For many people today, the thought of letting a child train in the martial arts – boxing, karate, wrestling or the growing practice of historical sword combat called “Western martial arts” – is objectionable. Kids are already exposed to too much violence in video games, TV programs and movies. When our society is plagued by problems of real violence at every level, why would we encourage kids (or, for that matter, adults) to take part in a recreational activity that turns physical conflict into a game?

But just because martial arts involve grappling, throwing punches and swinging swords doesn’t mean they are synonymous with violence. These physical activities, coupled with an understanding of a sense of respect, dignity and trust, may actually reduce violence in society. Studying the arts of violence may diminish the urge to commit violent behavior – a paradox that is at the heart of the code of chivalry.

In this essay, excerpted from an opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald, Prof. Damon Young explores the aggressive tendencies of youth (boys in particular) and considers how a grounding in the martial arts may be an important part of a concerted social campaign against violent street crime. His thoughts about young men learning to channel their aggressive tendencies are echoes of the philosophers of the Middle Ages who wrote about the importance of chivalry.

Studies show that martial arts training can help make young men more calm and disciplined, and less prone to criminal violence.

I was a schoolboy once, and I can understand the allure of macho posturing and physical confrontation. But when the boys are grown men, it’s not so innocent. Boys get grazes and bruises, but drunk adults die from brain injuries, knife cuts and bullet wounds.

Some of the idiocy may be stopped by a greater police presence, more arrests, harsher sentences. Media campaigns might change some minds – well, it worked with drink-driving. But it won’t dissipate the rampant male aggression, particularly the explosive, adamant and irrational rage that often clouds the minds of young men.

This sounds like an excuse – it isn’t. It’s a partial explanation.

Young male rage brings with it all sorts of identity issues: masculinity, sexual desirability, ennui and socio-economic factors. But from poor ethnic gangs to white, middle-class private school boys brandishing bats, is a common ferocity: angry, swaggering, immature aggression.

The question isn’t how to get rid of it, but: what can we do with it? How can we channel this into something less dangerous, and more productive?

There are many ways to do this constructively, but one is martial arts: teach boys how to fight. Take them to classes, like boxing, judo, karate, kung-fu, ju-jitsu.

This seems absurd: surely learning to fight means more violence. Certainly, some young men are made more violent by martial arts – the macho atmosphere and praise for violence enhance their aggression, instead of diminishing it. And some professional fighters seem to grow more angry and unbalanced as they age.

But research suggests that young men who learn to fight in a safe, structured, respectful martial arts school are less antisocial. How does this work?

First, the martial arts offer controlled catharsis. They get to fight, and fight hard – but against willing participants, under the eye of an experienced teacher, coach or trainer. They learn to be aggressive without being malicious.

Second, combat sports can increase self-esteem. Instead of needing to prove themselves in animalistic rites, martial artists enjoy genuine achievements: gaining grades or belts, executing difficult techniques, winning competitions. They learn there are better ways to get respect.

Third, fighting offers discipline. You have to train regularly, eat well, keep your fitness up, and set realistic targets. Maybe young men can combine this with Friday night drinks and thuggery, but it won’t pay off in the long run. Success demands commitment, and this means less late-night idiocy and more early morning jogs.

Fourth, fighting can teach humility. Confidence can spill over into arrogance, which can lead to more infantile self-assertion in the city. But there’s nothing like losing a fight to teach you your limits. Boys need to learn they’re not invulnerable – as a colleague of mine, a fine arts graduate, put it, “every 15-year-old boy needs to be punched in the face”.

Finally, the martial arts demand trust. In order to train well, you need faith in your teacher and fellow students. You have to know they’ll go light when you’re a beginner, and they’ll release their choke when you tap – and you’ll do the same. In this way, young men learn to be less antisocial, and more gregarious; they learn trust in others, and self-restraint.

It’s no panacea; psyche and society are too subtle and complex for any universal policy to work. But it’s food for thought: don’t deny male rage, channel it into something safe and structured. Instead of just policing the streets, we might educate the angry mind. If we want them to be more civilised, perhaps we must teach our boys to fight.

Related posts:

1. Chivalry, Aristotle, CS Lewis & Martial Arts
2. No First Strike In Chivalry
3. Chivalry Gets Its Chops

Martial Arts and Philosophy contains a chapter on chivalry and martial arts by Scott Farrell.

So, Aristotle, C.S. Lewis and Bruce Lee decide to go to a jousting match …
Sounds like the beginning of a very strange joke, doesn’t it? But the fact is, that could well be the premise for one of the chapters in the forthcoming book, Martial Arts and Philosophy, which will be published by Open Court Press as part of its extremely popular Pop Culture and Philosophy series. The chapter, entitled Sir Aristotle And The Code Of Chivalry, uses the practice of Western martial arts – the “schools of defense” taught in medieval Europe – as a means of exploring the philosophy of chivalry and seeing how it compares with Aristotle’s virtue ethics and the spiritual doctrines of C.S. Lewis. The chapter will stand alongside several that use traditional Eastern martial arts, like karate, kung fu and ju-jitsu, as a means of exploring other aspects of philosophy.
If you’re a regular listener of the Chivalry Today Podcast, you may already be a fan of the Pop Culture and Philosophy series. In Episode 24, host Scott Farrell talked with Prof. Gary Hardcastle, editor of the volume Monty Python and Philosophy about how the iconic movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail reflects modern notions of the code of chivalry.
Martial Arts And Philosophy is edited by acclaimed philosopher Damon Young, himself an avid martial artist and author of the blog Darkly Wise, Rudely Great – Prof. Young’s piece The Strength of Civility also appears on the Chivalry Today website. We’re looking forward to having Prof. as an interview guest on the Podcast in Season Five, so listeners can enjoy hearing him and Scott compare notes on chivalry, martial arts and the larger topic of philosophy. Until then, we hope you’ll take the opportunity to pre-order Martial Arts and Philosophy today!

Related posts:

1. Episode 24: Monty Python and the Code of Chivalry
2. Podcast 39: Chivalry in Renaissance Martial Arts
3. Next Season’s Fun

Students at the 2009 Medieval Minnesota Summer Camp program take a well-earned bow after performing a scene from a medieval play as part of their week-long study program.

Correction: In the introduction, Scott incorrectly cites the title of William Gurstelle’s latest book. The book is Absinthe & Flamethrowers: Projects and Ruminations on the Art of Living Dangerously. Whoosh, Boom, Splat is one of William’s earlier books. We apologize for the mistake.

Quicklinks – Learn more about the books and programs featured in this podcast episode by using the following links:
• Medieval Minnesota Summer Camp;
• Absinthe & Flamethrowers and The Art of the Catapult by William Gurstelle

Help support the Chivalry Today podcast

Your contribution of any amount makes the Chivalry Today Podcast possible, and helps make Chivalry Today presentations available to schools, libraries and youth groups as part of our ongoing educational outreach program.

If you enjoy our podcast offerings, please take a moment to help keep them coming.

Segment 1: Chivalry In A Worthy Cause – Final Entries And Thoughts On Our Listener Challenge

We take one last look at our listeners’ nominations of the Nine Worthies of Chivalry Today, and reflect on what we’ve learned about chivalry in today’s world as a result of the many suggestions we’ve received this season as to who embodies the code of chivalry in the 21st century.

Segment 2: Interview: Prof. Phillip Adamo, Director of Medieval Minnesota Summer Camp

Augsburg College sponsors Medieval Minnesota, a college preparatory program that gives a group of high school students the opportunity to spend a whole week studying and living in the Age of Chivalry. Program director Phillip Adamo (pictured, right) joins us to talk about the program, and to discuss the important lessons in chivalry that students (and instructors too) have learned by surrounding themselves with medieval culture.

• Learn more at the Medieval Minnesota Summer Camp website.
• Below, watch a short movie about the Battle Of Hastings created by one of the students at Medieval Minnesota.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Segment 3: Catapults, Chivalry and the Art of Living Dangerously

Author William Gurstelle (pictured, right) is famous for his books full of exciting backyard projects and activities, from potato guns to knife throwing, including all manner of improvised munitions. He is the science teacher most of us wish we’d had in middle school, and his books and videos encourage his fans to release their “inner MacGyver.” But his most recent book, Absinthe & Flamethrowers, looks at this penchant for (slightly) hair-raising projects not just as an instruction manual, but also as a philosophical treatise. (It is subtitled, “Ruminations on the Art of Living Dangerously.”) In this interview, William talks with Scott about the “artful” approach to risky living and the surprising connections to the ideals of chivalry. And, as a special medieval bonus, he gives some tips on how to make your own backyard catapult – a great summer project!

• Buy William Gurstelle’s books Absinthe & Flamethrowers and The Art of the Catapult;
• Visit William Gurstelle’s catapult website, where you can see pictures of his enormous model trebuchet Ludgar (the war wolf), including a nightime image of a crew launching a flaming softball across a lake.
• Read an article in Popular Mechanics about William Gurstelle and Teaching Science With Trebuchets;
• Gurstelle was profiled in the New York Times in 2009 as the author of Books Of Things Not To Try At Home;
• Below, watch video of William Gurstelle talking about “the art of living dangerously” at a live presentation exploring the history and benefits of risk-taking.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Next season: Join us for another year of exploring the history, literature and philosophy of the code of chivalry, including a new translation of Malory’s Morte Darthur, a look at the life of Tecumseh (the “Native American King Arthur”), cotillion schools, femininity, the official School of Life, and a medieval castle being built in the Ozarks.

Related posts:

1. Podcast 41: Robin Hood And Chivalry
2. Summer Is Knight Time
3. American Sword of Chivalry

Recent news reports indicate that public trust today – in companies, in government and in the media – is at an all-time low. You don’t have to be a psychologist to figure out why: The recent decade has been one in which scandals and corruption of epic proportion has been revealed, and in many cases people, governments and corporations all over the planet are still reeling from the destructive results of these “crises of trust.”

That such a “minor” thing as trust can have such a devastating impact on commerce and society will come as no surprise to anyone who has studied the ideals of chivalry. Trust, truthfulness and fidelity were among the most valued qualities of a knight – in a world where written words were scarce, a knight’s “word of honor” was perhaps the most valuable measure of character. Shakespeare called this “the bubble reputation” – a reminder that the good name a knight built was a fragile thing that needed to be carefully guarded.

Today’s corporate entities and government agencies could learn a thing or two about the value of trust – and the challenges of “trust building” – from those medieval practitioners of chivalry. Lie to the people who trust you at your own peril … one gust of an ill wind is all it takes to burst the bubble reputation once and for all.

In this piece, reprinted from the Trust Advisor blog by business author and consultant Charles H. Green, Peter Firestein (author of Crisis of Character: Building Corporate Reputation in the Age of Skepticism) talks about the importance of trust in business, particularly in a time of economic troubles and low consumer confidence.

Charles H. Green: One thing that struck me (in the book Crisis of Character) was the insistence on reputation as being built inside out: the only sensible strategy is to be the company you want your stakeholders to see.

Peter Firestein: One of the book’s early titles was “The Glass House,” meaning, of course, that you can’t fake things for very long any more. Just thinking about the failed obfuscations attempted by some big corporations in recent years can bring actual, physical pain.

When I say you have to “build reputation from the inside out,” I mean that managers have to create reporting and communications structures that not only disseminate values throughout the organization, but absorb the workforce’s on-the-ground experience all the way to the top. Every action the company takes, therefore, represents its core value system. And the workforce’s day-to-day reality informs senior decision-making.

I call this “vertical communication,” and I think it reduces the likelihood that a CEO will wake up some day to find that a regional manager has been found to have bribed a government official, or a sub-contracted factory is discriminating against female employees, or an accidental dump of toxic waste has disappeared from company records somewhere down the line.

There are few small failures in big business. In fact, the depth of failure often presents a mirror image of success that preceded it. True vertical communication that extends throughout the organization helps you spend your life thinking about other things.

CHG: (H)ow you see the relationship between trust and reputation?

PF: If there’s a difference between high trust and strong reputation, I’m blind to it. Both trust and reputation—whether high or low—are expectations of future experience based on what is known about the past. That’s how people differ from markets. The legal disclaimer on any financial offering warns that past performance does not indicate future results. With human beings, it generally does.

CHG: You provide a very real-world example of exactly how a big company should go about recovering from a reputational slip, and what impressed me about it was your recommendation of aggressive, pro-active engagement. Say more about that?

PF: Here’s how pro-active you ought to be. You start preparing for the next crisis five years before it happens. And you don’t need a crystal ball for this. If you’re a multi-national company of scale, it’s impossible to avoid reputational mishaps. Some day, somewhere, someone will—intentionally or by neglect—commit a reputation-compromising act in your name. The inevitability must be an integral part of your thinking. So, you have to have a culture in place well in advance that enables you to respond appropriately to events that never crossed your mind before they happened.

People call it crisis communications, but it’s much more than that. Communications, by itself, never fixed anything. People also call it crisis management. But the crisis has already occurred, so the opportunity to manage it is past. You could call it management of the aftermath, and the only way to manage the aftermath effectively is to participate in it.

Which means, to some degree, participating in the emotions of those you have harmed. Referring to a person in the CEO position, the corporation becomes the person, and vice versa. If, as an individual, you have empathy toward a family who’s lost a father or a mother, you have to show that same empathy as a corporation.

Beyond this, the best piece of advice available on the subject is to resist the temptation to let your lawyers protect you. They can’t. There’s a short list of companies that have come out of disasters with stronger reputations than they’d had before. In all cases, they did so because they were able to identify with those who were angry with them. Enlightened leadership means understanding there’s no Plan B …

Read the full interview with Peter Firestein, along with several other interviews on trust in business in the Trusted Advisor blog, written by Charles H. Green.

Related posts:

1. Bullies, Business and Chivalry
2. Do You Create Liars?
3. In Chivalry We Trust

Quicklinks — Learn more about the books and programs featured in this podcast episode by using the following links:
• Robin Hood: A Mythic Biography by Prof. Stephen Knight;
• Warrior Wisdom: The Warrior’s Path by Dr. Bohdi Sanders and Loren Christensen
• Along The Enchanted Way from Glancing Love

Help support the Chivalry Today podcast

Your contribution of any amount makes the Chivalry Today Podcast possible, and helps make Chivalry Today presentations available to schools, libraries and youth groups as part of our ongoing educational outreach program.

If you enjoy our podcast offerings, please take a moment to help keep them coming.

Segment 1: Women Exercise Their Chivalry

Does a woman have to be a powerless spectator to live by the customs of chivalry? The advice website Ask Men offered some suggestions as to how women can be chivalrous (and still ladylike) in the age of gender equality:
• Is Chivalry Still Alive? (And if so, do women play a part in it in today’s society?)
• Guys, see how you rate with Ask Men’s Top 10 Gentlemanly Gestures.

Segment 2: Robin Hood And Chivalry

Robin Hood is one of the most enduring legends of the Middle Ages, and these stories have evolved throughout the centuries to reflect the changing ideals of society. Prof. Stephen Knight joins Scott to talk about Robin Hood, from the first written legends of the 14th century, to the new movie version of the story (directed by Ridley Scott) which will give audiences a first depiction of the “hero-outlaw” in the post 9/11 world.

• Buy Robin Hood: A Mythic Biography by Prof. Stephen Knight;
• Read Prof. Knight’s translation (with Thomas Ohlgren) of one of the earliest Robin Hood tales, Robin Hood and the Potter, originally published in Robin Hood and Other Outlaw Tales;
• The Robin Hood Project (hosted by the Univ. of Rochester) presents many original texts of Robin Hood literature, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century;
• Allan Wright’s website Bold Outlaw offers many interviews and articles by Robin Hood specialists, including a photo gallery of the real Sherwood Forest, an interview with Prof. Stephen Knight, and a Beginner’s Guide to Robin Hood;
• Visit the website of Robin Hood The Movie with more details about the film, cast and crew;
• Below: Watch the trailer for Robin Hood, which opens in the U.S. on May 14, 2010.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Segment 3: Chivalry In Warrior Wisdom

• Buy The Warrior’s Path, the third and final installment in the Warrior Wisdom series by martial arts instructor Dr. Bohdi Sanders;
• Read more thoughts on chivalry and honor in Dr. Sanders’ blog, The Wisdom Warrior;
• Learn more about Dr. Sanders’ background and experience in the martial arts;
• Below, watch Bohdi Sanders video, Meditation on Wisdom.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Segment 4: The Music of Glancing Love

Learn more about the Gypsy/Celtic Renaissance duo Glancing Love at their website – plus, enter our drawing to win a free download of their latest album, Along The Enchanted Way, in Chivalry Today’s Listener Challenge for May.

Next Month on Episode 42: Scott talks with Prof. Philip Adamo, director of the Medieval Minnesota program at Augusburg College where high school students get to spend a week in the Middle Ages; plus, a conversation with William Gurstelle about “the art of living dangerously” and the craft of catapult building.

Related posts:

1. Chivalry and the Warrior Lifestyle
2. Chivalry, Aristotle, CS Lewis & Martial Arts
3. Up On Our Podcasts?

Quicklinks — Learn more about the books and programs featured in this show by using the following links:

• The International Scouting Museum
• The Economics of Integrity by Anna Bernasek

Help support the Chivalry Today podcast

Your contribution of any amount makes the Chivalry Today Podcast possible, and helps make Chivalry Today presentations available to schools, libraries and youth groups as part of our ongoing educational outreach program.

If you enjoy our podcast offerings, please take a moment to help keep them coming.

Segment 1: Chivalry In Reverse

Is it practical, or even possible for a woman to be “chivalrous” toward a man in society today?
• Read Esquire Magazine’s take on how women can practice Reverse Chivalry in today’s world.
• Below – Watch the segment from the morning talk show The Catch-Up, as two of the female hosts demonstrate what they believe is “chivalry in reverse” – which includes ignoring an elderly woman in need of help, leering at passing fellows, and groping men on the street (as their husbands watch from the studio). Is this what they think of as “chivalry”?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Segment 2: Scouting With Chivalry

The monument to Lord Robert Baden-Powell looks remarkably like the statue of a knight of old - no surprise, since "chivalry" was one of B-P's guiding principles.

