The Only Use of
chivalry
in
Henry IV, Part 2
- For his, it stuck upon him as the sun In the grey vault of heaven; and by his light Did all the chivalry of England move To do brave acts: he was indeed the glass Wherein the noble youth did dress themselves: He had no legs that practis'd not his gait; And speaking thick, which nature made his blemish, Became the accents of the valiant; For those who could speak low and tardily Would turn their own perfection to abuse, To seem like him: so that in speech, in gait, In diet, in affections of delight, In military rules, humours of blood, He was the mark and glass, copy and book, That fashion'd others.†
Scene 2.3
Definitions:
-
(1)
(chivalry) the medieval principles governing knighthood and knightly conduct such as honor, kindness, bravery, and protection of the weak
or:
courtesy -- especially of men towards women -
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Much less commonly, "chivalry" may reference a group of elite medieval fighters.