fatal

Courtly Love
Courtly love is an idealized and often illicit
form of love in which a knight or courtier devotes
himself to a noblewoman who is usually married
and feigns indifference to preserve her reputation.
Just as with chivalry, the uneducated masses often
romanticize courtly love. Not every culture practices
courtly love, but of those that do, the 12 chief
rules in love are known by all.
The 12 Chief Rules in Love
If the following rules in love are not observed
by a knight or squire, then they may not be
considered to be experiencing genuine courtly love,
either by themselves or others.
1. A character in love must avoid avarice like deadly
pestilence, and must embrace its opposite.
2. A character in love must remain chaste for the
sake of their lover.
3. A character in love must not knowingly participate
in breaking up a correct love affair in
which someone else is engaged.
4. A character in love must not choose a lover for
whom a natural sense of shame would forbid
marriage.
5. A character in love must avoid falsehood.
6. A character in love must not have many who know
of their love affair.
7. A character in love must be obedient in all things
to the commands of ladies, and should always
strive to serve their lover.
8. A character in love must be modest while giving
and receiving the solaces of love.
9. A character in love must speak no evil.
10. A character in love must not reveal love affairs.
11. A character in love must always be polite and
courteous.
12. A character in love must not exceed the desires
of their lover.
The Art of Courtly Love
In cultures that practice the art of courtly
love, it is admissible for both common folk, as well
as knights and courtiers, to adhere to the following
guidelines, hoping to demonstrate their genuine love
for another:
• Marriage is not an excuse for not loving.
• He who is jealous cannot love.
• No one can be bound by a double love.
• It is well known that love is always increasing
or decreasing.
• That which a lover takes against the will of
his beloved has no relish.
• Boys do not love until they reach the age of
maturity.
• When a lover dies, a widowhood of 2 years
is required of the survivor.
• No one should be deprived of love without
the very best of reasons.
• No one can love unless he is propelled by
the persuasion of love.
• Love is always a stranger in the home of
avarice.
• It is improper to love any woman whom
one would be ashamed to seek to
marry.
• A true lover does not desire to embrace in
love with anyone except his beloved.
• When made public, love rarely endures.
• The easy attainment of love makes it of
little value: difficulty of attainment
makes it prized.
• Every lover regularly turns pale in the presence
of his beloved.
• When a lover suddenly catches sight of his
beloved, his heart palpitates.
• A new love puts an old one to flight.
• Any character is worthy of love who has
temperance.
• If love diminishes, it quickly fails and rarely
revives.
• A man in love is always apprehensive.
• Real jealousy always increases the feeling of
love.
• Jealousy increases when one suspects his
beloved.
Chapter 6: Sociality
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