[MR] defining terms

[ldmolly at md.metrocast.net]

     If I may add some additional information to further muddy this issue (smile), the concepts of courtesy and chivalry really start to be intertwined with the passage of the Pax Dei (the 'Peace of God'). This is where knights were extorted by the church to refrain from attacking "innocents": women, children...and the clergy. This seems to have been one of the sparks that changed the concept of what was "chivalrous" behavior by knights, a concept that continues even today. Prior to the passage of the Pax Dei, what was "chivalrous" was often any action that furthered the cause of your liege lord...which may or may not have been courteous (hahahaha).

Molly

PS- Please pardon me if anyone has already mentioned this info...I'm still wading through the MR messages on the topic.