I have been charged by the Dame Amaris Baeyear and the Lady Phyrra Tenshi, both of Marentha, with detailing my feelings about what the Code of Chivalry actually means. Before I go any further, please allow me to define the word "code." It is defined as "Any system of rules or regulations relating to one subject," and "a set of rules or principles or laws." It is also defined as "a compilation of laws by public authority; a digest."
I have heard many people asking the question, "Which point of the Code of Chivalry is the most important?" I made a point to define the word "code," because to me, there isn’t any one tenant of the Code of Chivalry that is more important than another. The Code of Chivalry is an entire, complete set of rules defining how a Noble should act; the entirety of the Code is what’s important, and each point should be followed and adhered to equally. They are all important. None outweighs any of the others.
Having said that, I shall now take the Code, point by point, and explain what I think each point means.
"Thou shalt respect the weak and constitute thyself the defender of them."
This, to me, is one of the more straightforward points of the Code, and shouldn’t need much elaboration. However, to fulfill the task with which I was given, I shall elaborate.
An individual is made a Noble either through hereditary inheritance, or by working hard and being granted a position by their Liege. Either way, a Noble’s responsibility is to the people. The people of a fiefdom, Barony, County, etc. do not exist to provide the Nobles with comfort and wealth. Rather, the Nobility exists to ensure and protect the safety and well being of the people.
A Nobles’ entire duty can be boiled down to its basic property - to provide safety for the people. Nobles are, without exception - in my experience - better trained and equipped than the majority of commoners. A Noble needs to be, as the farmer who tills the field can’t always fight his own battles. A Noble has the right and responsibility to recruit men and women to wear their colors, or the colors of their Liege, and make sure, with their lives if necessary, that the commoners of their lands can go about their daily lives without suffering the depredations of ravening hordes of undead, or elementals, or many other sorts of creatures. This isn’t always possible, and sometimes, commoners die because a Noble, and/or their representatives, can’t be everywhere at once.
The first tenant of the Code of Chivalry is to serve as a reminder to all Nobles of the Kingdom that they are not above anyone, but rather the servants of the people. Every Noble is the servant of the very people whose safety and health they’ve made it their personal responsibility to guard.
"Thou shalt love the land in which thou hast sworn fealty."
No matter where a man or woman is from, they absolutely must love where they live and have sworn fealty, or what’s the point? I am from a small village in the Barony of Warwick. I have made Tyrangel my home, and have sworn fealty to a Noble of this land, and will defend this Vale with my last breath, because I love it so. If a person isn’t willing to give everything they have to defend and protect the land they call home, then that person shouldn’t be a Noble. The point of Nobility is not so that Nobles can have a comfortable, wealthy life, but so that these men and women will have the resources, authority, and responsibility to make sure that the people, and the land itself, are safe and cared for.
For an individual to be willing to give their all to defend a place and its people, they have to love it. If you don’t love something, you’re not going to give protecting it and defending it all of your energy and attention.
"Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy."
This is one of the easier tenants of the code to misunderstand. The Code of Chivalry was written so that Nobles of Evandarr would have something to guide their actions. We need to understand both the letter, and the spirit, of the code in order to really live it.
The letter of this tenant of the Code suggests that a Noble may never decline to combat or fight or engage in hostilities with an enemy. The spirit, however, is somewhat different. Allow me to illustrate my feelings with an example.
Let us say that Lord Celestial Mage has just engaged in a pitched battle and, in defense of his people, has cast all of his spells and scrolls, and the only tool he has left with which to fight evil is his silver sword. He has just quit the battlefield and is moving toward a nearby tavern for refreshment when he rounds a corner and comes face to face with a Death Knight and a group of Revenants.
Lord Celestial Mage has some options. He can immediately attack the Death Knight and Revenants and be slaughtered, because with his silver sword, he can’t hope to affect the Death Knight, and the Revenants won’t be damaged much by his swings. Choosing this option, Lord Celestial Mage is adhering to the letter of this tenant of the Code. And uselessly sacrificing his life.
