A New Approach to the Knighting Ritual
Max Lieberman
The Ordene de chevalerie, a didactic poem composed in northern France by an anonymous author, perhaps around 1220, details elaborate and richly symbolic procedure designed to make man knight. Crusades provide its setting. Hugh, count of Tiberias, having been captured battle Saladin, is given choice between two ways ransoming himself: paying exorbitant sum money or demonstrating how knights are made after the Christian fashion. Opting for latter, Hugh proceeds take Saladin himself through necessary motions, explaining significance each step along way: taking bath wash away sin, lying on bed signifying heavenly rest be earned knight's “chivalry,” then donning white robe bodily cleanliness, scarlet cloak blood shed defending Church, brown stockings earth which every knight must return, belt chastity. Golden spurs follow, as tokens eagerness with obey God's commands, girded two-edged sword evoking inseparability justice loyalty, duty protect defenseless from oppression. skips final touch, colée, light blow neck, being unwilling strike his captor; but he does impress upon sultan four knightly commandments, wit, prohibition against false judgments treason, obligations honor women damsels, hear Mass day, if possible, fast Friday.
Speculum