To do nothing for greed, but everything for glory.
To keep one’s word, even returning to prison or death if, having been captured in fair fight, one had promised to do so.
Together with these vows of real virtue were others, which signified more for the carnal pride of the warrior, e.g.:
Never to fight in companies against one opponent.
To wear but one sword, unless the enemy displayed more than one.
Not to put off armor while upon an adventure, except for a night’s rest.
Never to turn out of a straight road in order to avoid danger from man, beast, or monster.
Never to decline a challenge to equal combat, unless compelled to do so by wounds, sickness, or other equally reasonable hindrance.
The aspirant for knighthood began his career in early boyhood by attending some superior as his page. Lads of noblest families sought to be attached to the persons of those renowned in the order, though not to their own fathers, lest their discipline should be over-indulgent. Frequently knights of special note for valor and skill at arms opened schools for the training of youth. The page was expected to wait upon his lord as a body-servant in the bedchamber, the dining-hall, and, when consistent with his tender years, upon the journey and in the camp. It was a maxim of the code that one “should learn to obey before attempting to govern.”
With the development of manly strength, at about his fourteenth year the page became an esquire. He then burnished and repaired the armor of his chief, broke his steeds, led his charger, and carried his shield to the field of battle. In the mêlée he fought by his master’s side, nursed him when wounded, and valued his own life as naught when weighed against his lord’s safety or honor.