Examples Of Breaking The Code Of Chivalry

Upholding the code of chivalry is my main duty as a knight and my life’s purpose, and without me knowing, my allegiance and honor was being put to the test. On a particular New Year’s Day at Camelot, a green knight arrived demanding for a knight to prove himself worthy. Once I knew that my uncle truly meant to take up the green knight’s request, I could not let him face this great provocation all by himself, and so I volunteered in his place. The pact I made with the green knight was “I shall offer you a strike, and in twelve months I shall endure another by your hand with whatever weapon you deem fit.” Those were the exact conditions that I agreed to, and with that I sealed my fate - I knew that I could not act a coward and run. And with this,
I had imparted my service and assistance to the Lord and his wife, and I ensured that I served the Lord’s wife with the utmost respect and courtesy. To elaborate furthermore on the challenges that I faced, the huntsman lord’s wife had gifted me her girdle. However, I did not hand over the girdle to the lord, although I had promised that I would exchange to him whatever I was gifted here in the castle. I felt like a liar, an untrustworthy liar, but I also promised the Lord’s wife that not a soul would ever know that she had gifted me her girdle. Soon after, I was on my way to face the Knight of the Green Chapel. I attempted to calm my nerves beforehand and made an effort to not show any fear, but soon the Green Knight was before me. I knelt before him and revealed my bare neck so he could strike it, but before he swung the axe down I had flinched. The Green Knight mocked me and I felt extremely humiliated and utterly embarrassed; my courage had faltered. Finally, the axe swung down on my neck and left a small, gentle cut. I had fulfilled the pact, but the Green Knight finally revealed himself. He had revealed himself to be the huntsman lord Bernlak de