The other option that Lord Celestial Mage has open to him, and the option which I feel follows the spirit of this tenant, is to turn and run. He should turn and run back to where he knows there are people who can aid him in fighting the Death Knight and Revenants. Once he has gathered these people, he should then lead them to the undead and engage in battle.
Nobles should approach the application of the Code in their lives with wisdom, not with blind unthinking devotion. It is not cowardice to retreat before an enemy which you alone have no hope of defeating, in order to find folk to help you who can defeat it. I think that this should be made abundantly clear to any and all Nobles so they don’t get so caught up in following the letter of the Code that they uselessly throw away their lives.
"Thou shalt make war upon evil without cessation."
Once again, here is a tenant in which the spirit of the words must be known, understood, and followed. There is no one who can "make war upon evil" day and night, never resting, never eating, never regrouping their forces. No one can prowl the entirety of the land in which they live and have sworn to defend endlessly, looking for evil on which to make war. Everyone needs to rest and relax, and gather again their strength. This is the way in which we exist.
Additionally, I think it should be understood that making war upon evil is a never-ending task, but individual battles have a beginning, and an end. Fight each battle with all of your heart and might, and then rest and take comfort in those close to you. Gather again your strength and fight your next battle. Do so, and you will be making war upon evil "without cessation." But get some sleep and enough food to eat, or your thinking will be muddled, and your arm will be slow and tired, and you’re not going to be of much use to anyone.
"Thou shalt scrupulously perform thy noble duties be they not contrary to the laws of the land."
A Noble, while being an embodiment of the Law, is nevertheless bound by, and subject to, the law. The commands that a Noble gives are to be treated as law, for they are. Yet a Noble is not above the law, and must adhere to it and obey it as they are subjects of the King. For instance, an example was given me that I’d like to share:
Necromancy is illegal within the Kingdom of Evandarr. A Noble, no matter the situation or circumstance, cannot cast, or order the casting of Necromancy, and be performing his Noble duties while obeying the laws of the land.
Should a Noble order a commoner or lesser Noble to cast Necromancy, he or she must do so. The Noble, however, will have to make an accounting to his or her superior and can fully expect to be punished for his or her actions.
"Thou shalt be generous and give freely to everyone."
Once again, a Noble needs to use wisdom, and some common sense, when putting this tenant into practice in their life. If a known enemy of the land asks for money or tools with which to further their selfish or evil goals, of course you must not give them what they ask for. You should also arrest them and try them for their crimes. This should go without needing to be said.
Additionally, I think that Nobles need to be aware that giving generously doesn’t solely mean of their money. It also means time, effort, a sympathetic ear, and blood, sweat, and tears. I think that one of the most important things that any Noble should keep in mind is that they are not "above" anyone and that they are certainly not "above" getting their hands dirty. I think it might be a good idea for Nobles to occasionally visit the different towns and settlements in their provinces and help their people build a barn, or dig a well, or tend the sick. This would be a very direct reminder to them that they are servants of the people, not someone who lives off the efforts of others.
"Thou shalt never lie and shall always be faithful to thy word."
Simply put, this means that you should always tell the truth and do what you say you’re going to do.
"Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the good and the right against injustice and evil."
This means that not only should you always fight the good fight, battling evil where it breeds and dwells, but that you should always be honest and strive to be the embodiment of the Code of Chivalry. A Noble should never allow his or her actions or words to even appear unjust, duplicitous, ignoble, or self serving. I cannot state enough or stress properly that Nobles are servants of the people and should bear that in mind with all they say and do.
A noble is to right wrongs and smite injustice whenever and wherever they encounter it for the good of those people which have been entrusted into their care.
Commoners should bear in mind that Nobles are not infallible and perfect, but men and women like everyone else; Nobles will make mistakes from time to time. And just as it is a Nobles’ personal responsibility to provide for the safety of those in their care, it is the commoners’ responsibility to understand that Nobles will occasionally err, and to provide our Nobles with support and love, as they have an exceedingly difficult job to do. And to do their job properly, they need the support of not only the Nobles above them, but the support of the people they serve.