Chivalry and the 21st century.

Charlemagne's Code of Chivalry (Late 700's) :

To fear God and maintain His Church
To serve the liege lord in valour and faith
To protect the weak and defenceless
To give succour to widows and orphans
To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
To live by honour and for glory
To despise pecuniary reward
To fight for the welfare of all
To obey those placed in authority
To guard the honour of fellow knights
To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit
To keep faith
At all times to speak the truth
To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
To respect the honour of women
Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
Never to turn the back upon a foe.


There are other lists made at various times in history - this one seems the most ancient, however, and completely applicable (even on the issue of 'liege lord' - for those of us living in democratic societies, a liege lord is the 'hand that feeds', IOW - Don't Bite The Hand That Feeds You. For an American Soldier, that 'liege lord' is both the Constitution and the American Public. For the Citizen, it is our employer, our parish priest and bishop, and our community (the common good.)