From Battlefields to Ballrooms

A Lesson from the Knights of Old for Today’s Christian Men

Chivalry is synonymous with knighthood. Knighthood represents a military order of soldiers on horseback, known as knights, who were deemed more honorable than infantrymen.

These knights, first and foremost warriors, were very familiar with the gruesome sights of battle. Yet, they were also seen as modest, reserved, gentle, and unobtrusive when the situation warranted.

Consider a ball hosted by a king or another noble, a setting where knights would set aside memories of war horrors and were expected to act in a dignified and gentle manner.

It would be foolish to think they became weak or feminine during such events. Being a strong warrior on the battlefield, swinging heavy swords, and riding horses simultaneously requires immense strength. These men were not weak; they displayed the kind of meekness that we, as Christian men, strive to emulate as we pursue a life akin to Christ’s.

The most respectable and honorable knights maintained their ferocity towards enemies just as Christ did against His, while also staying gentle to their countrymen, as Christ was towards His followers.

Having extreme meekness was essential for a knight as part of chivalry. Without this, a knight would likely fall to one extreme or another, failing to display the nobleness and honor expected of them.

If a knight leaned only towards gentleness, his contributions on the battlefield would be negligible, failing his primary duty. While he might be respected at social events and attractive to women he might court, this was not the knight’s main role.

Conversely, if a knight was fierce on the battlefield, a cunning warrior, and a force no enemy wanted to reckon with but could not control his ferocity off the field, he would be considered a brute. Such behavior would not endear him to his countrymen or help him win the hearts of potential partners. This likely produced the evil and wicked rulers we see in stories like Robin Hood.

Chivalry offers a tangible example, second only to the life of Christ, that we as Christian men can use to balance our lives. There are many men who are always stern and many who are always gentle, but this is not how we should interact. We must be strong to protect our "flock" and fierce to keep back enemies who wish to harm them, physically or spiritually.

Yet, we must show gentleness to our followers, serving as instructors and leaders toward what is holy, just as Christ was fierce towards His enemies and gentle with those of His flock, even when they were in sin and in need of correction.

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