<i>Equestris Ordo:</i> Chivalry as a Vocation in the Twelfth Century
Colin Morris
The motives of individuals are necessarily conditioned by the expectations society. Some walks life recognised as demanding a high degree self-sacrifice and noble motivation, being (in modern terms) vocations. Others careers worthy esteem, yet others condemned, so that it is supposed no ethically minded person would engage in them. As social structure changes there an adaptation pattern interesting example this process provided new thinking about knighthood which emerged late eleventh early twelfth centuries. So much has been written chivalry broad review subject out question paper, but may be interest to re-examine light theme. An appropriate starting-point passage from history first crusade 1110 Guibert Nogent: In our time God instituted holy warfare knightly order ( ordo equestris ) unsettled populace, who used engaged like pagans old slaughtering one another, should find way deserving salvation. No longer they obliged leave world choose monastic life, case, or some religious profession, their accustomed liberty habit, performing own office, measure achieve grace God.
Studies in Church History