Chivalry In The Medieval Period

Knights are to be chivalrous at all times. For a knight to have chivalry he must obey certain things. A knight must always defend his king, for he is loyal to him. They must defend women and children and respect them. If the knight isn't at war then he should be in tournaments or hunting. A knight should defend the holy Catholic faith and govern the land. A knight must follow these things at all times in order to have chivalry. Lancelot was a good and faithful knight, but he had his flaws.

Lancelot was a great knight that wanted to serve a king and this king was Arthur. He had complete faith in his king and only wanted to serve him. Even when Arthur was against him, Lancelot pleaded for peace. Lancelot being a good knight knew that at all times he must defend his king. He refused to fight back until they were endangered and even then he didn't want to fight. He didn't fight until six months of being attacked.

Twice Lancelot didn't kill Gawain after he had won the challenge. Gawain asked him why he did not take his life and Lancelot said, "While you stand on you two feed I will not gainsay you; but I will never strike a knight who has fallen. God defend me form such dishonor." Even though the agreement was fight until death, he believed that killing would go against his faith. He is being chivalrous by defending the holy Catholic faith.

In the movie Lancelot tells Gwen that he only love one woman and that was his Queen. Also that he would love only her until her death. This is showing respect to Gwen as a woman and as the Queen. He also defends her when she is accused of adultery. Even though he was already injured he fought for her innocence. This is truly the act of a chivalrous knight.

When Gwen came to the woods they committed adultery. This goes against everything expected from a knight. He hurt the King, the Queen, other knights, and himself. This was the most unfaithful thing he could