#english_history 

## Objects of admiration & Origin
[[War of England with Scotland and France|Edward III]] and his eldest son, **the Black Prince**, were greatly renowned for their valiance on the battlefield and for their courtly manners, becoming symbols of the **"code of chivalry"**, the way in which a perfect knight should behave.
Once, a lady at Edward III's court accidantly dropped her garter and some of his courtiers started laughing. He picked up tthe garter and tied it to his own leg, saying "Let him be ashamed who sees wrong in it". Thus, the Order of the Garter was founded in **1348**. 
In it Edward chose 24 knights (just like as the legendary king Arthur had chosen), which met once a year on St George's Day at Windsor Castle.

## The Code
According to the code of chivalry, the perfect knight fought for his good name if insulted, served god and the king, and defended any lady in need.

## Practical usage
Chivalry was a useful way of persuading men to fight by romanticising war, which was, of course, cruel. The Black Prince was feared in France for his cruelty.