Medieval Kinights and Today's Soldiers
...l knight instead of a soldier of today. Knights were well recognized and greatly appreciated. Today's soldiers aren't noticed near as much as they should be. Chivalry was the code of conduct which a knight was to follow. The word comes from the French word, "chevalier," which means horseman or kinight. All knights had to show military bravery and skill, but they also had to show courtesy toward their enemies and compassion for the sick, the poor, widows, and other disadvantaged people. At first chivalry was a serious business, and knights risked their lives in jousting tournaments. By the 1400s, chivalry was mainly a system of manners. Tournaments became a fashionable form of entertainment, and rarely was anyone injured. But from the Chivalry of the Middle Ages comes our idea of "gentleman." In medieval times, many knights rode out to do battle. They made seiges on other castles, headlong charges into bloody battle...