When Lord Robert Baden-Powell founded the Scouting movement in 1908, his first handbook, Scouting For Boys, included an entire chapter on “chivalry.” Since then, chivalry has been one of the guiding principles of the Cub, Girl and Boy Scouts. Scouting in America is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year – a great time to reflect on the history and values of the code of chivalry today!

• Learn more about the work and collections of the International Scouting Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada – the largest collection of Scouting memorabilia in the world;
• Find out how the Scouts are celebrating their centennial, and find out how you can get involved!
• Want your Scouts to learn more about chivalry? Find out how to schedule one of Chivalry Today’s popular live presentations for your Cub Scout, Boy Scout or Girl Scout meeting. Let your Scouts meet a real “knight in shining armor”!

Segment 3: Economics, Integrity and Chivalry

Anna Bernasek is author of The Economics of Integrity

• Buy The Economics of Integrity: From Dairy Farmers to Toyota, How Wealth Is Built on Trust and What That Means for Our Future, by Anna Bernasek;
• Visit Anna Bernasek’s website to read more about her writing about investments, economics and other financial issues.

Take The Chivalry Today Listener Challenge!

Do you know someone “worthy” to be included in a list of the nine most chivalrous people who ever lived? If so (and we hope you do), then you need to take Chivalry Today’s Listener Challenge.

Next month on Episode 41: Scott interviews Stephen Knight, Prof. of English Literature at the University of Wales and author of Robin Hood: A Mythic Biography, about the ideals of chivalry and the history of Sherwood’s most famous outlaw knight, just in time for the premier of the new movie Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe, which opens May 14, 2010.

Related posts:

1. Podcast 39: Chivalry in Renaissance Martial Arts
2. A New Order
3. Episode 25: Chivalry, Feasts and Medieval Table Manners

Quicklinks — Buy the titles from authors interviewed in this show by using the following links:

• Renaissance Swordsmanship and Medieval Swordsmanship by John Clements
• The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man by Brett and Kate McKay

Help support the Chivalry Today podcast

Your contribution of any amount makes the Chivalry Today Podcast possible, and helps make Chivalry Today presentations available to schools, libraries and youth groups as part of our ongoing educational outreach program.

If you enjoy our podcast offerings, please take a moment to help keep them coming.

Segment 1: A Day in the Park with Chivalry

Some cities are proposing asking neighborhood residents tend and clean-up parks as a means of dealing with budget woes. A fiscal folly, or an opportunity for chivalry? Learn more in these news items:
• NPR reports on cost-saving measures proposed in Colorado Springs;
• Budget cuts might mean taller grass in the Kansas City Star.

John Clements, director of ARMA, practices his art.

Segment 2: Chivalry and Renaissance Martial Arts – An Interview with John Clements

• Visit the ARMA Website to learn more about the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts;
• ARMA Archive article: Top Myths of Renaissance Martial Arts;
• ARMA Archive article: The Real History of the Crusades;
• ARMA Archive article: The ARMA Credo or Code of Conduct;
• John Clements’ newest book: Masters of Medieval and Renaissance Martial Arts.

Below: Enjoy The Arts of Mars, Part 1 of the 10-part on-line documentary Renaissance Martial Arts, produced by ARMA.

Watch all 10 parts of the series on the ARMA Website.

Brett McKay (right) and his wife Kate are co-authors of the book The Art of Manliness.

Segment 3: The Art of Manliness and the Practice of Chivalry with Brett McKay

• Visit The Art of Manliness website;
• The Art of Manliness has some suggestions on How To Be A Modern Knight in the 21st century;
• Buy The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man

Take The Chivalry Today Listener Challenge!
Do you know someone “worthy” to be included in a list of the nine most chivalrous people who ever lived? If so (and we hope you do), then you need to take Chivalry Today’s Listener Challenge.

Next month on Episode 40: We look at chivalry’s role in the history and culture of Scouting as the Boy Scouts celebrate 100 years of Scouting in America.

Related posts:

1. Chivalry, Aristotle, CS Lewis & Martial Arts
2. Podcast 38: Ideology of Chivalry
3. Podcast 41: Robin Hood And Chivalry

At the 2010 Winter Olympics, Shaun White showed that a true competitor with a sense of style and chivalry doesn't take the easy way to the finish line, even with a gold medal in his pocket.

Talking about chivalry in sports usually brings to mind images of come-from-behind victories, or the courage to compete in the face of pain or adversity. But at the recent Olympic winter games in Vancouver, British Columbia, one athlete provided an image of chivalry of a slightly different sort.

In the popular snowboarding half-pipe competition, Shaun White was the “one to beat.” Snowboarders in this game are judged on the best of two runs, and at the end of the first set of runs, White had a nearly perfect score, which put him in the admirable position of being both the leading competitor going into the second round, and also the final rider in the competition. That meant if any of the other riders beat his score, he’d have one, ultimate opportunity to take back the gold-medal spot.

Despite the other riders’ best efforts, however, none was able to overtake White’s position. That created an interesting situation: White literally won the gold medal while standing on the sideline.

There were lots of smiles and high-fives among White’s crew — but a serious question remained: Would White take his second run?

Run number two would essentially be a “victory lap” for White. A TV camera positioned nearby picked up a joyful conversation between White and his coach; the coach told White he could just “ride down the middle” of the course, rather than risking another display of aerial maneuvers, if he wanted to. The medal was already in his pocket.

It was no easy proposition. In preparation for the games, White had spent a lot of time recovering from injuries that ranged from a separated ankle tendon to a fractured chin, all in the effort of perfecting a move dubbed the “McTwisty,” which involves spinning around and over a total of 1260 degrees of rotation, while soaring as much as 30 feet (that’s three stories) above the ground.

But White’s decision came quickly: He swooshed down the snowy slope and gave his second run everything he had – including a conclusive “McTwisty,” to the crowd’s delight.

Clearly the spirit of chivalry lives on in this gold medalist, who took the knightly spirit of prowess – the pursuit of excellence with enthusiasm and dignity – to the snow. These games are full of wonderful examples of dedication, courage, strength, humility and camaraderie. But in the snowboarding competition, there was also a demonstration that even in the face of an easy victory, a White knight can still earn a medal with a sense of chivalry.

Below: A video of Shaun White’s second “victory” run at the 2010 Winter Olympics, complete with the “McTwisty.”

Related posts:

1. Zits On Chivalry
2. Free Trade of Chivalry
3. Deathmatch Chivalry

Quicklinks – Buy the titles from authors interviewed in this show by using the following links:

• Holy Warriors by Prof. Richard Kaeuper
• Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan

Help support the Chivalry Today podcast

Your contribution of any amount makes the Chivalry Today Podcast possible, and helps make Chivalry Today presentations available to schools, libraries and youth groups as part of our ongoing educational outreach program.

If you enjoy our podcast offerings, please take a moment to help keep them coming.

Segment 1: Take the Listener Challenge

A sculpture in the city hall in Cologne, Germany, depicts the Nine Worthies of medieval lore.

We want you to nominate someone for our list of Nine Worthies of Chivalry Today — nine individuals (living, historical or fictional) who represent the ideals of chivalry in action. You can suggest one, some or a whole list of nine names – each month Scott will choose some of the nominees to read on the podcast, and everyone who sends in a suggestion will be entered into our monthly drawing. Visit our Listener Challenge page for full details.

Segment 2: Ideology of Chivalry — Interview with Prof. Richard Kaeuper, author of Holy Warriors: The Religious Ideology of Chivalry

• Read a review of Holy Warriors, reviewed by Prof. Stephen Muhlberger, author of Deeds Of Arms and a past guest on the podcast.
• Buy Holy Warriors: The Religious Ideology of Chivalry at the Chivalry Today bookshop.

Segment 3: Romance Novel Chivalry – A Conversation with Sarah Wendell

What are the three elements that comprise the “trifecta of awesome” on a romance novel cover? Sarah discusses this, and other (more serious) elements of the romance genre in the video below:

• Read Chivalry and Other Romantic Behaviors on Sarah’s blog;
• Buy Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan at the Chivalry Today bookshop.

Related posts:

1. Podcast 34: Werewolves Of Chivalry
2. Podcast 37: Explorations Of Chivalry
3. Podcast 40: Scouting With Chivalry

QuickLinks – Buy the titles from the authors interviewed in this show by using the following links:

• Chivalry And Exploration by Prof. Jennifer Goodman-Wollock
• The Narcissism Epidemic by Dr. W. Keith Campbell and Dr. Jean Twenge

Help support the Chivalry Today podcast

Your contribution of any amount makes the Chivalry Today Podcast possible, and helps make Chivalry Today presentations available to schools, libraries and youth groups as part of our ongoing educational outreach program.

If you enjoy our podcast offerings, please take a moment to help keep them coming.

Segment 1: Chivalry and the Cycles of Today’s World

• Read the article Sharing The Road from Westways Magazine, a publication of the Southern California Auto Club;
• Learn more about cycling etiquette in the Road Rights blog from Bicycling Magazine;
• Learn more about the tensions between drivers and cyclists in “Road Rage” Case Highlights Cyclist Vs. Driver Tension from NPR News.

Segment 2: Explorations Of Chivalry – Interview with Prof. Jennifer Goodman-Wollock, author of Chivalry And Exploration: 1298-1630

• Buy Chivalry And Exploration: 1298-1630 by Jennifer R. Goodman(-Wollock)
• Pre-Order Prof. Wollock’s next book Chivalry And Courtly Love In The Middle Ages, due out in 2011, from Greenwood Publishing

Segment 3: Humility, Chivalry and the Narcissism Epidemic

• Buy The Narcissism Epidemic: Living In The Age Of Entitlement by Dr. W. Keith Campbell and Dr. Jean Twenge;
• Visit Dr. Keith Campbell’s website to learn more about his work, teaching and writing;
• Below, Dr. Keith Campbell discusses parenting choices to avoid narcissistic attitudes in children on Canada’s Your Voice television talk show:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Related posts:

1. Podcast 36: Chivalry á la Shalott
2. Episode 21: C.S. Lewis and Chivalry in Prince Caspian
3. Podcast 35: Chivalry Takes Wing

What you tell your children is often not nearly as important as the example you set for them. When children see parents and family members treating each other — and the people in the communities around them — with respect, deference and courtesy, they get the message that those are the qualities that build life-long bonds of trust, admiration and affection. As insightful parent and blogger Heather Blair reminds us, teaching kids to both perform and appreciate acts of respect and courtesy is an important first step toward instilling a sense of chivalry in tomorrow’s leaders, teachers and role models.

“Jessica. For God’s sake,” he said. “Allow me to do at least one common courtesy for you. In spite of what ‘women’s lib’ teaches you, chivalry does not imply that women are powerless. On the contrary, chivalry is an admission of women’s superiority. An acknowledgment of your power over us.”

— Beth Fantaskey, Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

An act of courtesy, like holding a door, need not be interpreted as a chauvinistic display, just acknowledged as a show of respect.

When I came to the above quote, I had to read it a couple of times because it is what every girl (and woman) should realize. Plus, it was being said by a vampire prince named Lucius. Yum. Good summer read. I recommend.

I had a friend once who told me that she hated it when men opened doors for her. She was under the impression that they must think she wasn’t capable of doing it on her own. She found it degrading.

Cue my jaw dropping to the floor.

I’ve never seen chivalry as an indication that a man thought me incapable. I’ve always seen it as a gesture of respect and quite honestly, I find it sexy as hell.

As a mother to four daughters, I am teaching them (yes, even the 4-year-olds) that they deserve to have doors held open for them. Not in a snooty I must have it sort of way, but in an I am worthy of it sort of way.

And mothers of sons, I implore you. Please teach them to be gentlemen. Please know that I am here, teaching my girls to appreciate it. I am teaching my girls to acknowledge your son’s respect and truly appreciate the gesture. I swell with pride when my four little girls, following me like ducks through a door held open by a gentleman, echo in their tiny little voices, “thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.”

I love that my husband still opens the car door for me. I love that he guides me into a room with his hand on the small of my back. I love that he lets me sit down first and that he doesn’t let the waitress take his plate until I’m all done. I love that he lets me order first and always holds the door open for me.

I always thank him and I never see it as degrading.

I know I sound preachy, but I really think that this is where we’ve all kind of crumbled. Do not let your girls wear the word ‘juicy’ on their butts and teach them that they are worth the effort. They are worth being treated like princesses. Teach them to be worthy of chivalry.

And then teach them to never berate a man in public. Please.

But that’s another soapbox for another day…

Read more of Heather Blair’s views and opinions on her blog, Mindless Junque.

Related posts:

1. Chivalry Today: It Needs A Woman’s Touch
2. Putting Down Chivalry’s Baggage
3. A Little Lesson in Chivalry

If there was such a thing as the Chivalry Awards, perhaps the following would be this year’s winners. But chivalrous people don’t follow their ideals to get trophies or make speeches – they simply do what needs to be done, and set the examples that need to be set, in order to make the world a better place.

Instead, let’s call these The High Points In Chivalry of 2009:

The campus of the Harvard Business School

5) The Harvard MBA Oath — Having seen too many unsavory management practices, several members of the 2009 graduating class of the Harvard Business School felt the time had come to show there were still decent people in the business world. During the spring semester, class members put together a simple eight-point oath of ethics that could be applied in any sector in the world of business. The oath included statements such as, “I will manage my enterprise in good faith,” “I will understand and uphold, both in letter and in sprit, the laws and contracts governing my … enterprise,” and “I will be accountable to my peers.” Their goal was a modest one: To get just 100 members of their class to sign the oath. In the end, however, not 100, but 900 students put their names to the oath – over half of the graduating class. And as news of this movement spread, business students all over the world began to take up the cause. To date, the Harvard MBA Ethics Oath has been adopted (voluntarily) by hundreds of schools around the globe; more than 1,700 students have signed it so far, and the list continues to grow every day. It seems there are still men and women in the business world who want to be champions instead of sharks.

Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (left) was first on the scene to help an injured fan.

4) Albert Pujols Tends An Injured Fan — At a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals on Aug. 7, a fan in the stands made an enthusiastic reach for a foul ball … and would up taking a literal nose dive over the wall and onto the field. The on-call EMTs rushed to take care of fellow, but paramedics and fans alike were surprised to see a white uniform at the injured fan’s side — that of number 5, Albert Pujols. The Cardinal’s first baseman stayed with the man for more than 10 minutes as the EMTs bandaged a severe laceration on his face, then reassured the man’s son that everything would be okay as they were taken to a nearby hospital. (The incident earned Pujols the AT&T Sportsmanship Award.) Although taking time away from an important game to tend to an injured spectator isn’t exactly “business as usual” for a top-ranking pro athlete, Pujols’ fans weren’t surprised by the incident — Pujols is known for using his off season to do charity and humanitarian work in the Dominican Republic where he grew up. This incident is just a reminder that a highly successful athlete (Pujols is a multiple All-Star and MVP recipient) can also be a knight in shining armor.

President Barack Obama

3) The U.S. President Takes A Bow — On Nov. 14, President Barak Obama raised some eyebrows when he lowered his head in a traditional bow as he was introduced to Emperor Akihito during a political visit to Japan. Politics aside, this gesture was an effective reminder of the simple principle of humility. As many commentators (from both sides of the political aisle) pointed out, bowing in this circumstance was not a sign of submission or deference, but simply a show of good manners. Even the most powerful man in the world should be gracious (and confident) enough to respect the customs of hospitality when he is visiting someone’s home. (In the 14th century, the King of England once considered it a great honor when, at a royal dinner, he personally knelt beside and served the visiting King of France – not as an act of submission, but as a display of the proper devotion of a host.) In the ideals of chivalry, power and authority should always be coupled with humbleness and sensitivity.

2) A New Moon Rises Over Chivalry – The motion picture New Moon opened on Nov. 20, and this second installment in the Twilight vampire saga based on the books of Stephanie Meyer had the a lot of critics and media analysts buzzing about an unfamiliar topic: chivalry. The cinematic merits of New Moon may be up for debate, but this movie has both pop culture pundits and American teenagers discussing the ideals and practices of chivalry with a sort of dignity and clarity that hasn’t been done in decades. In many ways, the supernatural characters of the Twilight saga resemble the iconic knights of Arthurian legend: Stronger and more powerful than average mortals, and struggling to restrain both their amorous and combative instincts because of the inspiration of love and honor. New Moon’s opening broke box office records all across the board – a fine demonstration that a powerful message of chivalry can still appeal to a broad audience.

A ferry diverts course to help survivors of Flight 1549 as they wait calmly for rescue.

1) Flight 1549 Lands In The Hudson River – Americans were shocked to hear the news on Jan. 15 of a jet airliner that crashed in the Hudson River shortly after takeoff. They were equally stunned – and inspired – by the stories of the evacuation and rescue of the survivors. Passengers, crew and officers, led by Captain Chesley Sullengerber, acted and reacted with dignity, courage and compassion. Rescue personnel and bystanders alike rushed in to help with little thought to their own safety. President George Bush himself commended everyone involved and said, “the skill and heroism of the flight crew as well as the dedication and selflessness of the emergency responders and volunteers” was an inspiration to all. The incident was dubbed “The Miracle on the Hudson,” a reminder to everyone that the world is full of heroes, and that chivalry is alive and well.

This blog entry is part of the Group Writing Project: 2009 In Review, sponsored by DailyBlogTips.

Related posts:

1. Bullies, Business and Chivalry
2. Chivalry’s Dirty Laundry
3. Saluting First Knights

Whatever the case, we know how difficult it can be to find that just-right gift for the chivalry enthusiast … and how heartwarming it is to see that look of joy and delight on the face of a loved one when they unwrap the perfect present (and they were expecting nothing but another lame gift card!).

So, for all of our friends, we provide the following holiday shopping guide – Chivalry Today style. Below, you’ll find some of the latest books, DVDs, CDs and other items sure to appeal to “knights and chivalry” enthusiasts … all broken down into relevant categories, because interest in chivalry can span a broad range of ages and subjects (as anyone who’s visited our website or listened to our podcast knows).

