Study for the Middle Ages Regents Test. Strengthen your knowledge with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


The code of chivalry primarily emphasized which aspect for a knight?

  1. oath of loyalty to his lord

  2. hardness to the suffering of others

  3. lack of concern for music and manners

  4. independence

The correct answer is: oath of loyalty to his lord

The code of chivalry was a set of ideals and standards that governed the behavior of knights during the Middle Ages. It primarily emphasized the importance of loyalty to one's lord as a foundational aspect of a knight's identity. This loyalty was central to the feudal system, where a knight pledged allegiance to a lord in exchange for protection and land. Upholding one's oath of loyalty was seen as a measure of honor and integrity, which were highly valued traits within the chivalric code. This emphasis on loyalty not only dictated the knight's personal relationships but also had broader implications for the stability and security of the feudal society. A knight's honor and reputation were intricately linked to his fidelity to his lord, making this aspect critical for maintaining the social order of the time. The other choices do not adequately capture the principal values associated with chivalry, as they either reflect negative attitudes or qualities not aligned with the knightly ideals of honor, service, and loyalty.