Lecture for Knighthood.

An argument for the addition of the concept of Justice to the Codes of Chivalry

Friends and Brothers and Sisters of Daingneach Onoir. I stand before you tonight, facing the task that many have faced before: To provide a lecture on one of the tenants of The Code of Honor. Since the beginning of the Azure Hydra this has been tradition. However, tonight I hope to offer to you an opportunity to make a change to the Codes we all hold so dear. I will make a case for the inclusion of the concept of Justice to the Code of Chivalry. I will offer a definition of the concept of Justice as I envision it. Then I will discuss how the concept of Justice I propose works with the Way of Honor . Then I will relate times when I have seen justice mis-served or injustice allowed to flourish.

I. Definition of Justice

A. To practice justice one must be consistent with what is morally right. One must strive for conformity in the practice of law based on truth, fact, and sound reason. One must practice moral law, and must have integrity in the dealings of men and women with each other.

B. What this really means.

A definition of Justice is only the first step however. Like any other concept put forward by any thinking being, it is subject to interpretation by other thinking beings. It is consensus of interpretation that brings people like us together. For as we all conceive Honor in our own way, the basic premise of what it is to be honorable unites us. With the hope of forging that unity, I will endeavor to interpret this concept of Justice.

“To practice justice one must be consistent with what is morally right.” We are no strangers to the concept of moral rectitude. Indeed, the mandate that each of us follow our own moral conscience is the cornerstone on which our concept of honor is formed.

What will be more of a trial is the second concept put forward. “One must strive for conformity in the practice of law based on truth, fact, and sound reason.” It is here that we are commanded to offer justice with an even hand. Any ruler of beings who is considered just knows that the law must apply equally to all men and women, all races and creeds, all walks of life. If there is no justice for the least among us, how can there be for the greatest?

Finally “One must practice moral law, and must have integrity in the dealings of men and women with each other.” If we are to bring justice to those around us we must never loose sight of our own place under the law. This is an extension of the ideal of never telling a lie. If we are not just in our hearts, we shall never be just in our application.



II. How Justice relates to the other codes

As Honor is the glue that holds Daingneach Onoir together, the ways of honor are the guides by which each of us becomes a piece to be shaped into a whole. Therefore, if Justice is to become a part of the Way of Honor, we must first examine how it works in relation to each.



A. The Way of Honor

1. Thou shalt follow the dictates of moral conscience.

2. Thou shalt be willing to defend thy principals – no matter the outcome.

Moral law and moral conscience are one ideal when properly applied. If the dictates of principal do not follow moral law, then it is the duty of a moral being to examine the law and if necessary, work for change in the law.

3. Thou shalt have respect and compassion for the weak, and steadfastness in defending them.

4. Thou shalt love Elanthia and obey its (Just) laws.

6. Thou shalt show loyalty to truth and to thy pledged word.

A moral law must apply to all who live under its protection. None are above the law; not those who create it, not those who enforce it. Those who swear to uphold the word of law must ever be vigilant that they do not tread upon the moral law for their own gain. However, a law that does not apply to one and all under its auspices is not a Just law, and therefore it is the duty of the moral conscience to make change in any unjust law.

5. Thou shalt refuse to retreat before the enemy, waging (unceasing and merciless) war against all that is evil.

8. Thou shalt be champion of the right and good at all times, and at all times oppose the forces of evil.

Those who uphold lawlessness or unjust law are evil. As any other evil they must be pursued and shown the error of their ways. The moral conscience allows for many methods of accomplishing this. From feat or arms, to feat of reason. Each moral being must choose the way of changing the unjust to the just that allows for the least harm to come to the innocent.

7. Thou shalt be generous and giving of thyself.

9. Thou shalt train the youth in the honorable ways whenever the opportunity arises.

The rule of law is not eternal. It cannot stand on its own unchanging. There must ever be new defenders of the law to take the place of the old who fall. It is the duty of all who follow moral conscience to see to the instruction of the young in the ways of moral law, despite any hardships it may entail.

10. Thou shalt make the following terms thy life’s work: Honor, Valor, Faith, Honesty, Duty, Strength, and Loyalty.

Each of these ideals is critical to the upholding of moral law and justice. Without an understanding of any one of these principals the law becomes flawed. It is the duty of all who would work for justice to understand and follow these ideals to the best of his or her ability.

Further, as each of us is mortal, and therefore fallible, it is our duty as well to know when we have failed to do so, and to seek to redress those we have wronged by failing moral law. This is the true essence of Justice.



III. How I have seen Injustice

There have been times in my experience with Daingneach Onoir that I have seen injustice at work, both within our group and without. I bring these times to your attention now not as a condemnation of those responsible, but as a learning tool for those who would not see such errors repeated. Please, I ask that any of you involved hold any comments about the proceedings I will be mentioning. Now is not the time to rehash old arguments. I wish only to show how the concept of Justice is needed among us.



The first time I witnessed injustice was at a trial held by allies, but it involved one of our own. It was clear to me at the time that the organization holding the trial did not have clear rules governing fair trials for its members. During the proceeding many unjust things were allowed to be presented as evidence, not the least of which was suppositional testimony from a witness. Further the accused was not allowed to confront his accusers nor was he allowed to make any statement in self-defense. A more thoroughly unjust system I cannot imagine. Regardless of the particular guilt or innocence of the accused, any trial that is so heavily weighted in one direction from the outset. A set forum for trials, in which a presumption of innocence until guilt is proven, is an absolute must for any system of Justice that can truly call itself moral. I believe that it will be the duty of some among us to discuss this very system in the future.



The second time I witnessed injustice was not in the application but the lack thereof. There was an accusation made against a member of this organization recently. Through the process of our own laws, a trial was called for. The accusation was made known and the reputation of the accused suffered for it. Then, in time the trial was cancelled. This may seem to some to be an adequate solution, however, even in the most just hearts, a question likely remains. Was there truth to the accusation? The only way to assure absolution of the accused is for a trial to be properly held and the accused be proclaimed innocent.



IV. Why Onoir should adopt Justice as a Code

In closing Friends, Brothers and Sisters, the conception of Justice I have outlined here is one that I feel very strongly about. It is the last chink in the armor that protects we of Onoir from the baseness and chaos that so often drown the lands. If we are to truly stand for Honor, how can we do so without Justice. I call upon the Lord Paladin to hear my request that an amendment be made to the Codes of Chivalry to wit:



Justice: To practice Justice one must be consistent with what is morally right. One must strive for conformity in the practice of law based on truth, fact, and sound reason. One must practice moral law, and must have integrity in the dealings of men and women with each other.



Thank you for your attention.