Joining the Chivalry Movement – Knights In Training Book Review

This year we started our school year off by doing a short study on knights and castles for history lessons. We discussed the way of life, and how castles were protected. We also studied the rigorous training a young man would go though to become a knight. I remember thinking I wished the ideals of chivalry and living by the code were still common place today. The thought of doing the same kind of intense knight training both intrigued and intimidated me. I had no idea where to begin, so I didn’t.

|I have received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own, for complete disclosure see my marketing page.

The Need for Knights in Training

While studying knights, I wondered what it would look like if young men still honored the code. I wanted to raise our son to live a life following the code of chivalry. However, I didn’t know where to begin or how to apply it to modern times.

Fortunately, author Heather Haupt gives us practical ideas in her book Knights in Training. When asked what inspired her to write Knights in Training Heather said:

“Coming up with the idea for knight training was birthed out of a desire to be intentional in raising my boys. When I saw that their love for everything battle meshed well with my discovery that chivalry was far more than how a man treats a woman, I knew I wanted to embark on a season of knight training and pursuing living by this code that for the knight’s of old was an entire way of living. Little did I realize that embarking on this initial season of knight training would alter the way we viewed our role as parents and forever shape the way my boys viewed these years of childhood.”

“I wrote the book to really flesh out what it can look like to celebrate boys for who they are and cast a vision for a life of adventure embodying the spirit of a modern-day knight. Boys are getting a bad rap these days. Part of that stems from how we approach educating boys as well as a lack of understanding and appreciation for what makes them unique. Our world needs good men and my aim with this book is to strengthen the resolve and equip parents to reach their boys by appreciating who they are and how they are wired as well as inspire them to become the men they are meant to become.”

The Knights Code of Chivalry

Knights in Training lists out ten principles that make up the knight’s code of chivalry. Each of these principles that make up the code are key aspects that we, as parents, teach through knight training.

The ten principles for the knight’s code of chivalry include:

1. Love God
2. Obey
3. Stand against injustice
4. Protect the weak
5. Respect women
6. Don’t give offense
7. Speak truth
8. Be generous
9. Persevere
10. Pursue excellence

Can you picture it? How would our communities change if we started intentionally raising our boys to live to the high standard of knights? What if, in training our young knights in the code of chivalry, we started a movement? How would our culture change a generation from now if we all decided the throw down the gauntlet? It’s time to stop accepting the moral standard of our times. That bar is set way too low. It’s time to expect more from our sons. We should expect them to become knightly men.

The Book Itself

As far as the book Knights in Training goes, you should know I’ve never been big on reading parenting or self help type books. I have a lot of books sitting around collecting dust, having read only one chapter. In fact the only parenting book (other than this one) that I’ve read cover to cover is What to Expect When Your Expecting.

Knights in Training is different. Of course the concept peeked my interest to start with, but the book itself kept my interest. The book is an easy read (essential for busy moms like myself). I loved the stories, both real life and fictional stories of knights. It is filled with practical tips and ideas to train your knights to live by the code in the modern era. My highlighter was working overtime through out the entire book.

The book also contains several resource suggestions for your knight training. Resources include books, movies, audio books, and chores for kids broken down by age.

Whether you are parenting one boy or several, this book is a must read!

Accepting the Call To Join the Chivalry Movement

This book is so much more than just another parenting book. It really is a call to join the chivalry movement.

From a parenting standpoint this sounds amazing, but difficult. It’s not going to be easy. The ideas behind Knights in Training are definitely counter cultural. That being said, nothing worth doing is ever easy. Parenting is hard, training our children to live in a way that isn’t the cultural norm is even more difficult.

I encourage you not to accept the call alone. Make sure both you and your spouse read the book and discuss how it will look in your home. In order for you knight training to be successful, you will need to work together with your spouse.

Find some friends and family who have the same goals and work through it side by side. Maybe even do knight training as a small group within your church.

I for one, am excited to see the impact the code of chivalry can have in our house.

Will you take up the call to join the chivalry movement?