In the Beginning...

My entire life, I have felt somewhat out of place. Not only out of place, but out of time.

Was I born in the wrong time period? Do I just have an old soul? Why do I miss the feeling of a sword at my side? Why do I feel that wrongs must be righted and the weak must be defended? Why do I feel that the sword is a much nobler and just weapon than a gun could ever be?

You can laugh. You can scoff. But it is how I feel.

They say that chivalry is dead.

Some might beg to differ. Begging, however is not in my being.

So, I will prove it is not dead instead.

With that in mind, I will set out on a quest of betterment and reconstitution. I searched for and found the following rules of chivalry (http://www.astro.umd.edu/~marshall/chivalry.html).

These seem to resonate with me, so for the next 365 days I will pledge to live by them every day. As easy as it might seem to live by these, I know it will be a challenge.

I will update my blog at least once a week with the challenges I face on my quest. Where a rule applies to I will cite it with explanations. Some of these items do not have meaning in our country, and I will therefore make amendments in parenthesis when such items appear.

Live to serve King(God) and Country.

Live to defend Crown (Home) and Country and all it holds dear.

Live one's life so that it is worthy of respect and honor.

Live for freedom, justice and all that is good.

Never attack an unarmed foe.

Never use a weapon on an opponent not equal to the attack.

Never attack from behind.

Avoid lying to your fellow man.

Avoid cheating.

Avoid torture.

Obey the law of King (God), Country, and chivalry.

Administer justice.

Protect the innocent.

Exhibit self control.

Show respect to authority.

Respect women.

Exhibit Courage in word and deed.

Defend the weak and innocent.

Destroy evil in all of its monstrous forms.

Crush the monsters that steal our land and rob our people.

Fight with honor.

Avenge the wronged.

Never abandon a friend, ally, or noble cause.

Fight for the ideals of king (God), country, and chivalry.

Die with valor.

Always keep one's word of honor.

Always maintain one's principles.

Never betray a confidence or comrade.

Avoid deception.

Respect life and freedom.

Die with honor.

Exhibit manners.

Be polite and attentive.

Be respectful of host, women, and honor.

Loyalty to country, King(God), honor, freedom, and the code of chivalry.

Loyalty to one's friends and those who lay their trust in thee.

But chivalry is not enough by itself. For a chivalrous knight is nothing without his sword and his health.

Therefore, I will find and participate in sword lessons. In an age where swords have been rendered nearly useless ornamental objects, many have forgotten their majesty and nobility. For me though, it will be a way to reconnect and find that piece of me that has seemed to be missing. It will also help me to become more healthy and an additional source of stress relief from the normal world.

And so, now it begins. Where it ends, I am not sure, but I know that it will be at something/place better.

I am,

Jeffrey R. Daniel