[Ansteorra] What is Honor?

[Hugh & Belinda Niewoehner]

I was curious if I could find any representations of the virtues as 
animals.  I tried doing some research.  This site had a fascinating 
though long discussion of animals representing theological virtues etc. 

http://bestiary.ca/etexts/evans1896/evans%20-%20animal%20symbolism%20in%20ecclesiastical%20architecture.pdf

An excerpt:

Virtues and vices are often figured by women contending for victory, and 
bearing
shields on which are inscribed their names or emblems, as, for example, 
the twelve
virtues and twelve vices in the cathedral at Amiens; sometimes they are 
riding on
animals, as in the miniatures of a manuscript in the Musée de Cluny 
dating from the
fourteenth century. Here Humility is mounted on a panther, Chastity on a 
unicorn;
Patience or Christian Resignation wears a helmet adorned with a swan, 
because this
fowl sings with its dying breath like the martyrs; Love bears a pelican 
on her shield;
Devotion rides an ibex, the symbol of aspiration and perseverance, owing 
to its
fondness for high altitudes and its climbing power, and has a phoenix on 
her shield to
signify the renewing [154] virtue of fervid piety; Pride has an eagle on 
her shield,
because this bird discards those of her young which cannot endure the 
fierce light of the
sun, as a haughty spirit despises the meek and lowly; on the shield of 
Lust is a siren,
whose sweet song allures men to their destruction.

On the seven Knightly virtues I found an interesting article by a Count  
Sir Garick von Kopke at  
/http://www.chronique.com/Library/Chivalry/garick1.htm

/On Honor He says:

*HONESTY*

"/Fals swerynge and vntrewe othe / be not in them that mayntene thordre 
of chyulary/"^3 
<http://www.chronique.com/Library/Chivalry/garick1.htm#footnote%203>

/Honesty and Honor are and always have been tied together with bonds 
that cannot be broken.  Indeed Honesty and Honor are from the same root 
word (Latin, Honus) and a man who would have Honor must have Honesty. /

/In the SCA a man's word is his bond. This is as it should be. All 
people should guard against swearing lightly, as what is sworn must be 
done. So also should one be honest in witness. Be always careful not to 
let your feelings about something become fact in your speech. Most 
importantly, a Knight should always be Honest with himself and not let 
excuses or wishes color one's beliefs.

/He ends his discussion of the virtues with the following:

T/hus I charge you to always hold your pride in check with humility, to 
always seek honor over glory, and to always do honor unto your 
Inspiration.  I have quoted Lull extensively throughout this article, 
and I will leave you with one further quote. /

 "*/For honour is more worth than gold or syluer withoute ony comparyson/*."



I agree,

Ismet


willowdewisp at juno.com wrote:
> Hi everyone this is Willow
> I had a great time at Wiesenfeuer, too much of a great time. So I am stuck in bed again. Boring.  
> I was wondering what everyone else is up to.  Please write and tell us all about any new project you are doing. I am still unloading boxes and trying to find places for stuff. I haven't found the pedal for my sewing machine and this is driving me crazy. 
> I started restoreing wall hangings. So the next time you see them they should have new paint .I want to start a new set of ones on the virtures of the knightly path. 
> I have been looking at lists of medieval knightly virtures  and on one list I see Franchise and on another I see Honor. As I look into this they seem to be related. In the medieval mind "honor" seems to be living to the standards set by those who came before you and "Franchise" seems not only to be what is due you but what standards you must meet or be "dishonored"
> I would like some feedback  on what we think "honor" is in Ansteorra.
> Willow
> _