Middletown transcript., 1870-05-07

splendid beyond description, especially at
coronations, the marriage of princes, and
important victories Tournaments wero
military exercises, performed by two par
ties of cavaliers with hurtless weapons.
The place of combat was, the lists. large
space surrounded by ropes or railing, IN
single or double rows. Sometimes thord
was wooden division in the lists or ares
to prevent the horses of the adverse knights
from carecring against each other.
Of jousts there were two kinds, tho
ioust to the uttcrance, and the joust OF
peace. The former expressed single
combat between two knights, generally OF
different nations. The Judicial combat
was a joust to the utterance; and so was
every duel, whether lawful or unlawfulS
but with such jousts chivalry has no die
rect concern, though the absurd practice
of modern duelling grew out of its prlnci-
pies. The joust of peace often took plaoa
at the conclusion of tournament. a
knight who had acquired honor, would
ride about the lists and call on the sur
rounding cavaliers, by their valiancy and
for the love of the ladies, to encounter
him in three strokes of the lance. Such
usually was the dexterity of the combat
ants that the encounter of the lance was
seldom fatal.
Through the long period of the middle
ages, tournaments and jousts were the ei<
egant pastimcs of Europe and Greece;
Knghthood had its triumph over classical
institutions, when the games OF chivalry
, were played in the circus of Constantine
pie. In the West they survived chivalry
f itself, whose image they had reflected and
f Frightened, for changes in the military
, art, did not Immediately affect manners;
and the world long clung with fondness
, to those splendid and graceful, though
dissipating shows which had thrown light
: and elegance over the warriors and DANES
c of yore.
Chivalry had its various orders of cava-
e liers, formed for specific purposes. gene
S rally of benevolent character, len OF
c them remain to the present time. Most
t of the present orders are otherwise than
V of chivalric origin. The orders of CHI
t valry we're both religious and military.
v They extended over various countries. par
# ticularly the Holy land, England, France.
Spain, Italy. Some of the religious or
C ders we're those of the Templars, St. James.
= Calatrava, Alcantara, the Lady of Mercy,
IT and St. Michael. In the religious orders
a the cavaliers were bound by the three
" great monastc VOWS, of chastity, poverty.
), and obedience.
" The military orders were limitations OF
ID the religious Those of the Garter. the
l. Golden Fleece, and St. Michael. in France,
ar were clearly of chivalrc origin. All these
in institutions had particular rules by which
n they professcd to be governed, but they
ht varied with the spirit of the times.
o. Chivalry was adapted to the period III
to which it rose and hourished. and seems II
se have been needed in those ages. It wal
&C probably the best system that could hav'
s. been adopted to aid the Improvement o
bv society, at a time when Christianity wa
re so deeply corrupted. The principles o
he this religion, IS it was then understoo'
Nv and practised, were Incorporated in it
er and much of the good which it included
ie. was the fruit of the Gospel. Its theory
by however, was in several respects indefen
IS. siblc, and its practice was rarely ever s
good as its theory. Still, we find muc
Sc to admire in chivalry, considering the cha
of racter of the nations among whom it pre-
of vailed.
to This institution tostered CIVILIZATION ah
al was therefore needed in barbarous ag'
sa- It refined the manners and added harmon
we to social intercourse, where otherwise Ii
,ch tie but rudeness and misrule would has
ich prevailed. 1t contributed to the safet
,he and order of society. inasmuch as it thiI
ba- ned the ranks of robbers and rufians.
all infused kind and benefcent feelings I'M
ties the BOSOM and enjoined external propriei
lial of conduct and courtesy of behavior.
hat cultivated a humanity which was not lin
ter tied by kindred or country. As chival1
eds was spread over Europe, it formed ma
kind into one band, or order af men. II
,rly features of war were softened by its inf
MIS- ence. It taught the warrior gentlenc
,nly and clemency. A nice sense of honor al
or scrupulous regard of truth we're foster
the by its maxims. 1t was a principle,
.rn- we'll as feeling and love in chivalry,
CEN guard and cherish woman, and many
her its amenities proceeded from her mild
ish fuence. In fine, it corrected the peculi
med evils of the fcudal system, haughtinc
take tyranny, oppression and misrule.
ress --s-------