Click the following links to find gift guides filled with some of the latest and most popular items (and some old favorites as well) in these categories:

• Young Readers: Picture books and read-aloud stories for blossoming readers;
• Young Adult Readers: Books for middle-graders and teens (with enough depth and historical detail to appeal to adults as well);
• Arthurian Novels: Fiction drawn from current research into the history of the legends of King Arthur;
• Medieval Novels: Stories full of rich characters and historical details that bring the Age of Chivalry to life;
• Studies In Knighthood: Information on knights, medieval warfare and the authentic values of chivalry;
• Medieval Martial Arts: Authentic sword fighting and hand-to-hand combat techniques drawn from medieval manuals and interpreted by today’s leading scholars;
• Chivalrous Philosophy and Living: Timeless principles for honorable living, leadership, parenting and relationships in concert with the code of chivalry;
• Sounds Of A Medieval Christmas: Songs and music from medieval Christmas festivals and midwinter holy days.
• A Few Little Extras: Fun surprises that anyone with an interest in knights would enjoy!

Young Readers

The following four wonderful picture books make a great way to introduce the youngest readers to the colorful legends of King Arthur and the characters of Camelot.

• Merlin and the Dragons
• Young Arthur
• Young Guinevere
• Tales of King Arthur and the Round Table

Knight: A Noble Guide for Young Squires This pop-up book has so much great historical detail, it’s like taking a trip to the Middle Ages, no matter what age you are. (Learn more: Hear an interview with author Dugald Steer on Episode 25 of the Chivalry Today Podcast.)

Castle Diary A rousing diary of a year inside a medieval castle – through the eyes and words of a knight-in-training.

How Sir James Won His Armor Follow the life of a young squire as he grows into his armor – and his role as a knight.

Igraine the Brave A marvelously inventive story about a girl who becomes a knight to save her family and their magical library of singing books.

Young Adult Readers

Song of the Sparrow An updated version of the story of the Lady of Shalott in an authentic Arthurian setting. (Learn more: Hear an interview with Lisa Ann Sandell, author of Song of the Sparrow, on Episode 36 of the Chivalry Today Podcast.)

The Seeing Stone (Arthur Trilogy, Book One) An imaginative blending of Arthurian fantasy and medieval history in the story of a boy struggling to find his place in the world of 12th century England.

Here Lies Arthur A retelling of the story of King Arthur through the eyes of the characters who helped transform a simple warrior into a heroic legend.

The Sea of Trolls In the 8th century, a boy must go on a quest into the realm of Viking legends to learn his true identity.

Sisters of the Sword Two girls must learn the ways of the samurai in feudal Japan to protect their family honor – a great way of discovering the parallels between medieval knights and Japanese samurai, and the respective codes they lived (and died) by.

Princess Ben A story that turns the typical elements of the “medieval fairy tale” on their head as a girl learns to play the part of a demure princess by day and daring warrior by night in order to protect the kingdom she loves.

Adventures with King Arthur

Gwenhwyfar: The White Spirit (A Novel of King Arthur) A story of the challenges and sacrifices made by the woman who would become Arthur’s queen, by popular fantasy novelist Mercedes Lackey.

The Winter King A historically based retelling of the life of Arthur by acclaimed novelist Bernard Cornwell.

The Firebrand (The House of Pendragon, Book 1) King Arthur’s daughter battles Modred and continues the heroic tradition of her forbears after the Battle of Camlann.

Medieval Novels

Mystery writer Jeri Westerson takes a private eye story into the 14th century with her series featuring detective Crispin Guest, a disgraced knight seeking truth and redemption. (Learn more: An interview with author Jeri Westerson on Episode 16 of the Chivalry Today Podcast.)

• Veil of Lies
• Serpent in the Thorns

Azincourt A rousing account by Bernard Cornwell of the events and personalities that lead up to one of the most famous battles in medieval history.

The Wolf Hunt Gillian Bradshaw’s vividly detailed retelling of the medieval legend of the Bisclavaret – a 13th century werewolf tale.

World Without End Ken Follett’s brilliant account of life, love and ambition in the medieval world. (Learn more: Read a review of World Without End at Chivalry Today.)

The intriguing new series of mystery novels featuring the enigmatic Knights Templar in the time of the Crusades.

• The Alehouse Murders (Templar Knight Mysteries, No. 1)
• Death of a Squire (No. 2)
• Murder for Christ’s Mass

Studies in Knighthood and Chivalry

Holy Warriors A look at the often overlooked religious aspects of the ideals of chivalry, and how this warrior’s code became merged with the peaceful ideology of Christianity. (Learn more: Prof. Kaueper will be the interview guest on the Feb. 2010 edition of the Chivalry Today Podcast – be sure to listen in.)

A Knight’s Own Book of Chivalry An engaging translation of the Book of Knighthood of Geoffroi de Charny – an explanation of chivalry in the words of a knight of the 14th century.

Special Operations in the Age of Chivalry Tactical explorations of military operations in the Middle Ages beyond the usual tactical examinations of set-piece battles.

From Chivalry To Terrorism A look at the changing image of masculinity from the Ancient world to the 21st century, including the influences of chivalry in many eras. (Learn more: Read an excerpt on True Nobility from From Chivalry To Terrorism on Chivalry Today.)

Agincourt: Henry V and the Battle That Made England The latest scholarship into the shifting understanding of this iconic encounter from one of today’s most respected medieval historians.

Warriors: Season One A look at the weapons, tactics and values of warriors from nearly every culture and historical period on the planet, including several episodes of knights and medieval combat – hosted by Special Forces officer Terry Schappert.

History Channel Presents The Crusades A look at the Crusades and their influence on history and the image of knighthood.

The History Of Warfare series examines many important military encounters, including these episodes set in the Middle Ages – excellent narration distinguishes these productions, including several featuring the voice of Brian Blessed.

• Agincourt
• Hastings
• Viking Wars
• Stirling Bridge
• Bannockburn

Medieval Martial Arts

The Art of Medieval Swordsmanship A translation of the earliest illustrated manual of medieval hand-to-hand combat by Prof. Jeffrey Foregeng of the Higgins Armory. (Learn more: Hear an interview with Prof. Forgeng on Episode 26 of the Chivalry Today Podcast.)

These two translations of manuals of medieval sword combat provide authentic illustrations and descriptions of swordfighting from the masters of the period.

• Medieval Combat of Hans Talhoffer
• Codex Wallerstein

The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe An overview of the practices and symbolism of martial arts in the Middle Ages by Prof. Sydney Anglo of the University of Wales.

Fighting with the German Longsword A practical interpretation of medieval fighting techniques, based on studies of period manuals, accompanied by outstanding photography.

Reclaiming The Blade An acclaimed documentary detailing recent interest and scholarship into medieval martial arts and how they affect the image of swords, knights and heroes in today’s media. (Learn more: Hear an interview with Daniel McNicoll, director of Reclaiming The Blade, in Episode 30 of the Chivalry Today Podcast.)

Chivalrous Philosophy and Living

Batman and Philosophy: The Dark Knight of the Soul There is perhaps no more iconic image of the “knight” in modern literature and media than Batman – this book explores the ethical and philosophical elements of the tales of the Dark Knight and sheds light on how chivalry shapes the image of the hero in a world of moral ambiguity.

Choosing Civility Kindness, consideration and patience are hard to come by in today’s world – this bestselling book explains how and why these qualities can be restored in modern society. (Learn more: Listen to an interview with Prof. PM Forni, author of Choosing Civility, on Episode 33 of the Chivalry Today Podcast.)

The Right Thing: Conscience, Profit and Personal Responsibility in Today’s Business How do business leaders include a sense of ethics and honor into the corporate climate? This book explores the balance of competitiveness and conscience – a dichotomy that is at the heart of chivalry as a principle for ethical leadership.

Highest Duty: My Search For What Really Matters Few people would argue that Capt. Chesley Sullenberger is an example of a modern “knight in shining armor.” His thoughts on living a life of value provide tangible proof that chivalry still matters today.

The Narcissism Epidemic An investigation into the “me first” culture of today’s world, with a subjective understanding of the social importance of humility. (Learn more: Prof. W. Keith Campbell, co-author of The Narcissism Epidemic, will be an interview guest on the Jan. 2010 edition of the Chivalry Today Podcast – be sure to listen!)

Be the Pack Leader “Dog whisperer” Cesar Millan gives some thoughts about leadership and the surprisingly chivalrous ideals that go into pack mentality (Read Chivalry Goes To The Dogs, an excerpt from Cesar Millan’s book.)

Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior Acclaimed martial artist Bohdi Sanders explores the universal elements of duty, restraint and responsibility that are the foundations of every warrior’s code.

Partly Cloudy: Ethics in War Prof. David L. Perry gives a frank and insightful examination on the changing face of global conflict and the principles of just and ethical military policy that are founded on the code of chivalry. (Read Chivalry And Humanity, an article by Prof. David Perry, on the Chivalry Today website.)

Raising Unselfish Children In A Self-Absorbed World A new look at how parents can instill a sense of service and responsibility – and the happiness and satisfaction that go with them – in their children.

Raising A Modern-Day Knight A guide for building a life-long sense of honor and respect in today’s children, based on the images and values of knighthood.

Sounds Of A Medieval Christmas

Medieval holiday festivals had a sound all their own. If you’re longing for something more traditional than the usual strains of Rudolph, Frosty and Silver Bells, check out these CDs and downloads that will help you celebrate Christmas like it’s 1199!

• Thys Yool CD and Download
• On Yoolis Night CD and Download
• Ancient Noels Download

A Few Little Extras

The Art of the Catapult Everything you need to craft a backyard siege engine – catapult, ballista or trebuchet. (Learn more: William Gurstelle, author of The Art of the Catapult, will be an interview guest on the June 2010 edition of the Chivalry Today Podcast. Be sure to listen!)

Castle Book and DVD Explore the design, building and defense of a medieval castle through the delightful artwork of David Macaulay.

Nova: Medieval Siege See the building of two full-size medieval war engines as part of Nova’s acclaimed “Secrets of the Ancient World” series.

Spamalot Soundtrack Toe-tapping tunes from the latest Broadway spectacular featuring King Arthur and his (very silly!) kn-nik-its!

Caracassonne This fun-for-the-whole-family tabletop game lets you explore the medieval world as you manage your own monasteries, cities, forests and roadways, planting crops and protecting the villagers against outlaws.

Happy (and Chivalrous!) Holidays from Chivalry Today.

No matter what holiday you celebrate this season, we here at Chivalry Today wish you joy and happiness, and thank you for helping us keep chivalry alive and well.

Related posts:

1. Next Season’s Fun
2. Jedi Knights
3. Episode 24: Monty Python and the Code of Chivalry

QuickLinks – Buy the titles from the authors interviewed in this show by using the following links:
Song of the Sparrow
The Mental_Floss History Of The World

Help support the Chivalry Today podcast

Your contribution of any amount makes the Chivalry Today Podcast possible, and helps make Chivalry Today presentations available to schools, libraries and youth groups as part of our ongoing educational outreach program.

If you enjoy our podcast offerings, please take a moment to help keep them coming.

Segment 1: Loyalty, Leadership and No-Layoff

• Read a piece in about the financial and logistic factors behind no-layoff programs in the Wall Street Journal;
• NPR profiles several large manufacturing companies that have implemented no-layoff policies to retain their employees.

Lisa Ann Sandell, author of Song of the Sparrow.

Segment 2: Chivalry á la Shalott – Interview with Lisa Ann Sandell, author of Song of the Sparrow

• Buy Song Of The Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell.
• Segment music: The Lady of Shalott, sung by Loreena McKennitt is from her 2006 CD The Visit.
• Full text of the poem The Lady of Shalott by Alfred Lord Tennyson (with study notes for students and other interested readers who want to know a bit more about this famous piece).
• 19th century paintings depicting romantic images of the Lady of Shalott by  J.W. Waterhouse (two versions from 1894 and the most famous from 1888) and William H. Hunt.
• Follow Lisa’s further writings and thoughts in her blog.

Below: Video of The Lady of Shalott, performed by Loreena McKennitt.

Erik Sass is co-author of The Mental_Floss History of the World.

Segment 3: Erik Sass Flosses Up The Age of Chivalry

• Buy The Mental_Floss History Of The World
• Learn more about Mental_Floss Magazine, “Where Knowledge Junkies Get Their Fix.”

Take the Chivalry Today Listener Challenge and be entered to win next month’s prize.

Next month on Episode 37: Prof. Jennifer R. Goodman, author of Chivalry and Exploration: 1298-1630

Related posts:

1. Podcast 35: Chivalry Takes Wing
2. Podcast 40: Scouting With Chivalry
3. Podcast 39: Chivalry in Renaissance Martial Arts

Students gather to watch knights in armor ride and discover the ideals of chivalry in the First Knight program.

Trying to instill the qualities of chivalry in modern society sometimes seems a bit like shouting in the wilderness – which is why it’s always heartening to discover a group that is working on a similar quest. A recent article in the San Marcos (Texas) Daily Record brought my attention to another group who sees the ideals of the code of chivalry as a worthy template for ethics in today’s world: the Rotary Club of San Marcos.

According to the article (and the Club’s chapter website) the Rotarians of San Marcos sponsor a project called “First Knight/Early Act.” The goal of the program (prepare for some familiar concepts here) is to use the imagery and history of chivalry to inspire first through fifth graders at local schools to take the concepts of ethics and honor to heart. The program uses short, daily homework assignments to get students to understand the practicalities of living by the ideals of chivalry.

Their methodology (based on the principles of the Rotarians) is to give students a four-point checklist to monitor their own behavior and motivation:

1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all?
3. Will it build good will and friendship?
4. Will it be beneficial to all?

Wouldn’t it be nice if more organizations today applied these standards to their actions, rather than simply asking questions like: “Is it profitable?” or “Will our stockholders benefit?”

Rotary Club Past President David Brady said: “All kids everywhere are in desperate need of ethics training and learning right from wrong.” A noble and knightly goal indeed! I’m sure I speak for all Chivalry Today fans when I say we salute the First Knight program and the work of the Rotary Club of San Marcos.

Learn more: Read the story Chivalry Is Alive and Well in the San Marcos Daily Record.

Related posts:

1. Chivalry Awards Of 2009
2. Podcast 42: Summer Of Chivalry
3. Introduction to Chivalry Today

A cell phone is all that's necessary to summon chivalry in the rain. (Photo © Jon Murray)

I look forward to my walk beside Central Park to the SkyTrain in Burnaby every morning.

I watch the seasons change, leaves now turning and falling, people out and intent on transit, work and school.

Tuesday morning was cloudy but no rain so the umbrella was stowed in my backpack. When the first fat drops began, quickly turning into major rain I had no worries. Umbrella out .

As I walk a young woman steps out in front of me. She’s wearing a thick sweater, no hat or umbrella and now it’s raining harder and she’s getting seriously wet. Thirty years ago I wouldn’t have hesitated to share my umbrella but although she looks 15 or 16 she could be 12 or 13 and I’m a 60-year old man with visions of accusations of everything from lechery to pedophilia.

She gets wetter, and as I pass she’s busy texting on the phone.

Half a block later a young guy comes running toward me, one of those kids who has probably grown eight inches in the last six months, legs, arms, elbows and knees flying everywhere.

His coat is flapping, umbrella streaming, loaded backpack shifting madly, side-to-side. I note that his eyes are focused, he’s intent, he’s on a mission.

And then I get it. Sure enough as I look behind I see that chivalry and a cellphone have come to the rescue.

About the author: This story by Allan White originally appeared in the Nov. 12, 2009 edition of The Province.

Read More True Stories of Chivalry

A Ticket To Chivalry

Knight of the Water Tower

Chivalry and A Mother’s Courage

Chivalry Today’s True Stories of Chivalry Collection, submitted by our website visitors

Related posts:

1. A Humble Knight
2. Chival-oution
3. Grandfather’s Love and Courage

Little acts of kindness and consideration are deeply woven into our cultural fabric. Whether you call them “chivalry” or just good manners, things like holding a door, standing when you meet somebody or letting someone ahead of you in line are the sorts of actions that distinguish someone as a lady or gentleman “of good character.”

But in the debate over the place of chivalry in today’s world, there is a distinction that is often overlooked: What happens when an act of kindness becomes expected or obligatory? When chivalry is demanded of someone, is it really chivalry at all?

In a blog on the topic of chivalry in modern society, Ambrose Tan proposed an intriguing “thought experiment” on both the actions and motivations that define chivalry. The questions he poses may help us all to recognize the boundaries of chivalry – and remind us that no act of kindness or respect should ever be taken for granted.

Consider the following situation: A man and a woman approach a place where their paths intersect. At the intersection, they both stop momentarily. Perhaps they wish each other, “Good morning.” Then …

1. The man gives the woman passage first and bids her a safe journey if they have exchanged greetings. He then resumes his passage.
2. The woman does not stop, assuming her right to passage first. The man stops momentarily, having no choice, then resumes his passage after the woman passes.
3. The man resumes his passage first. The woman is momentarily taken aback but continues her journey.
4. The woman does not stop, assuming her right to passage first. Alas, the man does not intend to be forced to stop, and speeds up, narrowly passing the woman first. The woman is momentarily taken aback but continues her journey.

In which of these cases has chivalry not occurred?

Let’s see what the Compact Oxford English Dictionary of Current English says about chivalry: it is “courteous behaviour, especially that of a man towards women.” Now let’s see what it says about being courteous: it means to be “polite, respectful, and considerate.” Neither “being chivalrous” nor “being courteous towards a woman” is an act that does not involve deliberate choice.

The obvious answer to the question above is 3, and many will say 4. And there are many who will not think the same of 2. I say otherwise. Of course, 1 is a case in which chivalry has definitely prevailed, but can 2 truly be called chivalry, and is 4 definitely only the fault of the man?

The difference between 1 and 2 lies in the mentality of the party “expecting” chivalry in 2. Chivalry is a choice, but in 2 instead the man has been forced to accede to a particular outcome of the encounter, a farce of “chivalry”, and to accept the disrespect of being on the receiving end of bad manners. In 4 he has bravely stood up against it but will later on be castigated for his actions, somewhat unfairly.

I suspect what many of today’s women lament about, especially (some of) the highfalutin “educated elite” types who like to place themselves on a pedestal, on the lack of “chivalry” on the part of today’s men, are occurrences of case 4 rather than 3. But they have taken it for granted, and to lament about the lack of something when it is being taken for granted is to be pompous, conceited, arrogant and even presumptuous.

Lament about it when you have respected the other party and the right of choice, treated the other party with good intentions and he does not show chivalry to you. He may be crossing your path, but remember that you are crossing his too. Learn to respect others and you may stand the chance of having it reciprocated (which should be) and you might find yourself pleasantly in case 1.

But take another person’s courtesy for granted and you may find yourself rudely confronted with case 4 as retaliation for your self-aggrandizement and disrespect of others — assuming your “right” to a shared space, “just because”, as in cases 2 and 4. Chivalry does not mean someone else has to accept your lack of basic manners — this is the fine line, and you may only have yourself to blame if you choose to cross it and find yourself in case 4.

Finally I want to say that men should be chivalrous. But chivalrous because they want to be, not because others force them or want them to be. And women who demand chivalry? Chivalry is something that is given, not taken.

Chivalry is a two-way street, not one.

Ambrose Tan’s blog is Varnish Is Pretty. It Smells Bad, which is where this article was originally published.

Related posts:

1. Be Worthy of Chivalry
2. Putting Down Chivalry’s Baggage
3. Great Expectations: Chivalry In Tomorrow’s Knights

The Battle of Agincourt in 1415 is a watershed moment in the history of chivalry and knighthood. It was an event when the army of France, which consisted primarily of knights armed with the finest “high tech” military equipment of the day, was defeated by a much smaller English force, comprised primarily of yeomen and peasant archers.

Agincourt thus became symbolic of the triumph of the “commoner” over the knightly nobility; of grit and determination over chivalry and gallantry. But there is another side to the imagery of Agincourt — that of a small, courageous band of brothers standing against all odds and emerging victorious not only by force of arms but also by strength of character and virtue. Songs were written about the English King Henry V immediately after the battle saying his victory was won, “by grace and might of chivalry.”

But recent scholarly investigations into the Battle of Agincourt are beginning to remold our image of this historic event — and these updated images of the campaign, the battle and the men who fought it (on both sides) have been incorporated into the recent novel Azincourt» (the medieval spelling) by acclaimed historical novelist Bernard Cornwell.

But if our image of the Battle of Agincourt – the arrogant French knights, the valiant English king, the stalwart bowmen – is being repainted, what does that do to the concept of chivalry? Was Agincourt an excoriation of an outdated notion of aristocratic privilege? Or an atrocity against the very concept of ethics on the battlefield?

This article, written by Bernard Cornwell himself and published in the Oct. 28, 2008 edition of The Daily Mail, may shed some light on just how the concept of chivalry emerged from the muddy battlefield at Agincourt.

Legend says the Battle of Agincourt was won by stalwart English archers. It was not. In the end it was won by men using lead-weighted hammers, poleaxes, mauls and falcon-beaks, the ghastly paraphernalia of medieval hand-to-hand fighting. It was fought on a field knee-deep in mud and it was more of a massacre than a battle.

The romantic image of Shakespeare's Henry V (played here by Sir Lawrence Olivier) maybe inspirational, but it also appears in stark contrast to the authentic image of the king and his army who fought at Agincourt.

Laurence Olivier’s film of Shakespeare’s Henry V shows French knights charging on horseback, but very few men were mounted at Agincourt.

The French came on foot and the battle was reduced to men hitting other armoured men with hammers, maces and axes.

A sword would not penetrate armour and did not have the weight to knock a man off his feet, but a poleaxe (a long-handled axe or hammer, topped with a fearsome spike) would fell him fast, and then it was easy to raise the victim’s visor and slide a knife through an eye. That was how hundreds of men died; their last sight on earth a dagger’s point.

It is not a tale of chivalry, but rather of armoured men hacking at each other to break limbs and crush skulls. At the battle’s height, when Henry V expected an attack on his rear that never materialised, he ordered the newly captured French prisoners to be killed. They were murdered.

(Recently) during a conference at the Medieval History Museum in Agincourt, French academics met to declare that English soldiers acted like ‘war criminals’ during the battle, setting fire to prisoners and killing French noblemen who had surrendered. The French ‘were met with barbarism by the English’, said the museum’s director Christophe Gilliot.

The French pronouncement smacks of bias, but what is certain is that Agincourt was filthy, horrible and merciless. Yet it is still celebrated as a golden moment in England’s history.

Why do we remember it? Why has this battle galvanised English hearts over the centuries? These are questions I came to ask as I researched my new novel Azincourt» – spelled as it is in France – and discovered just what an extraordinary event it was.

Part of the legend about the archers is certainly true. Most of the English army were archers and their arrows caused huge damage, although they never delivered the knock-out blow it is claimed.

Henry V was also an inspirational leader. He fought in the front rank and part of his crown was knocked off. Eighteen Frenchmen had taken an oath to kill him and all of them died at Henry’s feet, slaughtered by the King or by his bodyguard. And, despite recent claims to the contrary, it seems the English were horribly outnumbered.

In the cold, wet dawn of October 25, 1415, no one could have expected Henry’s army to survive the day. He had about 6,000 men, more than 5,000 of them archers, while the French numbered at least 30,000 and were so confident that, before the battle was joined, they sent away some newly arrived reinforcements. By dusk on that Saint Crispin’s Day, Henry’s small army had entered legend.

But the English should never have been at Agincourt, which lies 25 miles south of Calais. England was in the thick of the 100 Years’ War with France, and Henry had invaded Normandy in the hope of making a quick conquest of Harfleur, a strategic port. Yet the town’s stubborn defence delayed him and by the siege’s end his army had been struck by dysentery.

Sick men were dying and the campaign season was ending as winter drew in. Sensible advice suggested that Henry cut his losses and sail back to England. But he had borrowed huge amounts of money to invade France and all he had to show for it was one gun-battered port. Going home looked suspiciously like defeat.

He instead marched north to Calais with probably nothing more in mind than cocking a snook at the French who, though they had gathered an army, had done nothing to relieve the brave defenders of Harfleur.

Henry wanted to humiliate the French by flaunting his banners, yet I doubt he truly wanted to face that large French army with his own depleted numbers.

The French had been supine all summer, but now, suddenly, they woke and moved to block Henry’s path. Henry tried to go round them. A march meant to last eight days stretched to 16. The English exhausted their food, they were ill with dysentery and soaked from the continual autumn rains.

They were driven far inland in search of a place to cross the River Somme and then trudged north, only to discover the French army waiting for them on a muddy field between the woods of Azincourt and Tramecourt. The English were trapped.

The French were barring the English road home, so Henry had to fight. He hoped the French would attack him and he ordered his archers to protect themselves from knights on horseback by making a thicket of sharpened stakes to impale the stallions’ chests.

But the French remained motionless, so Henry was forced to advance on them. Did he really say ‘Let’s go, fellows!’ as one contemporary claimed? It seems so, yet whatever his words, the English plucked up their stakes and waded through the mud to get close to the French line.

And the French, even though they must have seen that the English were in disarray, did nothing. They let Henry’s men come to within extreme bowshot distance where, once again, the stakes were hammered into the ground and the battle line was reformed on a newly ploughed field that had been soaked by constant rain. If I had to suggest one cause for the French defeat, it would be mud.

The two sides were now little more than a couple of hundred paces apart. The English, astonishingly, had been given time to reposition themselves, and now the archers began the battle by shooting a volley of arrows.

At least 5,000 of them, most converging from the flanks, slashed into the French, and it seems that the shock of that first arrow strike prompted the French to attack.

A handful of Frenchmen advanced on horseback, trying to get among the archers, but mud, stakes and arrows easily defeated those knights. Some of the horses, maddened by pain, galloped back through the French men-at-arms, tearing their ranks into chaos.

Some 8,000 Frenchmen were now advancing on foot. No one knows how long it took them to cover the 200 or more paces which separated them from Henry’s men-at-arms, but it was not a quick approach.

They were wading through mud made treacherous by deeply ploughed furrows and churned to quagmire by horses’ hooves. And they were being struck by arrows so that they were forced to close their helmets’ visors.

They could see little through the tiny eye- slits, their breathing was stifled and still the arrows came. The conventional verdict suggests that the French were cut down by those arrow storms, but the chief effect of the arrows was to delay and, by forcing them to close their visors, half-blind the attackers.

The French knew about English and Welsh archers. The longbow could shoot an arrow more than 200 paces with an accuracy that was unmatched till the rifled gun barrel was invented.

At Agincourt some barbed broadhead arrows (which were designed to cause maximum damage and could fell cavalry) would have been shot at those few horses that attacked the English line. But most were bodkins, long and slender arrowheads without barbs that were made to pierce armour.

A good archer could easily shoot 15 arrows a minute, so 5,000 archers could loose 75,000 arrows in one minute; more than 1,000 a second.

Why did the French not deploy their own longbowmen? Because to shoot a longbow demanded great strength (they were at least three times as powerful as a modern competition bow) and considerable skill. It took years for a man to develop the muscles and technique, and for reasons that have never been understood, such men emerged in Britain, but not on the Continent.

So as the first French line advanced it was being struck repeatedly by arrows, and even if a bodkin did not penetrate plate armour its strike was sufficient to knock a man backwards.

If the advance took four minutes (and I suspect it took longer), then about 300,000 arrows would have been shot at the 8,000 men.

Even if the English were short of arrows and cut their shooting rate to one-third, then they would still have driven 100,000 arrows against the struggling 8,000, and if the legend is correct, then not one of those Frenchmen should have survived.

Yet they did survive, and most of them reached the English line and started fighting with shortened lances, poleaxes and war-hammers.

The fight became a struggle of hacking and thrusting, slaughter in the mud.

But if so many arrows had been shot, how did the French survive to reach the English and start that murderous brawl? The answer probably lies in the eternal arms race …

Learn More: Shakespeare’s Famous Band Of Brothers

The famous St. Crispin’s Day Speech from Shakespeare’s Henry V, delivered here by Lawrence Olivier in a 1944 motion picture, creates a stirring and romantic image of chivalry at Agincourt. Is it an image of a king, an army and a code of honor built on literary grandeur rather than historical reality?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Related posts:

1. Agincourt Part 2: Where A New Crop Of Chivalry Was Planted
2. Real Knights, Real Chivalry: Part 2
3. Teaching With Chivalry Part III: Ethics, Tactics and Literature

In the second part of this article, as in his latest novel Azincourt,» Cornwell paints a stark and brutal picture of Agincourt. Yet, despite the folly and callousness demonstrated at times by both sides in this battle, the day did not result in “the death of chivalry,” as some pragmatic historians might like to claim. Instead, Agincourt might better be described as “the transformation of chivalry” … from an ideal that applied only to an elite and aristocratic few, to one that every man, “no matter how vile” (in the words of Shakespeare) could achieve.

The English army at Agincourt was one in which peasant and knight stood side-by-side in the mud — it might have brought the knights low, but it also let those humble English yeomen feel a bit of the chivalric glow that had previously illuminated the knightly class alone. This was a moment — perhaps one of the first in all of history — when an everyman could imagine himself as a knight in shining armor.

A 19th century artist's depiction of the disheartened English soldiers receiving blessing on the eve of Agincourt.

Armour technology had advanced and the French plate armour was mostly good enough to resist the English arrow-heads. And how good were those heads?

Arrow-making was an industrial-scale activity in England, yet few men understood what happened when iron was hardened into steel and many of the English arrows crumpled on contact with the enemy’s armour. So the many reached the few, but the many were exhausted by mud, some were wounded and the English, enjoying the luxury of raised visors, cut them down.

What seems to have happened was that the front rank of the French, exhausted by slogging through the mud, battered and wounded by arrows, disorganised by panicked horses and by stumbling over wounded men, became easy victims for the English men-at-arms.

There would have been the ghastly sound of hammers crushing helmets, the screams of men falling, and suddenly the leading French rank being chopped down and its fallen men becoming an obstacle to those behind who, being thrust forward by the rearmost ranks, tripped on the newly fallen bodies and so became victims themselves. One witness claimed that the pile of dead and dying was as tall as a man, an obvious exaggeration, but undoubtedly the first French casualties made a rampart to protect the English men-at-arms.

The French had attacked the centre of the English line where the King, the nobles and the gentry stood. Their aim had been to take prisoners and so become rich from ransoms, but now that centre was a killing ground and, to escape it, the French widened their attack to assault the archers who had probably exhausted their arrows.

Yet the archers had been equipped with poleaxes and other handweapons, and they fought back.

The bowmen wore little armour, and in the glutinous mud they were far more mobile than their plate-armoured opponents.

Any man capable of hauling a warbow’s string was hugely strong and a battle-axe in his hands would be a ghastly weapon. So the archers joined the hand-to-hand fight and the tired French were killed in their hundreds.

The second French line, another 8,000 men on foot, tried to support their beleaguered colleagues, but they too were cut down and the rest of the French melted away. The extraordinary, awful battle was over. The field was now groaning with horribly wounded men; men lying in piles, men suffocating in mud, dead men, blood-drenched men.

Perhaps as many as 5,000 French died that day, while English losses were in the hundreds, maybe not even as many as 200. The few had gained their extraordinary triumph.

There were other victories, like Poitiers in 1356, that were more decisive, and it is arguable that Agincourt achieved very little; it would take another five years of warfare before Henry won the concessions he wanted from the French and even then his premature death proved those gains worthless.

Shakespeare’s heart-stirring Henry V helped ensure the battle’s place in English folklore, but Shakespeare was playing to an audience that already knew the tale and wanted to hear it again.

Agincourt was well-known long before Shakespeare made it immortal, yet even so there were those other great triumphs like Poitiers and Crecy, so why Agincourt?

It must have started with the stories told by survivors. They had expected annihilation and gained victory. It might even be true that the archers, when the battle was over, taunted the French by holding up the two string-fingers that the enemy had threatened to slice off every captured bowman – the V- sign that is common parlance today.

The men in Henry’s army must have believed they had been part of a miracle. The few had destroyed the many, and most of those few were archers.

They were not lords and knights and gentry, but butchers, bakers and candlestick-makers from the shires. They were the ordinary men of England and Wales. They had met the awesome power of France in hand-to-hand fighting and they had won.

The battle is part of the binding of England, the emergence of the common man as a vital part of the nation, and those common men returned to England with their tales, their plunder and their pride.

The stories were told in taverns over and over, how a few hungry, trapped men had gained an amazing victory. The story is still told because it has such power. It is a tale of the common man achieving greatness. It is an English tale for the ages, an inspiration and – far from being ashamed of so-called ‘war crimes’ – we can be proud of it.

Bernard Cornwell on the Battle of Agincourt

Click here to view the embedded video.

Learn More: The Battle of Agincourt

• An article in the New York Times shows how historians are using tax records to reassess the Battle of Agincourt — and a familiar picture of war and soldiers is emerging.
• Historians Anne Curry, Michael Jones and John Watts discuss the latest documentary evidence for the compositions of the armies that met at Agincourt in 1415 on the show In Our Time on BBC Radio.
• Was King Henry V the greatest monarch who ever lived? England’s Daily Mail seeks an answer to the question.

More Of Bernard Cornwell’s Novels of Chivalry and Medieval Adventure:

The Archer's Tale» A Novel of the Hundred Years War
The Winter King» A Novel of Historical King Arthur
The Last Kingdom» A Novel of Alfred the Great and Saxon England

Related posts:

1. Agincourt Part 1: Where Chivalry Died In The Mud
2. Real Knights, Real Chivalry: Part 2
3. The Medicine of Chivalry

Help support the Chivalry Today podcast

Your contribution of any amount makes the Chivalry Today Podcast possible, and helps make Chivalry Today presentations available to schools, libraries and youth groups as part of our ongoing educational outreach program.

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Segment 1: Chivalry, Zulu Style

• Watch Battlefield Kali expert Burton Richardson training with Zulu tribesmen in a traditional stickfighting sport.
  

  Click here to view the embedded video.

Segment 2: Chess and Chivalry with Prof. Benjamin Hale

Prof. Benjamin Hale, assistant professor in environmental studies and philosophy at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Prof. Benjamin Hale and show host Scott Farrell had a 40-minute conversation about the philosophy of chivalry which had to be edited out of the podcast. Listen to what they had to say:

• Enjoy a selection of Prof. Hale’s writings on philosophy, morality and social responsibility on his website.
• Buy Philosophy Looks At Chess» edited by Prof. Benjamin Hale.

Rachel Dickinson, author of Falconer On The Edge

Segment 3: Interview with Rachel Dickinson, author of Falconer On The Edge: A Man, His Birds And The Vanishing Landscape Of The American West

• Buy Falconer On The Edge»
• Follow Rachel’s ongoing involvement in the world of falconry and falconers on her blog, Falconer On The Edge, which includes (seriously!) falconry haiku.

Related posts:

1. Podcast 37: Explorations Of Chivalry
2. Podcast 40: Scouting With Chivalry
3. Podcast 42: Summer Of Chivalry

One of the most famous illustrated books of the Middle Ages, the Livre de Chasse (or “Master of Game”) by Gaston Phoebus, brings the medieval sport of hunting to life in colorful detail. (Illustrations from the book are included throughout this article courtesy of the National Library of France.) Knights, princes and noble ladies loved to go hunting – but villagers, farmers, abbots and even nuns took part in the sport as well. Livre de Chasse shows not just the practical value of hunting (good exercise and putting food on the table), but also the social and cultural importance of the sport as well. In the illustrations, hunters and game animals alike are depicted with an unmistakable spirit of dignity and nobility, and hawks and hounds, like good knights, are imbued with a sense of loyalty and self-sacrifice.

But perhaps the most evocative of these illustrations are those in which the “master hunter” himself instructs a band of young hunters on the techniques, rituals and etiquette of the hunt (pictured at right). Clearly, the hunt was a learning opportunity for principles like responsibility and self-control. Hunting was a rite of passage, and it might be the first place a young knight could learn (and demonstrate) the ideals of the code of chivalry.

