Difference between revisions of "True knight"

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A '''true knight''' embodies all that a [[knight]] should be, that is, a perfect knight exemplifying all the qualities of what knighthood stands for. He is a shining example to all and held in the very highest esteem. Very few knights are considered true knights, achieving and maintaining such high and noble ideals is a hard duty.  
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The '''true knight''' is a concept that embodies all that a [[knight]] should aspire to be - exemplifying all the qualities of what knighthood stands for. He is a shining example to all and held in the very highest esteem. Very few knights are considered true knights, as achieving and maintaining such high and noble ideals is a hard duty.  
  
 
==Culture==
 
==Culture==
 
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There are [[Westeros]]i songs and stories, particularly those depicting honorable knights and chivalry, that are very popular amongst all strata of society. In particular, [[Sansa Stark]] is captivated by the concept of the true knight.{{ref|AGOT|29}}
There are [[Westeros]]i songs and stories, particularly those depicting honorable knights and chivalry, that are very popular amongst all strata of society.
 
  
 
A true knight must fully embrace the oath of knighthood:
 
A true knight must fully embrace the oath of knighthood:
{{Quote|a touch on the right shoulder with the blade. '''"In the name of [[Warrior (the Seven)|the Warrior]] I charge you to be brave."'''<br>The sword moves from right shoulder to left. '''"In the name of the [[Father (the Seven)|Father]] I charge you to be just."'''<br>Right shoulder. '''"In the name of [[Mother (the Seven)|the Mother]] I charge you to defend the young and innocent."'''<br>The left. '''"In the name of the [[Maiden (the Seven)|Maid]] I charge you to protect all women....'''''<ref>''[[The Hedge Knight]]'': 518</ref>}}
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{{Quote|''In the name of [[Warrior (the Seven)|the Warrior]] I charge you to be brave. In the name of the [[Father (the Seven)|Father]] I charge you to be just. In the name of [[Mother (the Seven)|the Mother]] I charge you to defend the young and innocent. In the name of the [[Maiden (the Seven)|Maid]] I charge you to protect all women.''{{Ref|THK}}}}
 
 
[[Sansa Stark]] is captivated by the concept of the true knight at the beginning of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''.
 
  
 
==Chivalric code==
 
==Chivalric code==
 
True knights are supposed to:
 
True knights are supposed to:
* Be brave and just
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* Be brave and just.
* Defend the young and innocent, especially women who can not defend themselves.
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* Defend the young and innocent, especially women who can not defend themselves.{{Ref|aFfC|4}}{{Ref|AFFC|30}}{{Ref|AFFC|31}}{{Ref|ACOK|32}}
* Be cleanly as well as godly<!--, but some take cleanly to mean a bath once every few weeks.--> <ref>''[[The Hedge Knight]]'' p.464</ref>
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* Be cleanly as well as godly.<!--, but some take cleanly to mean a bath once every few weeks.-->{{Ref|THK}}
 
* Act with military courtesy: in combat when nobles and knights are taken prisoner, their lives are spared and are often held for ransom.
 
* Act with military courtesy: in combat when nobles and knights are taken prisoner, their lives are spared and are often held for ransom.
  
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*[[Serwyn of the Mirror Shield]]
 
*[[Serwyn of the Mirror Shield]]
 
*Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]
 
*Ser [[Ryam Redwyne]]
*Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon Targaryen]], the Dragonknight
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*Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon Targaryen]], ''the Dragonknight''
 
*Ser [[Arryk Cargyll]]
 
*Ser [[Arryk Cargyll]]
 
*Ser [[Erryk Cargyll]]
 
*Ser [[Erryk Cargyll]]
*Ser [[Gerold Hightower]], the White Bull
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*Ser [[Gerold Hightower]], ''the White Bull''
*Ser [[Arthur Dayne]], the [[Sword of the Morning]]
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*Ser [[Arthur Dayne]], ''the [[Sword of the Morning]]''
*Ser [[Barristan Selmy]]
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*Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], ''the Bold''
*Ser [[Dunk|Duncan the Tall]]
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*Ser [[Duncan the Tall]]
*Ser [[Galladon of Morne]]
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*Ser [[Galladon of Morne]], ''the Perfect Knight''
 
