Chivalry, Courtly Romance, and Family Values

[RedRooster81]

The four centuries that are to be covered by Crusader Kings II saw many cultural, political, and social changes. One of the more enduring in terms of historical memory is chivalry. Originally a concept tied to horsemanship and feats of arms, chivalry developed historically by the XII century from a number of different influences, among them the Catholic Church's desire to moderate the violence of war, the troubadour tradition that popularized tales of gallantry, and the ideal of furusiyya[/], the Islamic ideal of manly endeavor. It became a code of sorts for how noblemen were supposed to act towards each other, towards noblewomen, and towards their social inferiors. Ideals such as mercy, fair play, and piety were important components. So how should chivalry be addressed in CK2? I have some basic ideas, but I would like for you to share yours as well.

(1) You as a liege can encourage chivalry through organizing tournaments, hosting troubadours at your court (and maybe writing poetry of your own), perhaps organizing quests (in imitation of King Arthur, Rolland, and other Christian knights of legend) and the like. There should also be diplomatic options that focus on honoring both Christian and non-Christian gentility.

(2) In CK1, chivalry was portrayed as a technology that had to be reached under the "Noble Customs" tech tree. I think that it should be a progressive process, and should have an effect on characters based on their traits: romantic characters should be chivalric; pragmatic or cruel ones not so much so.

 

[Keinwyn]

Whilst the concept is very apt to the era what are you proposing it actually do?

 

[RedRooster81]

Whilst the concept is very apt to the era what are you proposing it actually do?

That is always the key question. I wanted to put the question out there, but I would think that there should be cultural (or flavor) events once chivalry is an influence on your court. At a more pragmatic level, you would be encouraging valor, honor, and Christian charity among your knights, and there could be events that give such traits to children who are growing up at your court. I would like to hear what others might have to say here, because I have seen chivalry and courtly love mentioned more than once in other threads on this forum. And of course allow the developers to comment if they like.

 

[Caranorn]

One effect of chivalry and the associated tournaments would be greater quality of heavy cavalry (as the very notion of chivalry already enhances the cohesive bonds between the elite combattants (also makes personal bravery more important and cowardliness is greatly forwned on) and tournament then adds formation training). In the long run though, particularly as the practice of tournaments declines it would also lead to unruliness in combat (personal bravery becoming more important than the original cohesion gain and no more formation training as tournaments turn into a sport)...

Other aspects of chivalry and particularly courtly love and troubadours/Minnesänger would be less risk of women becoming depressed (or depressed women recovering). At least that's the first thing that comes to mind as this movement gave women a better position in court and generally encouraged men to be courteous. Obviously also event chains for courtly life, traits for particularly chivalrous characters etc.

 

[Captain Frakas]

CK2 could have 3 kinds of titles, the landed titles (baron, count, duke, king, emperor), the administrative titles (marshall, chancellor, treasurer, spymaster, lord spiritual) and prestigious titles that give money, prestige and loyalty to their owners.

Among those titles, enabled by noble custom tech tree, there could be squire and knight traits and in the last part of the game, knight orders with numerus closus (so a duke of Burgundy could give to 24 courtiers or vassals the prestigious title "knight of the golden fleece").

This could be used as the skeleton of personal ambitions and characters events.
(will CK2 have decisions by the way ? Or just events and laws ?)

 

[Don_giorgio]

For some reason i dont like the "Lord Spiritual" name... I prefer "Bishop" instead or "Abbot"

 

[Captain Frakas]

For some reason i dont like the "Lord Spiritual" name... I prefer "Bishop" instead or "Abbot"

I would prefers chaplain as it's what should represent a religious courtier.

Lord spiritual is the name used in alpha screen shots of CK2. (example: http://www.examiner.com/pc-game-in-...gs-ii-screenshots-picture?slide=29075946#main )

 

[RedRooster81]

I would prefers chaplain as it's what should represent a religious courtier.

Lord spiritual is the name used in alpha screen shots of CK2. (example: http://www.examiner.com/pc-game-in-...gs-ii-screenshots-picture?slide=29075946#main )

{ And on the third day Johan said, "Let there be localisation files." And it was good.
Modder's Bible, Book 1, Chapter 1, Verse 35. }

I'm sure you'll be able to change up the councilors' titles, that way you can have "constables" instead of "marshals" if you want, and "royal confessor" instead of "lord spiritual" (or what have ye).

@Captain Frakas: I definitely want to see Order of the Golden Fleece and similar knightly orders, with pensions of course.