Calling all medieval enthusiasts and modern-day dreamers: are you ready for the Ultimate Chivalry Test Quiz? Dive into this free chivalry test and explore the noble code of conduct knights lived by. You'll challenge yourself with questions that ask: knight is to chivalry as philanthropist is to generosity, and push beyond mere medieval trivia - though we've included a fun medieval trivia twist. Explore the virtues of bravery, courtesy, and loyalty with each question as you step into legendary medieval scenarios. This chivalry quiz will reveal how well you embody honor, courtesy, and courage. Embrace the adventure, prove your honor, and start your quest now!
Which virtue is traditionally listed first in the medieval chivalric code?
Courage
Courtesy
Justice
Generosity
Courage, often referred to as fortitude, is regarded as the foremost virtue in chivalry because a knight’s duty was to face danger and protect the weak. Without bravery, the other virtues could not be upheld on the battlefield or in defense of justice. The emphasis on courage is clear in many medieval manuscripts outlining knightly conduct. Read more about chivalric virtues.
From which language does the term “chivalry” originate?
Old French
Latin
Old English
German
The word “chivalry” stems from the Old French term chevalerie, which relates to horseback or cavalry. This reflects the mounted nature of the medieval knight and his code of conduct. Over time, chevalerie evolved into the modern English word chivalry. Learn more about the etymology of chivalry.
Which of the following was NOT typically considered a knight’s duty in the Middle Ages?
Teaching peasants to read
Protecting villagers
Fighting in tournaments
Advising the monarch
Knights were expected to protect the populace, serve as advisors, and participate in tournaments to hone their skills. However, literacy and formal teaching were generally not duties assigned to the warrior class. Education was more often the responsibility of clergy or scholars in monastic settings. See more on medieval knightly roles.
Which military order was founded in 1099 to care for sick and injured pilgrims in Jerusalem?
Knights Hospitaller
Knights Templar
Teutonic Knights
Order of St. Lazarus
The Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Order of St. John, was established to provide medical care for pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. They maintained hospitals and later became a military force protecting Christian territories. Their dual role of care and combat embodied chivalric service. Read about the Knights Hospitaller.
What was the name of the medieval tournament event where knights fought in large-scale group battles?
Melee
Joust
Pas d’armes
Tourney
A melee was a chaotic, team-based combat event within a tournament where groups of knights fought each other to simulate battlefield conditions. By contrast, a joust was a one-on-one lance duel. Melees tested coordination and command as much as individual bravery. More on medieval melees.
In the context of courtly love within chivalry, what was its primary focus?
Loyalty and service to an admired lady
Exhibiting martial strength
Demonstrating piety in combat
Almsgiving to the poor
Courtly love was a literary and cultural ideal emphasizing a knight’s devotion, respect, and often secret service to a noble lady. It fostered virtues such as courtesy and sacrifice in the pursuit of love rather than physical conquest. These romanticized relationships influenced chivalric codes across Europe. Explore the concept of courtly love.
Who authored the 14th-century treatise known as the “Book of Chivalry” detailing knightly ethics?
Geoffroi de Charny
Christine de Pisan
Jean Froissart
Sir Thomas Malory
Geoffroi de Charny was a French knight who wrote the Livre de Chevalerie (Book of Chivalry) around 1352, outlining the duties and moral obligations of a knight. His work is one of the earliest firsthand accounts of chivalric conduct. It influenced later chivalric literature and knightly education. Learn about Geoffroi de Charny.
“Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart” is a medieval romance written by which author?
Chrétien de Troyes
Sir Thomas Malory
Geoffrey Chaucer
Dante Alighieri
Chrétien de Troyes was a 12th-century poet credited with popularizing Arthurian tales, including “Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart.” His romances shaped the literary image of Lancelot and the ideals of courtly love and chivalry. Later authors built on his narrative foundations. See Chrétien de Troyes’s works.
Which of these phrases served as the primary motto of the Knights Templar?
Non nobis Domine, sed nomini tuo da gloriam
In hoc signo vinces
Pro patria et rege
Deus vult
The Knights Templar adopted the Latin motto “Non nobis Domine, sed nomini tuo da gloriam,” meaning “Not unto us, O Lord, but to Your Name give glory.” This underscored their humility and religious devotion. “In hoc signo vinces” is associated with Constantine, while “Deus vult” was a general Crusader battle cry. More on Templar mottos.
Which philosophical work by Thomas Aquinas merged Christian theology with Aristotelian ethics, shaping medieval chivalric virtues?
Summa Theologica
De Officiis
The Consolation of Philosophy
De Civitate Dei
Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica systematically integrated Aristotelian ethics into Christian doctrine, profoundly influencing medieval notions of virtue, justice, and moral conduct. Knights and chivalric orders drew upon its ethical frameworks when defining honorable behavior. Its impact extended well beyond theology into social and martial codes. Discover the Summa Theologica.
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Study Outcomes
Understand Knightly Virtues -
Grasp the core principles of the knights' code - honor, loyalty, and courage - by engaging with our chivalry test scenarios.
Analyze Ethical Analogies -
Break down questions like "knight is to chivalry as philanthropist is to…" to sharpen your comparative reasoning in the chivalry quiz.
Apply Medieval Ethics Today -
Translate lessons from historical code of conduct knights into modern-day behavior and decision-making.
Evaluate Personal Honor -
Use quiz feedback to reflect on your own moral standards and measure them against medieval ideals of chivalry.
Identify Myths vs. Facts -
Distinguish authentic elements of knightly lore from popular misconceptions to deepen your understanding of medieval knighthood.
Compare Historical Depictions -
Contrast literary and historical portrayals of chivalry to see how the code of conduct knights evolved over time.
Cheat Sheet
Medieval Origins of the Chivalric Code -
The earliest codes were codified in 12th - 13th century treatises like Geoffroi de Charny's Livre de Chevalerie and the writings of Andreas Capellanus. These texts combined martial expectation with Christian piety, forming the bedrock of what you'll face in a chivalry test. Try a mnemonic like "GATE" (Geoffroi, Andreas, Templars, Études) to recall key sources.
The Seven Pillars of Knightly Virtue -
Courage, Justice, Mercy, Generosity, Faith, Nobility, and Courtesy form the core virtues found in canonical works and university studies on medieval ethics (e.g., Oxford's Centre for Medieval Studies). Remember "Chivalrous Knights Jump For Glorious Noble Causes" to lock them in. These pillars often appear as direct questions in a chivalry quiz.
Courtly Conduct and the Code of Conduct Knights -
Courtly etiquette governed tournament behavior and social hierarchy, emphasizing respect for ladies and fair play among peers (see British Library medieval manuscript collections). Key rules include saluting with the visor lifted and seeking permission before jousting - common scenarios in any chivalry test. Picture a tournament scene to anchor these rules in memory.
Mastering Test Analogies: Knight Is to Chivalry as Philanthropist Is to Philanthropy -
Analogy questions hinge on agent-to-action relationships; the pattern "knight : chivalry :: philanthropist : philanthropy" exemplifies this. Approach these by identifying roles vs. abstract qualities, and practice with similar pairs like "teacher : education" to boost your chivalry quiz score. A quick tip is to write "A : B :: C : D" to visualize the relationship.
Modern Echoes: Chivalric Principles in Today's Ethics -
Contemporary professions like military service and nonprofit leadership still draw on medieval chivalry's emphasis on honor and self-sacrifice (Harvard's Kennedy School highlights this in leadership ethics courses). Reflect on how virtues like justice and compassion translate to modern community service, a point often explored in advanced sections of a chivalry test. Linking these timeless ethics to present-day scenarios can make your answers stand out.