*[[Brienne of Tarth]], not officially a knight, being a woman, but lives by the knightly virtues
 
*[[Brienne of Tarth]], not officially a knight, being a woman, but lives by the knightly virtues
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
[[File: Heliotropa_no_true_knight.jpg‎‎| No True Knight - by Heliotropa ©|thumb|400px|right]]
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[[File: Heliotropa_no_true_knight.jpg‎‎|[[Sansa Stark]] assures [[Sandor Clegane]] that his brother [[Gregor Clegane|Gregor]] is no true knight. Art by Heliotropa©|thumb|400px|right]]
 
 
{{Quote|This man protected the weak, as every true knight must.{{Ref|THK}}}} - [[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Targaryen]] to [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar Targaryen]], regarding [[Dunk]]
 
  
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{{Quote|This man protected the weak, as every true knight must.{{Ref|THK}}|[[Baelor Targaryen (son of Daeron II)|Baelor Targaryen]] to [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar Targaryen]], regarding [[Duncan the Tall]]}}
  
 
{{Quote|'''Sansa''': He was no true knight.<br>
 
{{Quote|'''Sansa''': He was no true knight.<br>
'''Sandor''': No. No, little bird, he was no true knight.{{ref|AGOT|29}}}} - [[Sansa Stark]] and [[Sandor Clegane]], regarding [[Gregor Clegane]]  
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'''Sandor''': No. No, little bird, he was no true knight.{{ref|AGOT|29}}|[[Sansa Stark]] and [[Sandor Clegane]], regarding [[Gregor Clegane]]}}
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|[[Knight]]s are sworn to defend the weak, protect women, and fight for the right, but none of them did a thing. Only Ser [[Dontos Hollard|Dontos]] had tried to help, and he was no longer a knight. No more than [[Tyrion Lannister|the Imp]] was, nor [[Sandor Clegane|the Hound]] … the Hound hated knights … I hate them too. They are no true knights, not one of them. {{Ref|aCoK|32}}}}
 
- thoughts of [[Sansa Stark]] after being beaten by [[Boros Blount]]
 
  
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{{Quote|[[Knight]]s are sworn to defend the weak, protect women, and fight for the right, but none of them did a thing. Only Ser [[Dontos Hollard|Dontos]] had tried to help, and he was no longer a knight. No more than [[Tyrion Lannister|the Imp]] was, nor [[Sandor Clegane|the Hound]] … the Hound hated knights … I hate them too. They are no true knights, not one of them.{{Ref|aCoK|32}}|thoughts of [[Sansa Stark]] after being beaten by [[Boros Blount]]}}
  
 
{{Quote|'''Sansa''': True knights protect the weak.<br>
 
{{Quote|'''Sansa''': True knights protect the weak.<br>
'''Sandor''': There are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you can't protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world, don't ever believe any different.{{ref|ACOK|52}}}} - [[Sansa Stark]] and [[Sandor Clegane]]
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'''Sandor''': There are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you can't protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world, don't ever believe any different.{{ref|ACOK|52}}|[[Sansa Stark]] and [[Sandor Clegane]]}}
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|There are gods and there are true knights too. All the stories can't be lies.{{ref|ACOK|52}}}} - thoughts of [[Sansa Stark]]
 
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|A true knight must defend the gentler sex.{{Ref|aFfC|4}}}} - Ser [[Creighton Longbough]] to [[Brienne of Tarth]]
 
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|A true knight is the only shield a maiden needs.{{Ref|aFfC|4}}}} - Ser [[Creighton Longbough]] to [[Brienne of Tarth]]
 
  
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{{Quote|There are gods and there are true knights too. All the stories can't be lies.{{ref|ACOK|52}}|thoughts of [[Sansa Stark]]}}
  
