Honour, Chivalry, and knighthood in Cornay

Ever since Ser Holden Barryl first bent the knee to King Romidor the Great during the conquest of what would become Crosser's County, the ideals of knightly honour and chivalry have captured the hearts and minds of the Cornayan people. The allure of shining armour and gowned horses, the promise of heroism and duty, all draw the interest of nobility and commonfolk alike - but in reality, knighthood is a much more complex, gritty affair

Knights, Blackguards, Squires and Errants

Since the first squire under Ser Holden, the precedent was set that any knight may take a squire and any knight may knight any individual. Some nobles will negotiate their squirehood with famous knights or steadfast allies of their houses to increase their chances of becoming a great knight themselves, whilst many knights-errant are born of drunken knightings or lowborn peasants impressing a similarly lowborn knight. Squirehoods usually begin at the age of 9 and last until either the age of 18 or until they themselves are knighted, with younger knightings being rare but much more common during times of conflict.

Knights are permitted to take the title Ser to their names regardless of their birth status, as well as a number of benefits and rights that escape the commonfolk of the realm. A Knight is permitted entry to any tourney, regardless of their birth status, and is entitled to the right of hospitality. Both men and women may become knights and gain such benefits. Knights are oathsworn by their rank to follow the Code of Chivalry to which all knights in the realm are bound, an oath to protect the innocent, uphold the law and serve the true crown. Often, however, the oath of knighthood is viewed as a suggestion rather than a command in the eyes of its subjects, with many knights acting without honour, chivalry or even a scrap of decency. Such knights, in extreme cases, can be legally declared a Blackguard by the throne or the church, resulting in their knighthood being stripped and their rights and protections being removed. Blackguards are considered Outlaws in the Realm of Cornay, and their lives are forfeit to any knight who would bring them to justice. A famous example of a Blackguard in recent memory is the half-giant Robert Warren, former lord of Stormberg and Hammer of the Throne. Ser Robert was declared a Blackguard by Queen Guinnevere Sunjoy at the Tourney at Oldreach in the year 1313 PB, where he was swiftly bested and slain by Ser Roderick Darlynton in a trial by combat.

chivalry, honour, laws and faith

Chivalry and Honour are a core part of Cornayan Culture, with the laws of such being intrinsic to society as the laws of the courts. Chivalry and Honour in Cornay is easily understood, its core features are as follows:

• Protect the Innocent from all who would do them harm

• Pay Courtesy and Compliment to the Fair and Noble

• Act with Honour and Decorum in the Face of Conflict

• Grant and Uphold Guest Rights where appropriate

• Offer the right to Ransom, unless guided otherwise by the law or faith

• Engage in the Practice of Chivalric Romance, not lustful exchanges

• Engage only in the Truth, even when it causes you harm

• Keep your word and your promise, for they are holy

• Act with Bravery and Heroism, Never Fear or Cowardice

• Be Loyal and Virtuous to the Faith and Throne

These ten rules are the basis of all chivalric decision-making, and although they are rules held highly by the most virtuous of people, they are still often abandoned or forgotten in the face of reality. Some, such as the practice of Guest Rights, are considered a universal law, whilst others, like the keeping of the truth, are considered outdated and unrealistic by many.

The breaking of chivalric law is not approached with the same legal repercussions as breaking state law, though that is not to say it is unpunishable. The social ramifications of the breaking of Guest Rights or the Defilement of Honour are colossal, even if they do not result in the declaration of a knight as a blackguard. It is commonly believed in myth and history that those who defile the codes of chivalry can end up cursed - some believe literally as in the famous story of Lord Lostwatch, whose castle fell to ruins and thorns after he murdered a guest under its roof, and some believe more metaphorically.

Chivalric Love, Lust, romance and sex

Chivalric Love is a strange concept to foreigners outside Cornay, with the practice being seen as a peculiar paegentry for many raised outside its influence. The practice of Chivalric Love is to engage in courtly romance, devoid of any physical involvement - lest the relationship be tarnished by lust. Chivalric Romance is the purest form of love in a world where marriage is political; it is a tool to allow young lovers to explore their feelings without besmirching their honour before their inevitable duty pulls them into loveless marriages. Chivalric Romance is the subject of many poems and ballads in Cornay, with its tropes and practices being commonplace ever since the earliest days of the Cornayan Pantheon. The gifting of favours from a non-combative partner to a knight, the exchanging of stolen glances across the dance floor, the writing of poems and songs to extol the virtues of a lover - all these are valid and honourable practices of Chivalric Romance. However, once the relationship becomes physical and falls to lust, the honour and chivalry of the romance is lost entirely. Premarital Sex, lustful glances or even a stolen kiss would all put an end to what is considered an honourable part of Cornayan society and instead plunge both parties into deepest dishonour. Such was the case of the Last Asterland Queen, whose children were the result of a Chivalric Romance turned darker in the eyes of the faith.

It is also not uncommon for the parties of a Chivalric Romance to already be married, with many such stories filling the halls of Bridkeep's historical records. These are dangerous affairs but, as long as the relationship remains a Chivalric Romance, it is not considered unvirtuous. The social effects of such engagements are a different matter, and many wars have begun over the misplaced courtly love of a beautiful lord or lady.