In today’s world, we sometimes forget that a rite of passage serves as an important aspect in the establishment of a moral code. Without moments to pause and reflect on what we’ve learned, where we’ve been and where we want to go, our values and principles can get “lost in the shuffle.” As this article, written by an avid hunter, reminds us, it’s not the activity that’s important. Rites of passage can be found in hunting, team sports or martial arts; in sending a child off to school, cooking a family meal or getting behind the wheel of the family car. Whatever the occasion, parents should use every opportunity to instill the values of honor, responsibility and chivalry in their children — and take every opportunity to look back and recall the lessons they learned at those “turning points” in the cycle of life.

Rites Of Passage Build A Code Of Honor

Another year is rapidly coming to a close, and with autumn comes the opening of deer season. Hunting is one of the things all of us guys look forward to, and we usually start feeling the itch shortly after Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game!

I brought my two sons to help with the camp and field preparations for this year’s hunt. It was hard work, but I wanted them to begin to learn the value of teamwork, pack-it-in/pack-it-out stewardship, and sweat equity — very important lessons for children to develop.

As a father, I want my kids to know how important it is to appropriately manage the natural resources God provided for us. If they want to hunt, they need to put in the effort at the front and tail end of the season.

After the day’s work, and the kids had bedded down for the night, something occurred to me: The modern youth have very few moments in their lives where they can definitively mark life transitions. What I mean is that kids these days will transition from toddler, to adolescence, to teens, to adulthood with little life mile marker or fanfare.

In the days of King Arthur’s knights, there were waypoints a youth could strive for, and look back on, that showed they had “made” it. C.S. Lewis wrote in The Necessity of Chivalry, that there is a dichotomy in manhood that finds a healthy fusion in the person of the knight and the code of chivalry — we find gentleness and fierceness in the knight. This is an ideology that should not be lost on the young men of today. Lewis writes:

As a young man in the warrior class, these boys would be singled out and sent to the castle as a page. A page was a servant of the king or other stately aristocrat who would train the young lad. The page would clean stables, repair barns, learn combat skills, and in general, serve the needs of the lord of the manor. Essentially this made great leaders as each knight learned what it meant to serve the needs of others before his own were met.

After seven years as a page — around the age of 14 — he graduated to the position of squire. With the increase in position, so came the increase in responsibility. The squire moved from service to the lord, to service to a knight. For a squire to become a knight, he had to show loyalty and bravery in harsh, battle conditions. The squire was the shield bearer of the knight, which is to say, he was the knight’s personal aide. He carried the shield, the banner of the knights family, guarded the knight’s prisoners, and replaced the knight’s sword should it become lost or damaged in battle. At the age of 14, the squire was an aspiring knight and he discharged his duties to the best of his abilities.

Finally the squire becomes a knight. He has faithfully served his master for nearly a decade and has proven his usefulness to society, the king, and the realm. Similar to the U.S. Marine’s mantra, “Unit, Corp., God, Country,” the knight fought for the ideals of his country and was self-sacrificing for his countrymen. Over 20 years, this young man has learned his responsibility to his people, his humility before ladies, and his duty to fight as protector of the intangibles of State.

In each of these transitions, there was a ceremony (perhaps small) that would mark the boy’s promotion and responsibility change. This would culminate in the ceremony of knighthood. The knighting ceremony was a ritual not taken lightly by the squire; after all, he’d been waiting his entire life for such an occasion.

It began with a ritual bath the night before the ceremony. He would then engage in an all-night prayer vigil — many times his armament would be laid on the alter — and receive the blessing of the church. His father (if a knight himself), the king, a noble, another knight, or clergy would confer knighthood by dubbing the squire’s shoulders with the flat of the sword.

The newly dubbed knight would swear an oath, rise, and then publicly display his warrior prowess by performing different combat techniques. The oath of chivalry included the knight’s commitment to always defend a lady; always speak the truth; have devotion to the church; be charitable and brave. There is a modern equivalent of the knight that swears similar virtues — the Boy Scouts.

So what does the modern parent do? Most of us don’t have stables to clean, damsels to save, and dragons to slay. How do we train our kids into the code of chivalry and provide markers in their development for them to see they are moving up as young men?

A friend of mine planned a milestone for his son’s 12th birthday. Jon lives up in Kansas and his parents have some property that is moderately wooded. Out among the trees, in a quiet place, was a folding chair and father and son took a walk from the car to the chair. While son sat down, father began to explain the meaning of manhood. He spoke to his son about integrity; doing the right thing even when nobody was there to watch. He spent about 15 minutes with his son alone in the woods on the topic before walking back to the car.

Waiting at the car was Jon’s dad, who then took a turn with his grandson at the chair in the woods. His conversation covered duties as a husband. He spoke of the Biblical mandate to keep charge over his future bride, to protect her physically and emotionally; to be a provider; to serve her needs before his own; and to lead with courage and commitment. About 20 minutes later, grandfather and grandson approach the car, where Jon’s father-in-law awaits his turn.

Back to the chair they walk where grandfather speaks of a man’s responsibility to his children. To pass on leadership qualities; to care and provide for them; to discipline with equity and consistency; to instill in them a desire to succeed in all they do.

Each of these men discussed humility on the one hand, and excellence on the other. Leadership means that you accept responsibility when you do things wrong, and share glory when it goes right. As the four gathered at the car, the three men prayed with the boy. As a present, they presented a .22 LR rifle to him. With the passage from childhood and closing in on manhood, the rifle, like the sword, was meant to show that his responsibilities had changed and with that came greater trust.

As I bring this article full circle, my sons are learning to shoot, and developing a love of the outdoors. This dove season, with a .410 in hand, my son was able to shoot his first dove, and learn how to clean it. We will enjoy a dinner with the animals we harvested at the end of the season. He too has learned that he is gaining responsibilities and he must exercise great care with the things he is trusted with.

In our day and age, hunting should be a rite of passage for a young lad. They learn a healthy respect for the deadly weapon they have shouldered for the task, and they learn respect for wildlife and proper game management. Stewardship. Hunting and the outdoors bring us closer to those knights before us who balanced ferocity and tenderness. A true man. The kind of characteristics our young boys should admire and model.

©2009 Brian Gleason

Related posts:

1. A New Order
2. Great Expectations: Chivalry In Tomorrow’s Knights
3. A Knight in the Water Tower

What Does It Mean To Be A Leader?

Leadership isn’t simply the willingness to go to any length to “get the job done.” Leaders demand accountability and respect where others settle for excuses, abuses and shortcuts.

Being a leader means seeing the difference between quick victory and long-term success. Being a leader means knowing how to achieve goals without venturing into self-serving, unscrupulous, exploitative practices and actions. Being a leader means requiring (and inspiring) nothing less than honorable, noble, chivalrous behavior from the people you work with — and thus, by extension, from yourself as well.

Ironically, being a “chivalrous leader” is a provocative proposition in today’s world, where principles and accountability are frequently set aside in exchange for immediate results and no-questions-asked profits. There’s a prevailing perception that professional standards are nothing but speed-bumps on the road to gain and achievement. We seem to be losing sight of the fact that these two concepts — honor and success — can actually go hand-in-hand.

That’s what this section of the Chivalry Today website was created for, to answer the question: Can the Code of Chivalry be used as a guide for honorable and effective leadership practices?

With so many examples of professional, political, athletic and academic scandals in the news today, this question is more timely and topical than ever. If you’re looking for a unique, colorful means of bringing new vigor, pride and reward to your team, your office or your students then prepare to explore the “leadership secrets” of the Code of Chivalry. What you read in the following articles may just change your mind about what it means to be a leader.

Related posts:

1. The True Secret of Leadership
2. A Leader Defined
3. Business and Chivalry

For the fifth season of the Chivalry Today Podcast, we’re challenging all of our listeners to share their “lines of chivalry” – a line or quote from a movie, book, poem or play that (in your opinion) perfectly captures the essence of the code of chivalry. You can submit your line of chivalry in an e-mail, or by adding it to the reader forum below.

On each episode of the podcast, host Scott Farrell will select some of the more intriguing, memorable and humorous lines to share with listeners. So don’t hesitate – share your line of chivalry with us today!

You get a chance to win too! Additionally, everyone who submits an entry into the Lines Of Chivalry Listener Challenge will be entered into our monthly drawing — each month, one entry will be selected at random to receive a book, CD or DVD (donated by one of Chivalry Today’s generous sponsors) out of the Chivalry Today prize chest. Drawing winners and prizes will be announced on every episode of the show. (See our contest rules for complete details.)

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Related posts:

1. Podcast 33: The Civil War of Chivalry
2. Ticket to Chivalry
3. Podcast 34: Werewolves Of Chivalry

Even without coffee, my ears perked right up.

The report, by journalist Jacki Lyden, took an inside look at a company of jousters who do the “touring circuit” of several Renaissance Faires throughout the country every year, and both the dangers and rewards they face in preparing for, and putting on their shows.
The piece touched on several aspects of the values of chivalry – how the sense of honor that permeates this sport appeals to audiences who “spend their days sitting in a cubicle” and “want to escape the everyday mundane grind”; and also the degree of trust and respect this competitive sport builds among its participants.

Unfortunately, the story left the concept of chivalry within the confines of the Renaissance Faire – the reporter didn’t explore whether the jousters or the spectators took away any sort of lasting ideals or different impression of a code of honor when the show was over.
Still, the report (free of the usual hokey pirate language and lame puns – they even resisted the urge to call the piece “Living the Knight Life”) left listeners with the impression that there is something serious – even respectable – to be found among the athletes and performers who put on modern day jousting shows.

Related posts:

1. American Sword of Chivalry
2. Girly Sportsmanship
3. Prince Caspian & Chivalry – Podcast 21

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Segment 1: Nine Worthies Listener Challenge & Premium Contributor Gift

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  Segment 3: Interview: Gillian Bradshaw, author of The Wolf Hunt

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Segment 2: Chimps, Chumps and the Behavioral Code of Chivalry

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  Related posts:

  1. Episode 28: Modern Romance, Courtly Love & Chivalry
  2. Episode 5: Chivalry in Other Cultures
  3. Podcast 38: Ideology of Chivalry
  
  ]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/episode-34/feed/ 1 hunting,psychology,supernatural,vampire,werewolf Scott speaks with Gillian Bradshaw, author of The Wolf Hunt, about the story of the Bisclavret (a 12th/13th century werewolf tale by Marie de France) and the ideals of nobility, justice and chivalry. Plus: Interview with psychologist and relationship t... Segment 1: Nine Worthies Listener Challenge & Premium Contributor Gift * Read the challenge guidelines (/wp/nine-worthies/#9worthies) and submit your list of Worthies; * Full rules (/wp/nine-worthies/#rules) of the contest and drawing. * Donate $100 or more* and receive our premium contributor appreciation gift: * by Ben Boos * (graphic novel) by Lee, Hart & Fujita * Segment 3: Interview: Gillian Bradshaw, author of The Wolf Hunt * Buy [/slider] * Learn more about the writings of Marie de France at the International Marie de France Society (http://www.people.vcu.edu/%7ecmarecha/) * Download an English translation of the Bisclavret (http://www.clas.ufl.edu/%7ejshoaf/Marie/)and other Lais of Marie de France from the University of Florida * Our version of Werewolves of London is from the album Kidz Bop Halloween (http://www.kidzbop.com/music/kidz-bop-holidays/kidz-bop-halloween) Scott Farrell clean 58:58 http://chivalrytoday.com/episode-34/http://media.blubrry.com/chivalry/chivalrytoday.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/Chivalry-Podcast-34-20091001.mp3 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/7g5XC9r5Imc/ http://chivalrytoday.com/paying-price/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:40:10 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://chivalrytoday.com/wp/?p=541 masculinity been decreasing over the past 20 to 30 years? Do men today have a good grasp on what it means to be a man? Related posts:
  1. Traditions of the Black Knight
  2. Chivalry Today: It Needs A Woman’s Touch
  3. Chivalry: The B.S. Debate – Part 1
  ]]> Scott Farrell comments:

  “Who pays for dinner? It’s a simple question that is loaded with a great deal of emotion in the world of dating today. Is a gentleman obligated — even required — to pick up the bill if he’s to be considered “chivalrous”? Or should a woman be allowed — even expected — to pay her fair share in the name of gender equality? In a recent newspaper survey (cited below), a large percentage of women reported that, for them, the “ultimate display of chivalry” is when a man pays for dinner. (See my sidenote comment, below.)

  As well-known celebrity John Tesh explains, paying for dinner is not just a social nicety … it is a demonstration of respect and honor. And, as an example of chivalry, such actions must be made graciously — without expectations of any sort of “return favor.” Etiquette experts are mixed on the subject — some think men should always pay, some propose that whoever issues the invitation (man or woman) should pick up the bill — but the fact remains that acts of courtesy and generosity of any sort in today’s world should be applauded.

  Sidenote: Perhaps, amid all this talk of who pays for dinner (as well as holding doors and offering coats), we should consider whether this sort of thing deserves to be rated as the “ultimate act of chivalry.” Simply picking up the check for a meal, nice as it is, hardly requires the sort of courage, morals or ethics dictated by the knightly code. Keeping your word … putting honesty before profit … being faithful … helping those in need … These are the sorts of things that should be expected of a man (or woman) who lives by the Code of Chivalry. Paying for dinner is a wonderfully gracious thing to do — upholding the principles of honor and integrity are much more meaningful “ultimate” displays of chivalry. But, such things are harder to pin down in a newspaper survey, of course!”

  

  The Height of Chivalry at the Table

  The question has been recently raised on blogs and radio talk shows: Has masculinity been decreasing over the past 20 to 30 years? Do men today have a good grasp on what it means to be a man?

  To detect a man’s level of masculinity, one question has withstood the test of time: Who pays for the dinner when you’re out on a date? Since the answer touches on equality between the sexes, the issue raises a red flag for many women.

  First, we must determine what’s the significance of a man paying for a woman’s dinner. It’s more than just a financial matter. Many men I’ve interviewed have told me that even if a woman earns a salary three times as much, they will not allow her to pay for dinner.Syndicated radio talk show host Dennis Prager weighed in on this topic on a recent broadcast:

  “What it means for the man to pay for dinner — whether it’s a sandwich at Subway or a gourmet meal — is that he’s making a statement concerning his desire to marry someday and provide for a woman.”

  When the man pays for the meal, he’s telling his date, “I’m the kind of man who wants to someday take care of the woman I marry and I may as well start in my dating life.”

  Despite today’s stress on gender equality, when it comes to a romantic dinner out, according to the Daily Mail, 50 percent of women interviewed don’t expect to pay for dinner when on a date.

  When women were asked: “What is the height of chivalry?” 36 percent admitted it is the man picking up the tab. So regardless of this modern world of social networking and internet relationships, old-fashioned values at the dinner table are still in style.

  In fact, the same survey in the Daily Mail revealed 50 percent of the women who took part of the poll are “cursory purse grabbers.” They will act as though they want to pay and make a gesture towards their purse when the bill comes, but as soon as the guy makes a move towards his wallet, she’ll put on the brakes and gracefully let him pay … as it should be.

  The survey also noted even if a date does not go well, 75 percent of men are still prepared to pay for dinner. I’m glad to hear that. Dating is not a meal earned but a meal to be enjoyed regardless of how the date turns out.

  Time Magazine refers to a “fear syndrome in men” when it comes to holding the door or standing up for a woman entering a room. They’re afraid women … might be offended by such courtesies. Many women sidestep the discomfort of a man displaying manners towards her by moving first to hold open their own door or wrestling on their coats before the man has a chance to lend a hand.

  Yes, things have truly changed, according to the advice given in a Time Magazine article: If the woman asks the man to go out on a date, then she should pay; if the man asks the woman for a date, then he should pay. Some would disagree and argue that for a guy to expect the woman to pay for dinner is not liberating but wimpy and cheap.

  Think of it this way … perhaps the emphasis on equality in this case takes away the opportunity men have to show care for a woman … not because she’s the “weaker sex” but out of respect and honor for her.

  It may be a great idea for women to give men back permission to act in a more masculine manner towards them. Yes, that includes paying for dinner, holding open a door, helping her on with her coat, standing up when she enters the room.

  One site suggests that if the man pays all the time, then the man will never be on the receiving end. Perhaps that’s the point. Are you going to pay for a woman’s dinner to receive or because you’re a male who knows this is the right thing to do?

  About the Author: John Tesh is a well-known TV personality, radio talk show host, celebrated New Age musician, and author of several “mind, body and spirit” books, such as Intelligence for Your Life: Powerful Lessons for Personal Growth» . Your can read more of John’s thoughts on relationships, spirituality and masculinity at his John Tesh Blog.

  
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  Related posts:

  1. Traditions of the Black Knight
  2. Chivalry Today: It Needs A Woman’s Touch
  3. Chivalry: The B.S. Debate – Part 1
  
  ]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/paying-price/feed/ 0 http://chivalrytoday.com/paying-price/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/aFrYRHxiRc8/ http://chivalrytoday.com/go-to-spamalot/#comments Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:37:00 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://chivalrytoday.com/wp/let%e2%80%99s-go-to-spamalot-even-though-it-is-a-silly-place/
• A Taxing King Arthur Parabel
• Prince Caspian & Chivalry – Podcast 21
• Pushing The Pram A Lot
]]>
Regular listeners of the Chivalry Today Podcast know we’ve kicked off our fourth season with a show that included an interview with actor Christopher Gurr, who has just taken over the role of King Arthur in the touring company of the Tony award-winning musical Spamalot. The show is based on (or, as its creator, Eric Idle, says, “Lovingly ripped off from”) the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail (released, believe it or not, in 1975).

Last night (that’s “night” without a K) I got to see Spamalot, which, after my lengthy conversation with Gurr, gave me an opportunity to search for nuances and hidden messages within the show (as well as enjoying some classic bits and hilarious new material, of course).

Now, anyone attending Spamalot expecting a deep, thoughtful exploration of the values of chivalry and honor, or the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is going to be sadly disappointed. (They’ve replaced the Winchester Round Table with a roulette wheel, for Pete’s sake!)





