Rules for a Knight: The Last Letter of Sir Thomas Lemuel Hawke

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The primary goal of knighthood was to uphold the dignity of the Church. The foundation of chivalry was Christianity as it was created by the church, for the church, and through the church. Tonight,” Sir Thomas Lemuel Hawkes of Cornwall begins in a letter to his four children, “ I will share with you some of the more valuable stories, events, and moments of my life so that somewhere deep in the recesses of your imagination these lessons might continue on and my experiences will live to serve a purpose for you.” The book received some criticism for its "anachronistic nature", but was positively reviewed over all. Hawke has cited his own children and the rules of his home as inspiration for Rules for a Knight. He stated in an interview with The New Yorker, "What has been valuable about [the book] for me was that it gave me an excuse and permission to bring up subject matters that are very difficult to talk about with kids." Later he told me when he was younger he learned the secret to performing under pressure: don’t do it for yourself. Do it for someone else. “I know your grandfather always tells us to think of nothing. But when I get scared I just think of someone I love.”

Grace– Thomas offers advice to his daughters regarding beauty and aging, warning them against conceit. He also recounts a tale in which he and Sir Richard encounter travelers along the road. How a knight lives is what is important, not on which particular afternoon he was born or on which specific morning he might die.Lawrence, Al (2016). Chess and the Art of War. New York, USA: Chartwell Books. p.16. ISBN 978-0-7858-3281-2. This is my book summary of Rules for a Knight by Ethan Hawke. My notes are informal and often contain quotes from the book as well as my own thoughts. This summary includes key lessons and important passages from the book.

Each one of us is walking our own road. We are born at specific times, in specific places, and our challenges are unique. As knights, understanding and respecting our distinctiveness is vital to our ability to harness our collective strength. The use of force may be necessary to protect in an emergency, but only justice, fairness, and cooperation can truly succeed in leading men. We must live and work together as brothers or perish together as fools. Create time alone with yourself. When seeking the wisdom and clarity of your own mind, silence is a helpful tool. The voice of our spirit is gentle and cannot be heard when it has to compete with others. Just as it is impossible to see your reflection in troubled water, so too is it with the soul. In silence, we can sense eternity sleeping inside us. Barden, Leonard (1980), Play better Chess with Leonard Barden, Octopus Books Limited, pp.10, 11, ISBN 0-7064-0967-1 During the 14th century, the Duke of Burgundy broke the Knights Code of Chivalry into several virtues. These virtues included the following:

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Think of yourself as a tree with an extensive root system, gaining nourishment from many elements; wife, children, friends, work, your service as a knight, community.” Pay attention: what you need to know is usually in front of you. There are no secrets, just things people choose not to notice." pg 63 Even among sets of the standard Staunton pattern, the style of the pieces varies. The knights vary considerably. Here are some examples.

The medieval period was also known for violence and death, thus it was also called the Dark Ages. Knights were expected to have the strength and skills to face combat but they must also know how to temper their aggressive side with chivalrous acts” Gratitude– a young Thomas suffers from a toothache and complains constantly, annoying his grandfather. When winter comes, young Hawke complains of the cold. His grandfather reminds him that at least his tooth no longer bothers him. Faith– Thomas remembers a woman who went mad with grief after the loss of her son. Thomas's grandfather designed a task for her so that she might learnt he sorrow of others, allowing her to regain her mind. Those who underwent knighthood also underwent a process of purification. This was a ceremony where the sacraments and relics were put into the hilt of his sword, tying his duty to God, which was the central notion of chivalry.Often we imagine that we will work hard until we arrive at some distant goal, and then we will be happy. This is a delusion. Happiness is the result of a life lived with purpose. Happiness is not an objective. Een vader schrijft aan de vooravond van een veldslag zijn vier kinderen een brief, met daarin vervat de regels om nobel te leven. Dezelfde regels die hij op zijn beurt van zijn grootvader - waarvan hij schildknaap was - overgeleverd kreeg. Eigenlijk net als een hedendaagse overwerkte vader op zakenreis zou kunnen doen. Iedereen kan ten slotte plotseling 'geveld' worden. Iedere eeuw heeft daarvoor zijn ziekten en ongevallen. Love is the end goal. It is the music of our lives. There is no obstacle that enough love cannot move. Every task I can think of is aided by an awareness of breath. It is the connective tissue of the universe, binding all living creatures together. By focusing on our breath, we are able to more adeptly inhabit our bodies and function on instinct.

Do not speak ill of others. A knight does not spread news that he does not know to be certain, or condemn things that he does not understand.Those who cannot easily forgive will not collect many friends. Look for the best in others and yourself.