By Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
Edward, the Black Prince, accepts the surrender of John II of France at the Battle of Poitiers.
If a knight imprisons an adversary who is also a knight, whom he saw fight with great bravery and proved to be a tough nut to crack, as soon as the knight imprisoned him, the knight jumps off the horse, congratulates him for his bravery and takes him prisoner, saying, ‘Do you accept to be arrested with your word of honor that you will not flee?’ If you do, I will not keep you under watch. You can walk about our camp wherever you want and no guards will follow you. This is my way of showing appreciation for your great mettle and character.”
Naturally, you need to have a keen eye to be able to do this! Not just anyone can do it. But in general, a courageous knight trusts in the character of another courageous knight; because courage is a form of loyalty. And one who is very courageous—not courageous like a bandit, but like a hero—does not know how to lie. So the other knight trusts him.
The Surrender of Breda
And later the winner sends good clothes, good food rations and a special tent to the great man he defeated. This is gentlemanly. But here there is no rivalry; on the contrary, the winner glorifies the one he defeated. This is beautiful.
(Excerpt from a Chá, Sunday, Sept. 17, 1989 – Nobility.org translation)
