The Medieval
European Hero

WARRIOR CODE: Conduct oneself honorably and heroically in battle with intent to amass great wealth, trophies and glory. Reputation is enhanced by willingness to face everwhelming odds singly and courageously.

COURTLY LOVE: Warrior-knight wins glory for his lady or his king, but not for himself. Like the classical warrior, he conduets himself courageously in battle, but his goal is to win glory for his sponsors, not to amass wealth for himself or enhance his own glory.

INTERACTION WITH GODS: Gods reside on the earth and directly involve themselves with humans. They are lusty, manipulative, irascible, vengeful and subject to mood changes. Capricious and whimsical, the gods can be inconsistent and petty, but they are always in power, and they reward their favorites as well as punish those they dislike.

SUBORDINAI'ION TO GOD: Because God rarely interacts with humans, appear-ances by Him, or His agents, are miraculous. He can be vengeful or merciful, but He is rarely anything else. His home is in heaven, far from earth, and warriors do not feel free to challenge or question Him. He is clearly their superior.

ETERNAL REST: Warriors who distinguish themselves and die in battle are rewarded with an eternal home where they can reside in peace. These after worlds resemble the finest spots on earth. For instance, classical warriors rest in Elysian Fields, which resemble the finest nature scenes of Greece. Similarly, Norse heroes are escorted by Valkyrian maidens to Valhalla, a huge hall for drinking, singing and storytelling.

HEAVEN: Warriors who maintain their faith in and allegiance to God till their deaths are rewarded by joining Him in heaven, a distant place with little relation to earth. The glory they have foregone on earth is given to them now.

ATTAINING THE GOAL: Though warriors may die in the attainment of, or shortly after attaining, their goals, they do succeed. They conquer their foe and receive recognition for their achievement, including wealth and fame.

DEFERRED GLORY: Warriors may attain their goals, but often they are not the goals they intended. As part of their earthly humbling, often they attain insight or knowledge they hadn't intended. Though they may fail in attaining their initial goal, if they accept the lesson God teaches them, they receive the more worthy goal of eternal life with God.