The Book of the Order of Chivalry (c. 1275), was written by Ramon Llull (1232–1315), a polymath and Christian mystic from Majorca. Llull thought that knights should be chosen, trained, and ordained like priests. Llull’s book became a handbook of chivalry throughout much of Europe. Being a Christian mystic, of course he writes about Chivalry using Christian vocabulary. But I think his ideas transcend any particular Spiritual Tradition.
Llull wrote over 250 books on a wide range of subjects, including theology, philosophy, logic, science, and even poetry. (And one on Chivalry!) He is best known for his book Ars Magna — a groundbreaking philosophical and logical system that aimed to uncover universal truths using mathematics — now considered the invention of Mathematical Combinatorics. He was also known for his interest in memory and logical systems more generally: his method of linking virtues to physical objects is an example of the ancient memory technique known as the Memory Palace.
An overview of the Order of Chivalry, and a linked table of contents to all my blogs (with music) on various chapters of Llull’s book can be found HERE.
Here Llull equates the knight’s heavy quilted coat with ‘endurance’:
As the coat is worn over the other garments of iron, and in the rain, and receives the strokes before the hauberk and other armors, likewise a Knight is chosen to sustain greater travails than other men. And all the men who have been under him in nobility, and under his protection, ought when they have need to have recourse to him. And the night ought to defend them after his power, and the knight ought rather to be taken, hurt or dead, than the men in his care.
Llull’s comparison of the knight’s heavy quilted coat to endurance emphasizes the knight’s role as a protector and bearer of hardship. The coat, worn over the armor, absorbs the initial blows and endures the elements, representing the physical and emotional endurance required of a knight. Llull’s message here is clear: the knight, by virtue of his station, is called to endure more than others, bearing the weight of responsibility, suffering, and sacrifice in his service to the ideals of Chivalry.
“The coat signifies for the knight the great travails that he must suffer to honor Chivalry.”
The knight’s coat, which faces the rain, wind, and blows in battle, represents the knight’s willingness to endure hardship for the sake of honor and duty. Just as the coat protects the knight’s armor, endurance protects the knight’s integrity and his commitment to his calling. In life, enduring hardships is often necessary to stay true to one’s values. Many spiritual traditions place great emphasis on endurance, seeing it as a mark of spiritual maturity. In Christianity, for example, the concept of long-suffering (or forbearance) is a virtue that reflects strength, patience, and commitment to a higher cause. In Buddhism, the virtue of ksanti (patience or endurance) is essential to overcoming the trials of life and achieving enlightenment.
“As the coat is worn over the other garments of iron, and is in the rain, and receives the strokes before the hauberk and other armors.”
Llull paints a vivid image of the knight’s coat as a first line of defense, enduring the initial blows of battle before they reach the more rigid, protective armor underneath. This parallels the way endurance acts as a buffer in life’s challenges—absorbing the first waves of difficulty, stress, and pain. It is through enduring these initial hardships that one becomes stronger and more resilient. In many ways, this endurance becomes a source of inner strength. The Stoic philosophy, for instance, teaches that enduring suffering with composure builds the soul’s strength, allowing one to meet life’s challenges without being overwhelmed by them.
“Likewise a Knight is chosen to sustain greater travails than other men.”
Llull’s words highlight the knight’s special responsibility to bear greater burdens than the average person. The knight is expected to endure hardships not for personal gain but as part of his role in protecting and serving others. Endurance, in this context, becomes an act of selflessness. The knight’s willingness to endure for the sake of others is what elevates him to a position of nobility and honor. This idea of endurance as a noble virtue is reflected across spiritual traditions. In the Bhagavad Gita, for example, the warrior Arjuna is taught that enduring the trials of battle with grace and composure is not only necessary but part of one’s duty in life.
“And all the men who have been under him in nobility, and under his protection, ought when they have need to have recourse to him.”
The knight’s endurance is not just for his own sake—it serves a greater purpose. Those under his protection rely on his strength, and he is called to act as their shield, enduring on their behalf. This reflects the knight’s role as a protector, someone who must stand firm in the face of adversity, not only for his own honor but for the safety and well-being of others. This idea can be seen in the Christian concept of the good shepherd, where a leader or protector is willing to endure hardships for the sake of those in their care. In Sufism, the idea of sabr (patience or perseverance) emphasizes the endurance needed to carry others through difficult times, offering a source of strength and stability.
“The knight ought rather to be taken, hurt, or dead, than the men in his care.”
Llull’s powerful statement encapsulates the ultimate sacrifice that endurance demands. The knight’s duty is to protect those under his care, even at the cost of his own life. This self-sacrificial endurance reflects the highest ideal of chivalry—a willingness to lay down one’s life for the protection of others. This principle of self-sacrifice is a recurring theme in many spiritual traditions. In Christianity, the ultimate act of endurance is Christ’s suffering on the cross, endured for the salvation of others. Similarly, in warrior traditions like the samurai code of bushido, endurance in battle and the willingness to sacrifice one’s life for the protection of one’s lord or community is seen as the highest form of honor.
In conclusion, Llull’s metaphor of the knight’s heavy quilted coat as endurance reflects the essential role of this virtue in the life of a knight. Just as the coat endures the elements and protects the armor, the knight’s endurance allows him to face greater hardships than others, shielding those under his care. Endurance is not simply about surviving difficulties; it is about bearing them with grace, patience, and strength for the sake of others. Across spiritual traditions, endurance is revered as a key virtue, necessary for personal growth, moral strength, and the fulfillment of one’s duty to others. Llull’s vision of endurance calls us to recognize that true strength lies not in avoiding hardship but in embracing it as part of our journey, especially when it allows us to protect and uplift those who rely on us.
