In Old Arabic, the alternative word for “ Chivalry” ( Furúsiyyah as horsemanship) ( فروسه) was the word for “ Virtue” and “ Honour” ( Múruwwa as chivalric values) ( مروه), used as an interchangeable synonym. The Spanish chronicler Abanese wrote that “ Europe had not known the arts and practices of knighthood before the arrival to Andalusia of Arabs with their Knights and heroes a logical hypothesis in that Chivalry had not been known to the Greeks and Romans.”.

It was those Troubadours who famously helped to spread the medieval culture of Chivalry across Europe. Indeed, the Hispano-Arabic romantic literary forms, such as the Muwashshah love songs, were adopted by the Provençal Troubadours from the Arab courts in Andalusia (Spain). These ancient chivalric virtues were promoted by the Moors, who comprised the majority population of the Iberian Peninsula by 1100 AD, and their ancient Arabian contributions to Chivalry quickly spread throughout Europe. In classical Arab culture, to become a genuine Knight ( Fáris) ( فارس), one had to master the virtues of dignity, eloquence, gentleness, horsemanship and artistic talents, as well as strength and skill with weaponry. ‘Farussiyya’ Chivalry (1836) painting by Janvier Suchodolski in National Museum in Poznan Poland Poznan PolandĬhivalry was the most prominent characteristic of the Muslim “Moors” who conquered the Iberian Peninsula (covering Spain, Portugal, Andorra and part of Southern France) beginning in 711 AD. An important Arab contribution to Western medieval society, its origin has been virtually ignored by Western historians.” In particular, “ The ethical and romantic characteristic” of Chivalry ( Furúsiyyah) ( فروسه), “ as practiced in the Arabian Peninsula, evolved and spread with the Muslim expansion.” Historians specializing in medieval Arabia have established that 11th-12th century European Chivalry was greatly influenced by ancient Arabian Chivalry ( Al-Furúsiyyah Al-Arabiya) ( الفروسا العربيه): “ During the Arab era… and the years of the Crusades, Chivalry with all its attributes was transferred to Western Europe. While European Chivalry has its own ancient origins, some distinctive traditions of ancient Arabian Chivalry made substantial contributions to the unique brand of medieval European Chivalry of the Knights Templar. Accordingly, members of the modern Order also know that both traditions continue to be connected, and remain united in mutual respect and interfaith cooperation.Īrabian Chivalry Contributions to European Chivalry Despite popular misconceptions, it is a historical fact that the original Templar Order found common bonds of unity with the Muslim (Saracen) Knights of Saladin, rooted in shared ancient principles of Chivalry and spiritual Faith.

The Sovereign Magistral Order of the Temple of Solomon recognizes that our Muslim colleagues in the tradition of Saladin historically embodied and promoted the same Codes of Honour as the Knights Templar.

Order of chivalry code