After discussing women yesterday, let us consider the virtues of the warrior. Note that the poem is titled “The true Knight”, but the virtues here are older than the orders of chivalry.
And this dates to the early renaissance. The high point of the code of chivalry, and the bloody wars of the Roses. Late middle English/ early modern english: Chaucer died about 1400.
FOR knighthood is not in the feats of warre,
As for to fight in quarrel right or wrong,
But in a cause which truth can not defarre:
He ought himself for to make sure and strong,
Justice to keep mixt with mercy among: 5
And no quarrell a knight ought to take
But for a truth, or for the common’s sake.Stephen Hawes. d. 1523
GLOSS: defarre] undo.
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