Chivalric Knights and the Code of Conduct
Power
Accomplish great feats
Prove skill in arms
Demonstrate physical power
Honor
Die bravely, unflinchingly, with sword in hand
Show honor in defeat rather than shame in winning
Be loyal to your leader
Demonstrate respect and esteem for each other
Honor your caste and class
Hospitality
Be generous and spend lavishly on your guests
(Proves prestige and higher knightly status)
(Shows “real gentlemen” don’t have to work for money)
Flatter all knights, even your enemies
Love
Remember there’s more to life than fighting and hunting
Loving is chivalric
Show passionate emotions for a lady,
Being enamored is powerful
Be courteous to all women
(Even the old, ugly, and married)
Mrs. Wilkerson
British Literature
Chivalry in Modern Times
We have discussed the code of conduct expected of a medieval knight. They adhere to a strict
chivalric way, one that fails to exist today . . . or does it?
In small groups, discuss whether or not we still have some sort of chivalric code today. This
chivalry might be in the form of manners (like opening a door for a woman or taking off your
hat in a building), or they might be in the form of behaviors (like being loyal to a friend or
being reliable and honest).
Develop your own code of conduct for today’s society. It may be a positive or negative slant,
depending on your answer to the question posed above. It may also vary according to your
upbringing. For example, a cowboy’s code of conduct might be different from a city kid’s code.
Or, a woman’s code of conduct might be different from a man’s.
Once you have developed your own code (at least 10 items), make a poster outlining the code
that you have developed. This is a poster that, if we wanted to, could be distributed to the
students and the community as a “bulletin” for behavior. Use your creativity and ingenuity to
make your poster original.
Your poster is worth 10 points. It will be evaluated using the rubric below.
Chivalric Code of Conduct Poster Rubric
Visual
Project
Writing
Assignment
5 - Advanced
 The visual is exceptionally
attractive in terms of design,
layout, and neatness.
 Layout, presentation, and
ideas reflect student’s
originality and
thoughtfulness.
 The poster contains many
creative details and
descriptions that contribute
to the reader's enjoyment.
 No errors in basic spelling,
punctuation, and
capitalization.
 The list includes more
elements than required.
4 – Proficient
 The visual is attractive in
terms of design, layout and
neatness.
 Layout, presentation, and
ideas reflect creativity and
student design.
3 or 2 – Partially Proficient
 The visual is acceptably
attractive though it may be a
bit messy.
 The graphics are made by
the student, but are based on
the designs or ideas of others.
1 or 0 – Not Proficient
 The visual is distractingly
messy or very poorly
designed. It is not attractive.
 No graphics made by the
student are included.
 The poster contains a few
creative details and/or
descriptions that contribute
to the reader's enjoyment.
 Few errors in basic
spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization.
 The list includes all
required elements.
 The poster contains a few
creative details and/or
descriptions but not enough
to keep the reader engaged.
 Several errors in basic
spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization.
 The list has included most
of the required elements.
 There is little evidence of
creativity in the poster.
 Very noticeable errors in
basic spelling, punctuation,
and capitalization.
 The list is missing several
required elements.