ict penalties were used by the church to enforce its code and belief, this kept many devoted, and also kept the general population from separating from the church sooner; the Crusades helped to reinforce the ideology of the perpetual war between good and evil, emphasizing the importance of the church. This warfare between light and darkness discouraged curiosity about the world and speculation about the unknown, and, once spurred by the church, many believed their curiosity could send them to hell. The Churchs Role with KnightsKnights held one of the most important roles throughout the medieval era in its entirety; the knights were defenders, as warriors some defended the populace while others pillaged. Their virtues consisted of, prowess, strength, courage, and loyalty; these were the virtues of a true warrior, a killing machine, who used his strength to contribute to society; even after having alienated himself from society, however this gives him the ability to jettison all concerns for life and soul, focusing his entire being upon the task at hand. Failure will result in the collapse of the society to which he belongs. After the dark ages the church grew into power and the clerks decided they should become knights of Christ; many did just this, some even going as far as casting themselves into the Holy War during the many crusades.With the lady, and demands of the court, the future of knights was shifted in a different direction; she demanded that a knight act with strength on one hand, and courtesy and respect on the other. A knight should respect women; he should defend them in their hour of need, shunning the magnetic gravity of mere lust. Love could be a powerful influence over a knight, a force that could propel him to greatness beyond his own abilities; the church declared that only the spiritual love of Christ was superior to the love of a woman, the important aspect here is love was added as a chivalric element....
