Definition
Chivalry was the informal code of conduct that grew up around the mounted warrior, or knight, in medieval Europe. The word comes from the French term for horseman, and the ideal it described combined martial skill with religious devotion and courteous behavior.
A chivalrous knight was expected to be brave in battle, loyal to his lord, faithful to the church, generous to the weak, and respectful in dealings with noble women. In practice the standard was often broken, but it shaped how the warrior class wished to see itself.
Why it matters
How it works
A code of conduct works by setting expectations that a community enforces through honor and shame. Knights were trained from boyhood in arms, manners, and religious duty, and their reputation depended on living up to the ideal. Tournaments, ceremonies of knighthood, and stories of legendary heroes reinforced the standard. Because reputation determined a knight's standing among peers and patrons, the code shaped behavior even where no law compelled it, though it was frequently honored more in word than in deed.