Knightly Virtues
During the creation of the Iron Knight, there were seven knightly virtues. These were courage, justice, mercy, generosity, faith, nobility, and hope. But as the Empire has grown and the influence of the Iron Creed has become more prominent, this has changed to eleven knightly virtues to reflect on the holy number of Ethos and Veler. However, not all Knights live up to this, but many try to.
- Courage/Valor. More than bravado or bluster, a knight must have the courage of the heart necessary to undertake tasks which are difficult, tedious or unglamorous, and to graciously accept the sacrifices involved. To not only have courage in the deadliest of circumstances, but to seek Valor.
- Justice. A knight holds him- or herself to the highest standard of behavior, and knows that “fudging” on the little rules weakens the fabric of society for everyone.
- Mercy. Words and attitudes can be painful weapons, which is why a knight exercises mercy in his or her dealings with others, creating a sense of peace and community, rather than engendering hostility and antagonism.
- Generosity. Sharing what’s valuable in life means not just giving away material goods, but also time, attention, wisdom and energy - the things that create a strong, rich and diverse community.
- Faith. In the code of chivalry, “faith” means trust and integrity, and a knight is always faithful to his or her promises, no matter how big or small they may be. Also refers to faith in Ethos and Veler.
- Nobility. Although this word is sometimes confused with “entitlement” or “snobbishness,” in the code of chivalry it conveys the importance of always upholding one’s convictions, especially when no one else is watching.
- Hope. More than just a safety net in times of tragedy, hope is present every day in a knight’s positive outlook and cheerful demeanor - the “shining armor” that shields him or her and inspires people all around.
- Sagacity. To be wise and have good judgement.
- Honesty. To always tell the truth in the eyes of God.
- Humility. The recognition of one's own limitations.
- Courtesy. Particularly to women, to be courteous and polite to others.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments