The Code Of Chivalry In King Arthur And His Knights Of The Round Table

“The code of chivalry emphasized bravery, military skill, generosity in victory, piety, and courtesy to women”(Hirsch). The story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table is surrounded by hundreds of different tales telling of the various attributes of a number of different Knights, including the King himself. One element that is present in every tale told of these knights is chivalry. King Arthur demanded of his knights that they follow the code of chivalry while on their adventures. His Knights of the Round Table did so proudly as they served their king, their country, and also women. “The Code of Chivalry was a moral system which went beyond rules of combat and introduced the concept of Chivalrous conduct - qualities idealized by the Medieval knights such as bravery, …show more content…
An element of chivalry that is present in this text is loyalty. Sir Lucan showed an immense amount of loyalty to King Arthur when he attempted to help lift the king, and died doing so. “‘Alas,’ said the King, ‘this is to me a full heavy sight to see this noble duke so die for my sake, for he would have helped me that had more need of help than I. Alas that he would not complain him for his heart was so set to help me. Now Jesu have mercy upon his soul’”(pg 191). Throughout these lines, King Arthur is mourning the death of Sir Lucan, who died while trying to lift King Arthur from the ground after he received his mortal wound from his son, Mordred. When Sir Lucan attempted to lift the King, his guts fell out of his body and he fell to the ground foaming at the mouth. However, he did not complain when he and Sir Bedivere made the decision to lift and carry the King to a safe location. Through his actions, it is clear that Sir Lucan was extremely loyal to King Arthur, and therefore following the code of chivalry outlined by King Arthur and his Knights of the Round