{{Quote|Old or young, a true knight is sworn to protect those who are weaker than himself, or die in the attempt.{{Ref|AFFC|31}}}} - [[Brienne of Tarth]]
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{{Quote|A true knight must defend the gentler sex.{{Ref|aFfC|4}}|Ser [[Creighton Longbough]] to [[Brienne of Tarth]]}}
  
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{{Quote|A true knight is the only shield a maiden needs.{{Ref|aFfC|4}}|Ser [[Creighton Longbough]] to [[Brienne of Tarth]]}}
  
{{quote|You are a true knight, Ser Lyle, to help a lady in distress.{{ref|AFFC|30}}}} - [[Amerei Frey]] to [[Lyle Crakehall]]
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{{Quote|Old or young, a true knight is sworn to protect those who are weaker than himself, or die in the attempt.{{Ref|AFFC|31}}|[[Brienne of Tarth]]}}
  
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{{quote|You are a true knight, Ser Lyle, to help a lady in distress.{{ref|AFFC|30}}|[[Amerei Frey]] to [[Lyle Crakehall]]}}
  
{{Quote|It is chivalry which makes a true knight, not a sword … without honor, a knight is no more than a common killer.  It is better to die with honor than to live without it.{{ref|ADWD|67}}}} - [[Barristan Selmy]], educating his squires in the [[Great Pyramid]]
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{{Quote|It is chivalry which makes a true knight, not a sword … without honor, a knight is no more than a common killer.  It is better to die with honor than to live without it.{{ref|ADWD|67}}|[[Barristan Selmy]], educating his squires in the [[Great Pyramid]]}}
  
==References and Notes==
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==References==
{{references|2}}
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{{references}}
  
[[Category:Knights| ]]
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[[Category:Knights]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]

Revision as of 18:47, 6 February 2019

The true knight is a concept that embodies all that a knight should aspire to be - exemplifying all the qualities of what knighthood stands for. He is a shining example to all and held in the very highest esteem. Very few knights are considered true knights, as achieving and maintaining such high and noble ideals is a hard duty.

Culture

There are Westerosi songs and stories, particularly those depicting honorable knights and chivalry, that are very popular amongst all strata of society. In particular, Sansa Stark is captivated by the concept of the true knight.[1]

A true knight must fully embrace the oath of knighthood:

In the name of the Warrior I charge you to be brave. In the name of the Father I charge you to be just. In the name of the Mother I charge you to defend the young and innocent. In the name of the Maid I charge you to protect all women.[2]

Chivalric code

True knights are supposed to:

  • Be brave and just.
  • Defend the young and innocent, especially women who can not defend themselves.[3][4][5][6]
  • Be cleanly as well as godly.[2]
  • Act with military courtesy: in combat when nobles and knights are taken prisoner, their lives are spared and are often held for ransom.

Alleged True Knights

Quotes

Sansa Stark assures Sandor Clegane that his brother Gregor is no true knight. Art by Heliotropa©

This man protected the weak, as every true knight must.[2]

Sansa: He was no true knight.
Sandor: No. No, little bird, he was no true knight.[1]

Knights are sworn to defend the weak, protect women, and fight for the right, but none of them did a thing. Only Ser Dontos had tried to help, and he was no longer a knight. No more than the Imp was, nor the Hound … the Hound hated knights … I hate them too. They are no true knights, not one of them.[6]

—thoughts of Sansa Stark after being beaten by Boros Blount

Sansa: True knights protect the weak.
Sandor: There are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you can't protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world, don't ever believe any different.[7]

There are gods and there are true knights too. All the stories can't be lies.[7]

—thoughts of Sansa Stark

A true knight must defend the gentler sex.[3]

A true knight is the only shield a maiden needs.[3]

Old or young, a true knight is sworn to protect those who are weaker than himself, or die in the attempt.[5]

You are a true knight, Ser Lyle, to help a lady in distress.[4]

It is chivalry which makes a true knight, not a sword … without honor, a knight is no more than a common killer. It is better to die with honor than to live without it.[8]

Barristan Selmy, educating his squires in the Great Pyramid

References