necessary Ptell'i'ua'y u n "a. u"