Historically speaking, there was not a single, authoritative Code of Chivalry as such. 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, courtesy, honor and great gallantry toward women. The Code of Chivalry was the honor code of the knight and was an important part of the society and lives of people who lived during the Medieval times.
Because the focus of the Order of Lepanto’s martial arts is in that time period, we have recreated a Code of Chivalry specifically for our members:
• To fear God and maintain His Catholic Church
• To keep and defend the faith
• To serve the order and your family in valor and faith
• To protect the weak and defenseless
• To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
• To live by honor and for glory of God
• To fight for the welfare of all
• To obey those placed in authority
• To guard the honor of fellow knights
• To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit
• At all times to speak the truth
• To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
• To respect the honor of women
• Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
• Never to turn the back upon a foe