Why did knights have to follow code of chivalry?

Answer 1

When a knight had to follow the Code of Chivalry, the reason was not legal or military, but personal. If the knight did not follow the Code of Chivalry, his lady would not respect him. Obviously, not all knights were constrained by ladies, and not all ladies really cared... So that is the reason why.

Above is an incredibly romanticised ideal of chivalry, the truth is the laws of chivalry were incredibly varied, but were mostly aimed at "good and proper conduct of gentlemen" and a sort of Geneva convention of "the laws and ordinances of war"

If a knight broke such laws then he might be removed from knighthood, have the lands given to him by the crown or other lords stripped for him or even hanging.

some of the war codes were quite modern compared to what happened later on in history ie: if a man surrendered you had to take him prisoner, feed care and clothe him; since it was the case of "if you kill my men, I'll kill yours".

Some laws were just bizzare to our eyes like if in a siege the defenders tried to mine their way to the enemy tunnels being made the combatants became "brothers in arms" and were obliged to treat one another as family even if they were on opposite sides With example of the siege of Rouen where Henry V fought against the constable of the city and after the battle had to spare his life.

In the UK there is still today a Court of Chivary though it is largely non-functional but can still act as a Civil or Law court on matters of both chivalry and heraldry.

Answer 2

AnswerYes. At first they were a little more than wiseguys or mobsters and raiding villages, killing, and raping. So, the church stepped in and made rules. They made each knight promise to follow them on the pain of excommunication. This was very powerful because they thought the only way to heaven was through the church who saved their souls. AnswerThe code of chivalry had to do with virtue, honor, and courtly love. It was not some thing that could be enforced with laws, but only by the good opinions of the people one cares about. Asking whether knights had to follow the code of chivalry is rather like asking whether people have to be polite. The answer is yes, if they want the good opinion of a particular person and that person cares enough about chivalry or honor to have it effect their actions. But if you don't care what people think of you, then no one can legally stop you from being rude, and no one could stop a knight from dispensing with courtly love.

The code of chivalry had little or nothing to do with the Church or any rules it produced. In fact, the Church leaders were sometimes very suspicious of the whole courtly love thing because it was unacceptably erotic.

They didn't "HAVE" to follow it but they would've been punished if they didn't.

Answer 3

The code of chicalry was set into place to maintain order withing the kingdom.

It revolves around the idea of morale and a positive influence over the people.