The show is all about bringing the visuals and jokes from the venerable film to life on stage — and in that, Spamalot succeeds delightfully. There are a variety of effects and production pieces that provide great visual humor — from the catapulted cow crushing Patsy to a pair of monks who provide “moving” scenery by rolling themselves in a backdrop. And there are also all the unforgettable scenes from the movie (“Bring out your dead,” and the knights who say “nee!”) that have been given just the right amount of updating.

Enjoyable as all that is, however, what keeps Spamalot from becoming nothing but a regurgitation of jokes that were getting old when President Obama was in high school are the performances, primarily those of Gurr and Merle Dandridge, who plays the Lady of the Lake.

Dandridge’s performance is rock-solid and her voice is stunning. The majority of the humor she brings to the stage comes from the vocal gymnastics she performs throughout the numbers — proving she is thoroughly capable of “over singing” any song. (You could easily imagine her as a finalist on “Camelot Idol.”)

Similarly, Gurr doesn’t mug for laughs or play Arthur as an empty-headed fop. While his knights find the humor in their roles, Gurr brings a sincerity and dignity to the character of Arthur — which, as he mentioned in the podcast, is the key to making the role, and the show, work. Even when Gurr is skipping about the stage with Patsy clopping coconut shells together to imitate hoofbeats, there’s an unmistakable regalness to Gurr’s carriage. He makes King Arthur the most emotionally engaging character in the show, and, even amid the wackiness, he makes the audience feel that King Arthur is the leader we all want to follow, and the ideal we all want to be.

It’s a metaphor that plays out very nicely in the first musical number of the second act, “Look On The Bright Side Of Life.” Arthur’s down in the dumps and feels his quest has failed. His knights all come out to cheer him up and, amid gloom and thunder, they all whip out their umbrellas and begin to sing, whistle and dance; suddenly the sun is shining all around them, even though it’s pouring rain up above.

It’s easy to miss if you’re tapping your toes to the music, but the heraldic symbol on King Arthur’s tabard in this show (just as in the original movie) is not the traditional lion, dragon or Virgin Mary … but a shining sun. And that symbol is perfectly mirrored on the surface of the umbrellas the knights twirl as they’re “singin’ in the rain.” The message is simple and nicely underplayed: Arthur is the sunshine on a rainy day.

Spamalot wasn’t created to reveal the emotional or moral depths of Arthurian legend, but this is just one of several moments in the show that demonstrate there is something thoughtful lurking under the jokes — a message that the image of King Arthur has been, is and always will be that ray of hope in an hour of darkness, the light of optimism and strength that glows even when the world seems cloaked in the clouds of doom.

Though he maybe galumphing across the stage, tap dancing on the Round Table or enduring the merciless taunts of the French soldiers, Gurr portrays King Arthur in a manner true to the chivalric ideals of the 13th century Spanish knight and author Ramon Llull, who observed that, “Hope is the principle instrument of the office of knighthood.” And whether it’s proving the power of hope and joy to overcome adversity, or just putting a smile on our faces, King Arthur and the cast of Spamalot succeed in their quest most nobly.

Spamalot runs in San Diego through Sept. 13; tickets are available through Broadway San Diego. The show also runs in San Jose, Tucson and Costa Mesa – more details are on the Spamalot website.



Related posts:

1. A Taxing King Arthur Parabel
2. Prince Caspian & Chivalry – Podcast 21
3. Pushing The Pram A Lot

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/go-to-spamalot/feed/ 0 http://chivalrytoday.com/go-to-spamalot/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/RCQOfRF4VPM/ http://chivalrytoday.com/summer-knight-surprises/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:26:00 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://chivalrytoday.com/wp/summer-knight-surprises/
• Summer Is Knight Time
• Come Join Us Live!
• Living Chivalry: Discoveries about basic virtues and modern ethics from inside a suit of armor
]]> The past three-day weekend marked the unofficial “end of summer.” Kids are all back in school, college campuses are bustling, and everyone’s returning to work and sharing pictures and tales of what they did and where they went over the summer.

Of course, I’d love to tell you I went on a lengthy tour of the castles and museums of Europe on a quest of discovery of the history and culture of knighthood … but for me (like many people this year) this was a summer for things a little closer to home. But, ironically, that doesn’t mean that I didn’t have a few pleasant, surprise (and completely serendipitous) encounters with the history of medieval knights.

Let me share them with you:

Meet Me (With Some Armor) In St. Louis

In August, I was traveling with a friend through the city of St. Louis, Missouri. We were on a quick business trip, and when I found myself with an hour to spare in the downtown area, I decided to take a stroll through the historic Forest Park, site of the 1904 World’s Fair.Sadly, since I was there on a whim, I didn’t have nearly enough time to explore the many museums, gardens and activities that are housed in the park. But I was drawn to one very prominent feature: A bronze statue of a knight on horseback, which stands in front of a very impressive building on a hilltop overlooking the park.

The statue, it turns out, is a monument to the city’s namesake, St. Louis, also known as Louis IX, the famous crusader king of medieval France. The building, it turns out, is the celebrated St. Louis Art Museum, whose motto, “Dedicated to Art and Free to All,” is carved right above the front door.

Since the price was right, I decided to poke my nose in the door and ask one simple question: “Do you have any armor on display?” The docent directed me downstairs where I spent the half-hour I had to spare visiting the museum’s gallery of medieval armor — a small but respectable offering of late-medieval weaponry and knightly equipment, including a fine example of German “Maximilian” plate armor of the 16th century.

The armor gallery is obviously very popular with museum visitors — there’s even a “Family Guide To Arms & Armor” brochure available at the front desk that allows kids to properly identify every piece of a knight’s harness, from sallet to sabaton. Unfortunately, this very nice gallery of the armor-maker’s craft is tucked away in a remote corner of the basement, and is accompanied by relatively rudimentary historical information. The display is just ripe for an active interpretation to help visitors understand the craft, function and symbolism of medieval armor — and since there’s a beautiful patch of lawn right there under the gaze of the St. Louis statue, all the museum needs is the right person or group to coordinate a demonstration of arms and armor in action.

(And if anyone from the St. Louis Art Museum is reading this, please feel free to contact Chivalry Today!)

If you’re at all intrigued by medieval arms and armor and you’re in the St. Louis area – even for a few minutes! – be sure to stop by the Art Museum and visit the armor gallery (and enjoy a picnic lunch at the riverside in Forest Park).

A Cowboy’s Spurs Aren’t The Only Things Jingling

A few weeks later my wife and I decided to take a little “road trip” vacation before the start of school through the heart of California’s Gold Rush country. We spent several days driving along the back roads along both sides of the Sierra-Nevada mountain range, haunting the mining towns that the freeway system has bypassed. There are a lot of intriguing landmarks and historic monuments in this area, but when we got to the Calaveras County Historical Society & Museum (in the town made famous for the frog-jumping contest in Mark Twain’s short story) we were surprised to see a shirt of chain mail hanging in a display case at the back of the town museum. Medieval armor is not the sort of thing you expect to see in a quiet three-room museum upstairs from the Hall of Records (and town bookshop) in California’s prospecting country.

The story of the shirt of mail was displayed on a placard beneath the case: Apparently it was owned by the notorious outlaw George Washington Cox, who was arrested in Calaveras County and sentenced in the county courthouse (which is now part of the museum). The display said “armored protectors” like the one worn by Cox were not uncommon among men who spent time on the Western frontier, since the chain mail, worn underneath a shirt or coat, was essentially proof against arrows, tomahawks, Bowie knives and just about any other sort of weapon short of a sixgun. According to the museum, there was a relatively lucrative business being done in San Francisco crafting these shirts of mail for scouts, miners, homesteaders and anyone else heading out to the dangerous reaches of the Wild West.

It seems particularly ironic that the cowboys and gunslingers, sometimes called “knights of the Old West,” might, in fact, have been a little closer to their medieval counterparts in their equipment than anyone previously thought.

Of course, neither of these chance encounters with knightly arms and armor has anything to do with the principles of chivalry other than to serve as a reminder that references, artifacts and images of medieval culture sometimes pop up in the most unexpected of places. The more we study and understand the world of history — whether it’s armor and castles, or chivalry and the tales of the Round Table — the more we are prepared to understand the world we live in today.



Related posts:

1. Summer Is Knight Time
2. Come Join Us Live!
3. Living Chivalry: Discoveries about basic virtues and modern ethics from inside a suit of armor

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/summer-knight-surprises/feed/ 0 http://chivalrytoday.com/summer-knight-surprises/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/CeolpwxZOx4/ http://chivalrytoday.com/recommended-books-younger/#comments Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:45:59 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://uni-versus.com/?p=115
• King Arthur By The Book
• Episode 9: Finding Camelot With Chivalry Today
• A Taxing King Arthur Parabel
]]> Scott Farrell Comments:

Frequently when I am contacted by a school, library or other educational organization, the teachers and parents want to know what books I can recommend to introduce young readers to the stories of King Arthur, the legends of Camelot, and the history of knights and chivalry in medieval culture.

Unfortunately, today many young readers (many readers of all ages, in fact) have never heard the name “King Arthur” and don’t have any idea that a “round table” has anything to do with something other than a business meeting. This is unfortunate because on the shelves of today’s bookstores there are dozens, if not hundreds of wonderful books that explore the old tales with new vigor and imagination. These are not the images of Knights of the Round Table of generations past (romatic as those might be), but rather stories of heroic adventures based on current research into medieval culture and the lore of Arthurian legend and history. Readers who might be put off by the thought of knightly legends full of “thees” and “thous” will be surprised to see just how contemporary, complex and engaging these tales are in the hands of today’s authors. And readers and teachers alike who may think these books perpetuate stereotypes about the superiority of boys (who have all the adventures, while the girls sit and watch out of the castle windows) will surely be surprised to see that female characters have very active, dynamic roles to play – some books even feature girls as the sword-swinging heroes!

Additionally, there are some great books that take advantage of the wealth of knowledge made available through the best of today’s living history groups and historical interpretation resources. Pictures of real castles, armor and jousting really bring historical studies to life.

Follow this link for a complete listing of books about King Arthur, Camelot and medieval knights at the Chivalry Today On-Line Bookshop. (Books are arranged by age category – scroll down for mid-grade and teen readers.)



Scott’s Selection of Books On King Arthur, Knights And The Code Of Chivalry

All of my live presentations include an age-appropriate reading list for attendees, and these are just some of the more commonly recommended books about knights and King Arthur. If your students are reading, or are interested in reading more about knights, medieval history and Arthurian legend, I encourage you to contact us about coming to your classroom to explore Chivalry Today!


Open the Young Readers Book Shop»

 


The preceding reading list was compiled with assistance from Alida Allison, professor at the Center for the Study of Children’s Literature at the Department of Comparative Literature of San Diego State University, and Chivalry Today thanks her for her advice. Parents, teachers and students who are looking for stories of medieval knights and chivalry, or for tales of honor and heroism from other cultures might want to check out the recommended reading list at the Parents’ Choice website, which features a variety of book reviews, including several written by Prof. Allison.



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Related posts:

1. King Arthur By The Book
2. Episode 9: Finding Camelot With Chivalry Today
3. A Taxing King Arthur Parabel

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/recommended-books-younger/feed/ 0 http://chivalrytoday.com/recommended-books-younger/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/jbTv6zDNCaQ/ http://chivalrytoday.com/class-projects/#comments Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:42:34 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://uni-versus.com/?p=110
• Motto Project
• Teaching With Chivalry Part II: Students and Chivalry
• Introduction to Chivalry Today
]]> Students Pursue the Quest for the Knightly Virtues

Chivalry-Based Student Projects

If you are a teacher, perhaps you are looking for a class-project idea that brings together a variety of lessons in a multi-discipline learning experience for your students.

If you are a student, maybe you’re looking for a project idea that will allow you to take a fresh look at favorite subject.

In either case, the Code of Chivalry may provide some answers. Below you’ll find a selection of class projects based on the principles of chivalry and the Seven Knightly Virtues. Each of these projects has the benefit of combining the lessons of history/social studies, English literature and character development. In addition, these lessons can incorporate a variety of educational elements, including expositional writing, on-line researching, public speaking, and graphic design.

We hope you (or your students) find these project suggestions helpful, and we hope you will contact us with descriptions and pictures of the final products. We enjoy sharing pictures of students discovering chivalry on our website.

Plus: Schedule Scott Farrell’s presentation on Chivalry Today as part of your academic section on medieval history or Arthurian literature.



Projects

A Motto for Every Student»

Who Is Your “Knight in Shining Armor”?»

Knightly Heroes Essay»

Make Your Own Coat of Arms»

Sports Knights»



Scott Farrell is available for presentations and lectures regarding medieval history and Chivalry Today at schools in the Southern California region. To request this program for your school, write to SAFarrell@ChivalryToday.com.

An extended video version of Scott Farrell’s seminar Chivalry Today for Students will be available to educators in the near future. Contact us for more details on how you can integrate this video into your lesson plan.

Thank you for sharing Chivalry Today with your students!


Saying a lot with just a few words is a challenging task. Students can create their own knightly mottos by researching actual historical mottos (part of every family crest and coat-of-arms) and then composing their own mottos of chivalry. Mottos should be 10 words or less, and should make a unique statement about the student’s interpretation of the Code of Chivalry. Mottos should be accompanied by an explanation (written or verbal) as to why these particular words were chosen. Extra credit should be given if the motto is translated into the student’s own language of ethnic origin (including French, German, Spanish or even Middle English).Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
The ideals of chivalry live on in the real world — writing about those ideals can help students understand and internalize the principles of the Code of Chivalry. Students can write 1,000-word essays about the person who is their “knight in shining armor,” a parent, teacher, coach or friend. These essays should be well written (including clear, expository writing and consistent character development) and they should reveal an understanding of one (or more) of the Seven Knightly Virtues. (As a bonus, students can submit their essays to Chivalry Today for consideration for inclusion in our Portraits in Chivalry section.)Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4

From Batman to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Harry Potter, the characters in children’s movies, television shows, video games and books embody the knightly virtues on many levels. Students can demonstrate their understanding of the ideals of chivalry by composing a character study of their favorite character as seen through the Seven Knightly Virutes. The essay should describe what the chosen character does throughout the course of the movie/story that indicates how he or she demonstrates one or more of these virtues. The essay should describe the sacrifices the character makes in order to remain true to these ideals, and how the knightly virtues are central to the conflict of the storyline.
Resources that may be helpful:

• What Are the Seven Knightly Virtues?
• Chivalry in Myth
• Six Heroic Archetypes
• Women’s Role in Chivalry
• Crisis vs. Conflict: How to recognize these elements in a story

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Heraldry was an important part of the Code of Chivalry. A knight’s coat-of-arms (the image displayed on the front of his shield) was a visual representation of the code of honor he followed. For every knight, this image was a little different. Students can use an escucheon (a blank shield-shaped background made of paper, cardboard or wood) to create their own coat-of-arms using elements that define chivalry in their own minds. These coats-of-arms can include dragons, swords and towers, or they can depict fire engines, skateboards and ponies. These coats-of-arms should include an explaination (written or verbal) as to why they represent the student’s version of chivalry, and a description of the importance of heraldry for medieval knights (why did knights need unique designs on their shields?).

Several of the following links will provide helpful downloadable resources, such as shield templates and images.
Resources that may be helpful:

• Create your own coat of arms (Heraldry 4 Kids)
• The history of heraldry (Fleur-de-lis Designs)
• How to make a coat of arms (Owl & Mouse software)
• The rules of heraldry (The Gander Academy)
• Elements of a coat of arms (The Noble Order of Chivalry)

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Knights were not just powerful warriors and capable estate managers — many were also skilled athletes. Knights enjoyed many sporting activities, including the one we most often associate with them: the sport of jousting. Students can write a report on the “sporting life of knights” by researching the different types of sports that existed during the Middle Ages, and explaining why certain sports were considered noble and worthy pastimes for members of the “noble class.” The report should contain details of the rules and customs of medieval sporting events. Additionally, the report should explain how the principles of chivalry were put to use by knights in medieval sports — and how chivalry influences our sense of “fair play” and sportsmanship in modern games and athletic events.
Resources that may be helpful:

• Origins and functions of falconry in medieval England
• Forest of Dean Falconry Center
• National Jousting Association
• International Jousting Association
• Longbow archery and target shooting
• Wrestling in medieval England
• Armored wrestling: A brief overview
• The history of the game of chess
• The athlete’s Code of Chivalry

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Related posts:

1. Motto Project
2. Teaching With Chivalry Part II: Students and Chivalry
3. Introduction to Chivalry Today

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/class-projects/feed/ 1 http://chivalrytoday.com/class-projects/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/UrGoZkukB84/ http://chivalrytoday.com/chivalry-dead/#comments Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:29:04 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://uni-versus.com/?p=58
• The Knight Awards
• Chivalry Today: It Needs A Woman’s Touch
• My Approach to Chivalry Today
]]> Reassessing the demise of the knight in shining armor

Whenever I give a talk on the subject of chivalry, I can rest assured that, no matter what else the members of the audience may know about the topic, there are three words at the forefront of everyone’s mind: Chivalry is dead.

Somewhere along the line, we got it pounded into our heads that chivalry and equality could not co-exist. But I think the analysts and social commentators who told us that, didn’t have a thorough understanding of what chivalry really was. They saw an act of courtesy or deference and interpreted it as the result of a condescending attitude. What they missed was the respect and mutual admiration which such an act of chivalry conveys — if they had looked at chivalry from that angle, I suspect there never would have been any talk about its “death.”

Chivalry was created during the Middle Ages to combat the attitudes of brutality, ignorance and prejudice which were all-too-common in that era of darkness and cruelty. Far from being dead, chivalry today is embodied by people whose actions are always trustworthy and admirable; who understand that strength and gentleness are not opposites; and who know the importance of standing by one’s principles, no matter how tempting the compromise.

In fact, chivalry seems to be more alive today than ever. People everywhere are reevaluating the things that are important in their lives, and they’re rediscovering the virtues that the code of chivalry stands for — hope, kindness, respect, integrity and courage. They are discovering that they can still be inspired by a hero, and, best of all, they’re realizing that when chivalry and equality stand side-by-side, anybody can be a knight in shining armor.



