What happened to unchivalrous knights?

Question

Say a knight went against his code of honor, (chivalry).

Answer 1

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In the early period of knighthood (the 11th and 12th centuries) there was no code of chivalry for knights; it was a very French idea which only spread slowly to other countries along with the idea of "courtly love". Its main method of influence was from the many "romance" stories and lais written from the late 12th century onwards - including the earliest stories of King Arthur and his fictional knights.

In this early period, knights were simply brutal killing machines who could (and did) change their alleigance to a different overlord as easily as changing their shirt; the idea of protecting maidens in distress would have been laughable to them. Study the first English Civil War (the 19 year Anarchy during Stephen's reign) to gain a good idea of how little chivalry existed at this stage.

Even when the code of chivalry became widespread it was not regulated in any way; knights could still turn into robber barons with only the idea of seeking greater wealth and power for themselves.

Unlike bushido in Japan, the code of chivalry was more a poetic ideal than a real-life fact.

Answer 2

The code of chivalry is a bizarre invention of the Troubadours from Aquitaine and Languedoc. Any knight that followed it would be dead pretty quickly.

Knights were warriors. Their job was to win. The only reason that anyone was spared in battle was because of their value for ransom - not some feeble code of honour.

Answer 3

He'd live without shame. Chivalry didn't really exsist until much later when writers and poets started talking about how chivalrous knights were.

Answer 4

It's like "grace" you either have it or don't.* I'm not sure what the hell that means but I don't think there were unchivalrous knights. You pretty much were chivalrous if you were a knight and had all the gear. Whether or not you lived by some kind of code was not really that important. It was all about protecting land, land holdings, and the lives of your lord or king. The term originated in France in the late 10th century; based on the words for "knight" (French: chevalier), and "horse" (French: cheval). Knights possessed military training, a war horse and military equipment which required a substantial amount of wealth and prestige to acquire.

Between the 11th century and 15th centuries Medieval writers often used the word chivalry, but its definition was never consistent among authors, and its meaning would change on a regional basis, and even over time. Further, its modern meanings are different from its medieval meanings. The exact meaning of chivalry changes depending on the writer, the time period, and the region; so a comprehensive definition of the term is elusive

Source(s):

*Seinfeld