Code of Chivalry

Justice: Seek always the path of 'right', unencumbered by bias or personal interest.
Recognize that the sword of justice can be a terrible thing, so it must be tempered
by humanity and mercy. If the 'right' you see rings agrees with others, and you seek
it out without bending to the temptation for expediency, then you will earn renown
beyond measure.

Loyalty: Be known for unwavering commitment to the people and ideals you
choose to live by. There are many places where compromise is expected; loyalty is
not amongst them.

Defense: The ideal knight was sworn by oath to defend his liege lord and those who
depended upon him. Seek always to defend your nation, your family, and those to
whom you believe worthy of loyalty.

Courage: Being a knight often means choosing the more difficult path, the
personally expensive one. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices in service of the
precepts and people you value. At the same time, a knight should seek wisdom to
see that stupidity and courage are cousins. Courage also means taking the side of
truth in all matters, rather than seeking the expedient lie. Seek the truth whenever
possible, but remember to temper justice with mercy, or the pure truth can bring
grief.

Faith: A knight must have faith in his beliefs, for faith roots him and gives hope
against the despair that human failings create.

Humility: Value first the contributions of others; do not boast of your own
accomplishments, let others do this for you. Tell the deeds of others before your
own, according them the renown rightfully earned through virtuous deeds. In this
way the office of knighthood is well done and glorified, helping not only the gentle
spoken of but also all who call themselves knights.

Largesse: Be generous in so far as your resources allow; largesse used in this way
counters gluttony. It also makes the path of mercy easier to discern when a difficult
decision of justice is required.

Nobility: Seek great stature of character by holding to the virtues and duties of a
knight, realizing that though the ideals cannot be reached, the quality of striving
towards them ennobles the spirit, growing the character from dust towards the
heavens. Nobility also has the tendency to influence others, offering a compelling
example of what can be done in the service of rightness.

Franchise: Seek to emulate everything I have spoken of as sincerely as possible,
not for the reason of personal gain but because it is right. Do not restrict your
exploration to a small world, but seek to infuse every aspect of your life with these
qualities. Should you succeed in even a tiny measure then you will be well
remembered for your quality and virtue.