Related posts:

1. The Knight Awards
2. Chivalry Today: It Needs A Woman’s Touch
3. My Approach to Chivalry Today

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/chivalry-dead/feed/ 1 http://chivalrytoday.com/chivalry-dead/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/Hs24miCcHAM/ http://chivalrytoday.com/b-s-debate/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:30:44 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://chivalrytoday.com/wp/?p=1158
• Chivalry: The B.S. Debate – Part 2
• The Chivalry Trap
• The Chivalry Debate: Part 1
]]> Scott Farrell Comments:

There are a lot of preconceived notions of the kinds of courtesy expected of a man: Holding an office door for a female co-worker, paying for dinner when he and his wife go to a restaurant, or insisting that any boy who wants to take his daughter out on a date has to introduce himself and meet “dad’s inspection.”

In some views, the man who does these kinds of things would be a gallant example of chivalry. In others, he might be thought of as a sexist — someone using traditional gender roles to make women feel helpless, inferior and even “possessed.” This sort of attitude is referred to in psychological and behavioral studies as “benevolent sexism,” and it is at the heart of the ongoing debate as to whether chivalry can and should be encouraged (or even tolerated) in a culture that values equal rights and gender equality.

This two-part article, which was originally posted on the Psychology Today website, takes a serious look at both sides of the issue. In the first part, psychologist Daisy Grewal reports on recent research which shows that “putting women on a pedestal” is often linked to abusive behaviors — especially for those women who fall off the pedestal. Her piece provides a serious, clinical look at the downside of chivalry.



Part I: Hidden Dangers in Harmless Courtesies

When people think of sexism, they usually think about hostility towards women: overt discrimination, derogatory comments, and even rape and violence. In reality, views about women in popular culture and beyond are highly dichotomized — a phenomenon that is sometimes referred to as the Madonna/whore syndrome. In other words, archetypes of women are often sharply divided between the extremely good (e.g., the virgin) and the extremely bad (e.g., the temptress).

Prejudice researchers use the term benevolent sexism to refer to forms of sexism that characterize women as extremely good. The benevolent sexist views women as bastions of purity who need to be protected, supported, and adored. Despite its overtly positive flavor, this idealization of women implies that women are weak, soft creatures that are best suited to traditional gender roles. As social psychologists Peter Glick and Susan Fiske have written:

(B)eing on a pedestal is confining, yet the man who puts [a woman] there is likely to interpret this as cherishing.

The traditionalist may view benevolent sexism as feminist hogwash; however there is considerable evidence suggesting that benevolent sexism is real — and in fact, far from benevolent when viewed from a broader perspective. Researchers have developed a survey, the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, which assesses the degree to which individuals endorse both hostile and benevolently sexist views. Examples of survey items assessing benevolent sexism include, “A good woman should be put on a pedestal by her man,” and “Many women have a quality of purity that few men possess.”

A study spanning 19 countries and including more than 15,000 participants found that hostile and benevolent sexism tend to go together: Cultures that are higher in hostile sexism also tend to be higher in benevolent sexism. People who score high on both are thought to be ambivalent towards women. Ambivalent sexists reconcile their opposing views by sorting women into specific subtypes such as “housewives,” “career women,” or “babes.” Hostile sexism may be elicited by women who are viewed as threatening, (e.g. feminists or career women) while benevolent sexism is directed towards women who reinforce traditional views about gender, such as housewives. Both perspectives fail to view women as multi-faceted equals to men.

You might be thinking, If benevolent sexism is so bad, then why do some women like it — or even seem to prefer it? Indeed, the more men endorse benevolent sexism in a culture, the more women in that culture tend to endorse it too. For women living in cultures that are oppressive towards women, there are numerous advantages to benevolent sexism.

Chivalrous men who are willing to risk life and limb for their women may be quite desirable in societies where women are often preyed upon. However, as Glick and Fiske point out, the irony here is that women in such societies are forced to seek protection from the members of the group (men) who threaten them in the first place. In the U.S., endorsement of benevolent sexism has been linked to conservative ideology and religious beliefs. While some women may see benefits in being treated in paternalistic way, research suggests that costs for women overall may be high.

A set of experimental studies published in 2007 by three researchers at the University of Liege serve as a sobering reminder that benevolent sexism can be harmful — and perhaps even more harmful than hostile sexism. Female participants were invited to participate in a study where they thought they were undergoing training for a job interview. They were introduced to a recruiter that expressed either hostile, benevolent, or nonsexist views about women’s abilities to perform in the potential job.

After hearing about the job, participants completed a test of their problem-solving abilities. Surprisingly, the women who were exposed to the benevolently sexist recruiter performed worse than women who were exposed to either the hostile sexist or the non-sexist recruiter. In an additional study, the researchers found that women in the benevolent sexism condition faltered on the exam because they suffered from intrusive thoughts about their ability to perform. The authors concluded that:

(B)enevolent sexism created a mindset of preoccupation, self-doubt, and decreased self-esteem. Such mental intrusions interfered with the task to be performed…On the contrary, hostile sexism was detected as prejudice and therefore left no ambiguity.

Most women do not respond well to hostile sexism, but at least open hostility can be openly fought. Benevolent sexism is insidious because on the surface many women may find it appealing or even desirable. To many women, benevolent sexism may not even appear to be sexism at all. However, its consequences run both far and deep across the globe.

© 2009 Daisy Grewal, Ph.D.



Related posts:

1. Chivalry: The B.S. Debate – Part 2
2. The Chivalry Trap
3. The Chivalry Debate: Part 1

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/b-s-debate/feed/ 1 http://chivalrytoday.com/b-s-debate/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/BzFbM2cXLq8/ http://chivalrytoday.com/episode-33/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:17:22 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://uni-versus.com/?p=1
• Listener Challenge, Season 5: Lines Of Chivalry
• Podcast 34: Werewolves Of Chivalry
• Podcast 38: Ideology of Chivalry
]]>

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Scott begins the fourth season with an interview with Prof. P.M. Forni, founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project and author of the book Choosing Civility» , who discusses the history of “civil” behavior and chivalry, and why this concept still matters today. Plus: Actor Christopher Gurr, who plays King Arthur in the touring production of Spamalot» ; and a very “worthy” listener challenge!

Segment 1: Listener Challenge —The Nine Worthies of Chivalry Today

• Read the challenge guidelines and submit your list of Worthies;
• Full rules of the contest and drawing.

Segment 2: Finding Spamalot’s Grail with Actor Christopher Gurr

• Buy tickets to Spamalot (and other touring musicals) from Broadway San Diego (Spamalot runs Sept. 8-13)
• Official Monty Python’s Spamalot website (with swag, reviews, video clips, games and more!);
• Buy the Spamalot Soundtrack CD»
• Below: Why I Love Spamalot (A promotional video with some rather odd theatregoers expressing their thoughts on the show):

Click here to view the embedded video.

Segment 3: Interview: Prof. Pier Forni, author of Choosing Civility

• Visit Johns Hopkins University’s Civility Website;
• Prof. Forni in Smithsonian Magazine, Dec. 2008, Choosing Civility in a Rude Culture;
• Buy Choosing Civility» and The Civility Solution» .
We would like to thank Greenoak Media for their technical support for the Chivalry Today Podcast. Show theme and incidental music composed and performed by Joe Novelozo.



Take Our Listener Challenge: The Nine Worthies of Chivalry Today

In the Middle Ages, the Nine Worthies were the “top dogs” in the field of chivalry — the nine individuals who embodied the ideals of chivalry and knighthood: strength, valor, courtesy, honor, etc. They were broken down into three categories: “pagan” (Hector, Alexander and Caesar), Old Testament (Joshua, David and Judas Maccabeus) and Christian (King Arthur, Charlemagne [statue, pictured right] and Godfrey of Bouillon).

Now, Chivalry Today is putting out a challenge to listeners: Create a new list of Nine Worthies that reflects the ideals of chivalry in the modern world and the Seven Knightly Virtues as they apply in the 21st century. Our three categories are:

• Living — Individuals whose ongoing example demonstrates the value of chivalry;
• Historical — People from any period of history (from recent past to antiquity) who’ve lived by the code;
• Literary — Fictional characters from books, movies or other media who abide by the ideals of chivalry.

The only disqualifier: Names from the original list of Nine Worthies are off limits. They’re already acknowledged examples of chivalry; let’s come up with some fresh ideas!

Politicians, generals, discoverers, philosophers, poets, journalists, physicians, teachers, athletes, pilots, adventurers, aliens, detectives — anyone can be an example of chivalry on your list of Nine Worthies. Compose your list, with as much (or as little) explanation as you like as to why these nine names represent the qualities of chivalry in your mind. Then, send us your list using this form:

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Nine Worthies

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On each episode of the podcast (October 2009 through June 2010) host Scott Farrell will select a few of the most intriguing, inspiring and thought-provoking entries to read on the show.

You get a chance to win too! Additionally, everyone who submits an entry into the Chivalry Today Nine Worthies Listener Challenge will be entered into our monthly drawing — each month, one entry will be selected at random to receive a book, CD or DVD (donated by one of Chivalry Today’s generous sponsors) out of the Chivalry Today prize chest. Drawing winners and prizes will be announced on every episode of the show. (See our contest rules for complete details.)

Is Chivalry Today Worthy Of Your Support?

When you enter the Nine Worthies of Chivalry Today Listener Challenge, you will receive (via e-mail) an invitation to donate $9 (just one dollar per “worthy”) to support the Chivalry Today Educational Program. Your donation of $9 (or any amount your choose) makes the Chivalry Today Podcast possible, and helps make Chivalry Today presentations available to schools, libraries and youth groups as part of our ongoing educational outreach program.

Premier Package: You can also support Chivalry Today with a donation of $100 or more. The first five supporters to donate at this level will receive a “thank you” package from Chivalry Today worth more than $100. (Details about contents of our prize packages will be available soon)

No matter what level of financial support fits your budget — $9, $100 or more — your generosity makes the Chivalry Today Podcast possible. Everyone at Chivalry Today thanks you for your support.


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Related posts:

1. Listener Challenge, Season 5: Lines Of Chivalry
2. Podcast 34: Werewolves Of Chivalry
3. Podcast 38: Ideology of Chivalry

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/episode-33/feed/ 0 Scott begins the fourth season with an interview with Prof. P.M. Forni, founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project and author of the book Choosing Civility, who discusses the history of “civil” behavior and chivalry, (http://uni-versus.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/choosingcivility-209x300.jpg)Scott begins the fourth season with an interview with Prof. P.M. Forni, founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project and author of the book , who discusses the history of... Scott Farrell clean 1:03:38 Podcastshttp://chivalrytoday.com/episode-33/http://media.blubrry.com/chivalry/chivalrytoday.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/Chivalry-Podcast-33-20090901.mp3 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/DnmnaN1eE6k/ http://chivalrytoday.com/bs-debate-2/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:38:59 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://chivalrytoday.com/wp/?p=1163
• Chivalry: The B.S. Debate – Part 1
• The Chivalry Debate: Part 1
• The Chivalry Debate: Part 2
]]> Scott Farrell Comments:

While considering the negative aspects of chivalrous behavior and attitudes, think also about what a world without chivalry would look like — a place where no one had compassion, made sacrifices, or put forth any effort to be kind and courteous (unless there was some sort of personal benefit to be gained).

Dr. Gad Saad, in his counterpoint examination of chivalry and benevolent sexism, reminds us that compassion and respect are the walls that separate true chivalry from sexism in disguise. He considers the fact that when we see a man making a sacrifice to help someone weaker than himself, the response of appreciation and admiration may literally be coded into our DNA.

In conclusion, we have to remember that not all acts of chivalry are created equal. Kindness, consideration and compassion must always spring from a sense of respect and courtesy, not from a desire to “assert dominance” or “show ownership.” (Which is true for the courteous actions of men and women alike!) The difference between chivalry and b.s. (benevolent sexism, that is) is all in the attitude.

For more on gender roles, courtship customs and the protocol of chivalry, listen to Episode 28 of the Chivalry Today Podcast, “Modern Romance, Courtly Love and Chivalry,” which features interviews with Susan Squire, author of I Don't: A Contrarian History of Romance» , and Diane Gottsman, director of the Protocol School of Texas.



Part II: Respect and No B.S.

One of my fellow Psychology Today bloggers recently put up a post on benevolent sexism [BS]. I do not wish for this particular blogger to think that I am attacking her personally. I simply feel compelled to critique BS whenever I come across it. Let’s hope that my critique does not constitute an instantiation of hostile sexism.

The general idea is that there are two forms of sexism, the standard hostile form and a more insidious BS form. For example, if men were to be chivalrous by opening up the door for a woman, they would be succumbing to BS. As a matter of fact, most universal courtship acts meant to impress women (e.g., catering to a woman’s needs by being considerate) would fall within the BS rubric. If a heroic male bystander were to intervene whilst a woman is being violently attacked, he would also be succumbing to BS.

I am not making this stuff up.

In short, any attitude or behavior that connotes that women might require to be catered to and/or protected in specific instances is a form of BS.

That women specifically state that they find chivalrous and heroic men to be terribly attractive is apparently a testament to their having been brainwashed by the patriarchy. That romance novels, strictly written and read by women, always display men as chivalrous and heroic protagonists is also a manifestation of the insidious evils of the patriarchy. That the Fireman and Man in Military Uniform archetypes exist within the repertoire of fantasies of countless women around the world is also proof of the cancerous effects of millennia of patriarchal brainwashing.

The BS police have managed to completely confuse me. Should I purchase my wife flowers this week as a gesture of my love for her, or is this a form of BS? If I am sitting on a public bus and a pregnant woman is left standing, should I give her my seat, or is this a form of “disgusting” paternalistic BS chivalry? If I were to witness a violent attack on a woman (which by the way led to a whole field in social psychology known as the bystander effect), should I simply ignore her cries for help? “Sorry lady, I’d hate for the BS police to think that I am sexist, so I shall refrain from calling the police.”

My feeling is that the same folks who believe in BS also argue that it is inappropriate for us to pass value judgments for the manner by which the Taliban treat their women. After all, who are we to question the cultural imperatives of another society right?

Here is a promise: I will continue to treat women with utter respect. I will be chivalrous and considerate to them. I will try to intervene and protect them if they are being harmed. If this means that I am displaying BS, so be it.

© 2009 Gad Saad, Ph.D.


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Related posts:

1. Chivalry: The B.S. Debate – Part 1
2. The Chivalry Debate: Part 1
3. The Chivalry Debate: Part 2

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/bs-debate-2/feed/ 0 http://chivalrytoday.com/bs-debate-2/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/mmo3m7-0mB0/ http://chivalrytoday.com/a-taxing-king-arthur-parabel/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:52:00 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://chivalrytoday.com/wp/a-taxing-king-arthur-parabel/
• WWKAD (What Would King Arthur Do?)
• King Arthur By The Book
• Women’s Roles Part 1: History’s Women of Chivalry
]]> We think of the tales of King Arthur as ancient tales of a long-ago fantasy world, but it’s important to remember that, in their time, these stories were used as both political commentary and social satire. The tales of Camelot could be epic and romantic, but they could also be absurd and hilarious.

(Anyone who thinks the stories of the Knights of the Round Table are stuffy and serious should read the French tale Aucassin et Nicollette, in which the king gets pregnant and gives birth while the queen leads the knights in an epic food fight. Today’s mindless, gross-out summer comedies are tame by comparison!)

In a recent episode of The Daily Show, however, viewers were treated to a taste of the lore of King Arthur as biting, contemporary political humor. It’s not often that the fine points of the stories of Lancelot, St. George and Guenevere (as well as Aesop’s Fables) are used to elicit laughter out of footage from C-SPAN – but maybe that’s why fans of chivalry find this segment from a recent episode of Comedy Central’s “news” show particularly funny.

Warning: The attached clip from The Daily Show contains “bleeped” adult language. Please use your discretion when viewing.




Related posts:

1. WWKAD (What Would King Arthur Do?)
2. King Arthur By The Book
3. Women’s Roles Part 1: History’s Women of Chivalry

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/a-taxing-king-arthur-parabel/feed/ 0 http://chivalrytoday.com/a-taxing-king-arthur-parabel/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/CzgQ6sjeqPE/ http://chivalrytoday.com/in-chivalry-we-trust/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:33:00 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://chivalrytoday.com/wp/in-chivalry-we-trust/
• Trust, Chivalry and “The Bubble Reputation”
• Episode 25: Chivalry, Feasts and Medieval Table Manners
• The Knight Awards
]]> Time Magazine called him, The Man With America’s Trust — Walter Cronkite, of course. His recent death following his 70-year career in journalism and broadcasting has given the world an opportunity to examine, and even reassess, a value central to the Code of Chivalry: trust.

Cronkite was voted (in a 1972 public opinion poll) “the most trusted man in America.” The many obituaries and retrospectives that followed his death paint him as the very image of a modern knight: honest, brave, competitive and humble — implying that, on some level, it was the principles of chivalry that earned the trust of his listeners and viewers.

Yet amid the fond memories and professional analyses, there are commentators who regard “trust” (like “chivalry”) as a relic of a bygone age — something that has outlived its relevance, and would be best left in the era of automotive tailfins and big-band orchestras. Some see the very idea of a “most trusted” person in America as a reflection of bias, gullibility and naiveté among the public.

Slate Magazine, in a piece titled, Why I Didn’t Trust Cronkite, postulated that the age of journalistic trustworthiness stemmed from an FCC policy (discontinued in 1987) mandating that both sides of controversial issues had to be given equal time on the air. “One way around (the policy)” Slate explains, “was to tamp down controversy.” They dismissively speculate that Cronkite’s trustworthiness was a result of blandness rather than integrity.

Other news sources took a different angle in their critique of trust by seeking to quantify the concept in scientific terms, distilling trust to nothing more than a behavioral response to sensory stimuli. A symmetrical face and a deep, resonant voice are both indicators that elicit a sense of trust in most people, and perhaps there was no more to Cronkite’s trustworthiness than that (at least according to a report put out by PR firm Decker Communications, coaching business executives on how to polish their “brand” by looking and sounding trustworthy).

Of course, in today’s society, which seems to be weathering a veritable hailstorm of corruption and scandal, trust is (understandably) in short supply. But abandoning trust merely because the concept has been abused is a bit like junking your car just because it’s in need of a tune-up. The cynical voices calling for the obsolescence or commercialization of trust point to a critical misunderstanding of the concept: the difference between trust that is given and trust that is earned.

Trusting someone blindly — be it a reporter, an officer, a politician or a lending agent — can be a recipe for disaster. This is undoubtedly why writings about chivalry from medieval literature emphasize the importance of intelligence and discretion among the qualities of a knight. Knights were expected to be discerning and self-sufficient, not to merely take someone else’s word about what was right and wrong.

Yet at the same time a knight was expected to act in a manner that was faithful and reliable. There was hardly anyone more deplorable in medieval society than a knight who broke his word or swore a false oath.

Perhaps the greatest indication of the power of trust in the ideals of chivalry is the final words of the king in Sir Thomas Malory’s “Le Morte D’Arthur.” As Sir Bedevere laments the collapse of the Round Table, Arthur tells him:

“Do as well as thou mayest, for in me there is no trust to trust in.”

It is a very potent statement. Arthur doesn’t cite a lack of charity, justice or valor as the downfall of his knights. For him, it’s not until trust is eroded that the Round Table is finally doomed, and his words remind us that when there’s no one or nothing left to trust, it’s every man for himself.

Building trust, of course, takes time — and time like that isn’t easy to come by in today’s world. Trust is not a virtue of a single, grand gesture, but an ideal for the long haul. Yet, like chivalry, trust and trustworthiness are goals worth working for. Cronkite might have been the “most trusted person in America,” but he wasn’t the “last trusted person.” Even in a skeptical, cynical age, he stands tall as an example of trustworthiness, intelligence and chivalry that everyone can (and should) aspire to.

Learn More

Time Magazine’s retrospective, The Man With America’s Trust
Slate Magazine’s article, Why I Didn’t Trust Walter Cronkite



Related posts:

1. Trust, Chivalry and “The Bubble Reputation”
2. Episode 25: Chivalry, Feasts and Medieval Table Manners
3. The Knight Awards

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/in-chivalry-we-trust/feed/ 0 http://chivalrytoday.com/in-chivalry-we-trust/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/3GKC3KhWX9w/ http://chivalrytoday.com/strength-civility/#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:46:33 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://chivalrytoday.com/wp/?p=548
• Chivalry, Aristotle, CS Lewis & Martial Arts
• Violent Arts & Gentle Souls
• What Ever Happened to Chivalry?
]]> Scott Farrell comments:

“Modern society has been ingrained with a certain image of the “strong individual” — one that involves aggression, confrontation and intolerance. A man who is strong and brave doesn’t let others push him around. A woman who is confident and assertive doesn’t give up what she has rightfully earned … or so we’re frequently led to believe.

Prof. Damon Young looks at this from a different angle, however. A recent incident on a commuter train involving a teenager, a reserved seat and an iPod reminded him that selfishness is not a show of strength, and self-centeredness isn’t the same as confidence. His book Distraction: A Philosopher's Guide to Being Free» explores the moral challenges of living in a busy and crowded environment. In this essay, originally published as an editorial in the Australian Herald Sun, he advocates a return of the courtesies of chivalry that are, in fact, the ultimate demonstration of confidence and “backbone” in a civil society.”



Restoring the Confidence of Courtesy



Techology too often distracts us from human contact, and thus may contribute to a lack of civility - something we must actively combat, according to philosopher Damon Young.

Every time I board a train, I see him. And he annoys the hell of me. He’s in his 20s, he has his sunglasses on, cap pulled down, and iPod in. And he’s sitting on the seat reserved for elderly or special needs passengers.

My pregnant wife and toddler son need to sit down, but he’s not moving. He can’t see us, and he can’t hear — and he doesn’t want to. This is the normal, everyday face of public transport: it has a thousand faces, but the same sullen incivility.

Incivility is the opposite of civility, which is tied to notions like “city,” “civil society” and “citizen.”

At heart, civility is the basic requirement of politeness and courtesy for living in a built-up, densely populated urban environment — like a busy Connex train. Civility is not quite morality, because it doesn’t ask us to be genuinely good. Instead, it simply obliges us to be courteous: to recognise others’ basic claims to respect, peace, quiet and comfort.

Of course, incivility is nothing new — every age has its complaints of rudeness, thoughtlessness or tactlessness. The classical Greeks thought their youth bad mannered, and Victorian writer Henry James thought American girls vulgar. But new technologies are making incivility much simpler — and acceptable. The iPod, for example, is the ultimate tool for discourteous behaviour.

It enables a convenient, instant means of withdrawal — with portable, increasingly loud music, you can block out even the most earnest calls for help or generosity.

My, “Excuse me, would you mind moving over?” must be accompanied by shoulder-taps, or it’s lost to the din of tiny speakers.

Importantly, it’s not the iPod’s fault — the technology doesn’t make us withdraw from one another. It just makes it easier to do what we already want to do.

This is partly our modern view of life: an individualistic outlook, where the vices of greed and selfishness are praised as economically useful. And in a fast-paced, turbulent world, it’s comforting to retreat to a personal universe, complete with a soundtrack.

So when we’re packed like pilchards in a can, we hold fast to what’s ours: seats on a train, standing room by the door.

Yet these are just excuses. We’re free to act otherwise, and it’s time we did. To my mind, we need to remind ourselves of what encourages civility: strength, authority, responsibility.



Author and philosopher Damon Young

We tend to think of polite people as weak: deferential, meek, small. They say “pardon me” a lot, because they’re frail and scared. And perhaps this is true for some.

But at its finest, civility is actually a sign of a strong backbone. It takes confidence and assurance to give up what you’ve claimed — to stand while others sit, to wait while they disembark the crowded platform.

It takes a strong imagination to put yourself in the shoes of someone else — to see that the little boy or the pregnant woman might need your seat more than you do. And it takes bravery to face the world without your protective cap, glasses and iPod soundtrack.

It takes courage to live a life undistracted from your fellow citizens.

Sure, incivility isn’t going away. And Connex overcrowding is here to stay. But here’s a message to every Mr Sulky Earphones: man up, and have the strength to be civil.

You’ll feel much better about yourself.

© 2009 Damon Young, Ph.D.

About the author: Damon Young is an Honourary Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Melbourne. He is the senior editor of the forthcoming book Martial Arts and Philosophy, which includes an essay on the philosophy of chivalry by Scott Farrell. Prof. Young is also author of the book Distraction: A Philosopher's Guide to Being Free.» This essay originally appeared in the Nov. 17, 2008 edition of the Australian Herald Sun. You can read more of Prof. Damon’s writing at his blog, That Young Philosopher.


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Related posts:

1. Chivalry, Aristotle, CS Lewis & Martial Arts
2. Violent Arts & Gentle Souls
3. What Ever Happened to Chivalry?

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/strength-civility/feed/ 0 http://chivalrytoday.com/strength-civility/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/S4-qTIzblVA/ http://chivalrytoday.com/a-little-touch-of-arthur-on-sunday-night/#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:02:00 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://chivalrytoday.com/wp/a-little-touch-of-arthur-on-sunday-night/
• Episode 9: Finding Camelot With Chivalry Today
• King Arthur By The Book
• Recommended Knight Reading: Books about Chivalry for the Younger Set
]]> They say that every generation re-invents the legend of King Arthur to meet its own needs, and to reflect its own values. The Victorians had the nostalgic idealism of Tennyson’s Idylls of the King; in the 60’s there was Camelot as a spot for peaceful happ’ly ever-aftering; and ushering in the 70’s was the biting social satire of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

And now, fans of the Arthurian lore have another interpretation of the legends to consider: the series Merlin, which is airing on NBC Sunday nights. This show turns its focus backwards, exploring the “origin story” of Arthur (the young prince), Merlin (the budding wizard) and many of the other familiar characters in their formative years.

There are plenty of overviews and reviews of NBC’s Merlin on the web (including in The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter and the Boston Globe), so there’s no need to rehash the basic details of the premise here. More to the point might be some insight into how the concept of chivalry is treated in this series, and what the message of Merlin is for today’s world.

On one hand, Merlin falls into the realm of Arthurian stories founded on the premise that knights, quests, jousting and castles have to be “kid’s stuff.” As many reviewers have pointed out, the writing, acting and production of Merlin seems better suited for a Saturday morning adventure than for a prime-time network historical drama. Don’t look for any nuanced characterizations of heroes in the making, or subtle explorations of the challenges of following a code of honor (much less developing and establishing such a code – which could have been an intriguing subject in an “origin” story).

By making the world of Camelot a place of simplistic storylines and campy dialogue, perhaps Merlin is a not-too-flattering reflection of ethics in today’s society: Where children are taught to “play nice,” “be fair” and “do the right thing,” then turned loose in a world where those kinds of ideals are largely considered impediments to success. We might think of Merlin, on some level, as a cautionary reminder that in today’s world, decency, honor and chivalry are too often treated as “childish fantasies.”

On the other hand, perhaps the contemporary lesson of Merlin’s King Arthur can be found more in what isn’t there than in what is. For instance, don’t look for any foreshadowing of the sword in the stone in this tale — Arthur is already the acknowledged (and entitled) prince and heir of the realm. There won’t be any need for him to draw a magical sword to prove he’s next in line to be king.

Similarly, don’t expect Arthur’s prospective bride to be portrayed as a princess. Although Guenevere is traditionally characterized as the daughter of King Leodagrance, whose marriage to Arthur brings peace to the fractured realm (and, incidentally, a large, circular table to the halls of Camelot), in this version Gwen is a scullery maid to Morganna and daughter of a humble town blacksmith.

And along with the traditional story elements, another thing that seems to be missing in Merlin is a recognition of moral absolutes. In the course of the first few episodes, Merlin is told repeatedly: “There is no right and wrong, only what is.” (Another way of saying, “The ends justify the means.”) Is this most recent adaptation of the King Arthur legend a story that has been stripped of its foundational elements, thus reflecting a world at risk of being robbed of its core principles as well?

Ironically, there is one element of the traditional Arthurian storyline that does remain in Merlin: Beneath the palace of King Uther Pendragon, there is a cavern where “the great dragon” is imprisoned. (In the usual telling of the story, a pair of dragons resides beneath Uther’s tower, and their struggles cause an earthquake that topples the fortress — Merlin himself reveals the presence of these dragons to King Uther.)

In Merlin, when Merlin need advice and guidance, it is not to his mentor, Gaius the physician, he turns, but rather to this captive monster in its subterranean dungeon, last of the wise and powerful race of dragons that Uther exterminated by royal decree. Is this a subtle depiction of a society in which untrustworthy leaders have abandoned their sense of chivalry and honor in favor of tyranny and brute force? Where a young generation must grope in the darkness for tidbits of wisdom as their role models operate with little regard for the constraints of “right and wrong”? Where chivalry lies chained underground while amoral and self-centered rulers are given free rein in the sunlit world above?

Of course, this maybe focusing far too much philosophical analysis on a lighthearted action show. But if the legends of Camelot reflect cultural identity, then it seems the metaphor deserves consideration at least.

Only time will tell if Merlin has the depth to become a generational portrayal of the lore and ideals of Arthurian legend, or serves merely as a fun and campy (but ultimately forgettable) romp into the world of Camelot. But at least for now, anyone who enjoys the legends of chivalry, whether deeply thought or lighthearted, can enjoy a little touch of Arthur on Sunday nights.

Below: Anthony Head, who plays King Uther Pendragon in Merlin, talks about his role and the approach of the series.


Click here to view the embedded video.



Related posts:

1. Episode 9: Finding Camelot With Chivalry Today
2. King Arthur By The Book
3. Recommended Knight Reading: Books about Chivalry for the Younger Set

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/a-little-touch-of-arthur-on-sunday-night/feed/ 0 http://chivalrytoday.com/a-little-touch-of-arthur-on-sunday-night/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/98hiJfXAXIU/ http://chivalrytoday.com/chivalrys-dirty-laundry/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:16:00 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://chivalrytoday.com/wp/chivalrys-dirty-laundry/
• Passing Chivalry
• At the intersection of love and valor is …The Shieldmaiden
• Chival-oution
]]> The cover story of a recent issue of Maxim magazine sparked some interesting thoughts on the state of chivalry today. The piece was an interview with Moon Bloodgood, one of the stars of the summer action movie, “Terminator: Salvation.” Among a variety of questions, the reporter asked Ms. Bloodgood:

Q: How can a guy get your attention?

A: I’m into chivalry. As much as I’m a guy’s girl with a potty mouth, a polite man who opens the door is so refreshing.

Now, while it’s encouraging to see a popular model and actress (whose words command the attention of a lot of impressionable young men) mention chivalry, her comment isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement of the concept. In fact, this backhanded compliment seems to reflect a general attitude toward chivalry in today’s world. Consider another example …

A few weeks ago, a mid-day AM radio talk show advertised a segment on chivalry. Women who tuned in got a 10-minute diatribe on the vanishing practice of chivalry in the world of dating and romance. Why don’t men dress nicely when they take a woman out to dinner? Why don’t they bring flowers to their dates? Why don’t they hold open doors for ladies? And, in general, why don’t men treat women with “class” anymore?

Ironically, immediately prior to the segment lamenting the lack of chivalry, there was a station-identification spot that featured, as background music, the song “Redneck Woman,” with lyrics such as:

I ain’t never been the Barbie doll type
I can’t drink that sweet champagne; I’d rather drink beer all night
I’m a redneck woman, I ain’t no high-class broad,
I’m just a product of my raisin’, and I say “hey y’all,” and “yee-haw!”
You might think I’m trashy, a little too hard-core
But get in my neck of the woods, I’m just the girl next door.

These days, our culture seems to have a conflicted relationship with chivalry (or at least the qualities of refinement and dignity that are sometimes defined as “chivalry”): People admonish others for a lack of propriety, consideration and etiquette, while simultaneously excusing themselves from any personal behavior that implies “formality” or “high class.”

In short, it seems there are a lot of people who expect others to go to the effort of being chivalrous, yet at the same time want to be exempt from that effort themselves.

Not surprisingly, this dichotomy is nothing new. Even back in the days of the 14th century, when Sir Geoffroi de Charny wrote Livre de Chevalerie (The Book of Chivalry), he recognized the difficulty of “practicing what you preach.” He noted that many young ladies tried to portray themselves as noble and “classy” through their rich dress (including wearing “coronetals, pearls, precious stones, rings, embroidery … and fine ornaments”), but failed to internalize the personal values that went along with nobility and chivalry.

But, as Charny observed, a lady who wanted to inspire a knight to chivalrous deeds (which, in his approach, meant courage and valor as much as dignity and courtesy) needed more than mere outward trappings. He said a lady needed to be:

“Wise, loyal, without arrogance, joyful, generous, courteous, expert … and of good conduct toward all others, without indulging in self praise. These qualities are the kinds of jewels you should use to adorn your garments … if you would everywhere be safeguarded, loved and esteemed.”

(Interestingly, Charny was progressively equal-opportunity in his expectations of gentle behavior. He said that the qualities he described were more “stylish” than the most expensive gown a lady could wear, and also more “elegant” than the finest armor a knight could put on.)

This isn’t to say that country folks and people of humble background can’t be dignified and courteous, nor that chivalrous people can never relax and be casual. But living by a code of honor — that includes dignity, nobility and the “good breeding” that was once reserved strictly for the knightly class — requires effort and dedication. Having a “potty mouth,” being “trashy” and “too hard core,” and then admonishing others for a lack of chivalry is a bit like showing up at a formal ball in a stained T-shirt and ragged jeans, then complaining about other people’s lack of fashion sense.

Before criticizing anyone for a lack of chivalry, perhaps we should all look to the garments of honor we dress ourselves in. The condition of our own wardrobe of knightly virtues may be the best indication of the fashions of chivalry we see in the world around us.



Related posts:

1. Passing Chivalry
2. At the intersection of love and valor is …The Shieldmaiden
3. Chival-oution

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/chivalrys-dirty-laundry/feed/ 0 http://chivalrytoday.com/chivalrys-dirty-laundry/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Chivalry-Today/~3/86nOlyyDJxI/ http://chivalrytoday.com/what-are-we-up-to-now-2/#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:23:50 +0000 scott@chivalrytoday.com (Chivalry Today) http://chivalrytoday.com/wp/?p=1518
• Leadership and Chivalry
• Podcast 42: Summer Of Chivalry
• Come Join Us Live!
]]> In an effort to keep all of our newsletter subscribers, blog followers, website visitors, podcast listeners, and other friends and supporters “in the know,” we’ve added a new feature to the Chivalry Today website – a calendar of upcoming LIVE events. Want to find out where you and your young readers can SIEGE THE DAY with the Summer Reading Program? Curious to know which school, church or camp programs will let your children MEET KING ARTHUR? Ready to learn more about taking your business to the next level with the LEADERSHIP SECRETS OF THE CODE OF CHIVALRY? Now it’s as easy as checking the events listing in the sidebar.

We hope this makes it easier for you to plan on joining us at the many talks and live presentations we give every month. Check back often and see what we’re up to next!

(Of course, if you’d like to include one of our live presentations for your school, camp or youth group, this calendar will also give you an idea of what dates are still available. Contact us ASAP – we are already booking dates for school presentations in September 09.)



Related posts:

1. Leadership and Chivalry
2. Podcast 42: Summer Of Chivalry
3. Come Join Us Live!

]]> http://chivalrytoday.com/what-are-we-up-to-now-2/feed/ 0 http://chivalrytoday.com/what-are-we-up-to-now-2/ Copyright Scott Farrell & Chivalry Today. All Rights Reserved.Chivalry TodaynonadultA monthly exploration of the history, literature and philosophy of the code of chivalry - from the code of honor of medieval knights and traditional tales of King Arthur's Round Table, to principles of leadership and ethics in today's business and politic