Welcome to Chivalry, a shared, online source of facts and information built by fans, enthusiasts and experts around the world. Join us and be a part of building and improving it! In modern times, membership of an order has become a decoration,...
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Welcome to Chivalry, a shared, online source of facts and information built by fans, enthusiasts and experts around the world. Join us and be a part of building and improving it!
Chivalry is a term relating to the medieval institution of knighthood. It is usually associated with ideals of knightly virtues, honour and courtly love.
Chivalric orders are orders of knights that were created by European monarchs in imitation of the military orders of the Crusades. After the crusades, the memory of these crusading military orders became idealised and romanticised, resulting in the late medieval notion of chivalry, and is reflected in the Arthurian romances of the time.
In modern times, membership of an order has become a decoration, awarded by a government, a dynastic house, or a religious body to an individual, usually for distinguished service to a nation or to humanity.
Modern orders and decorations can trace their origin back to the medieval Orders of Chivalry. By the time of the Renaissance, most European monarchs either acquired an existing Order of Chivalry, or created new orders of their own, to reward loyal civilian and especially military officials. Some of modern Europe's highest honours, such as the Order of the Golden Fleece, England's Order of the Garter, Denmark's Order of the Elephant and Scotland's Order of the Thistle, were created during that era.
