Old Code

The Old Code was a set of rules followed by knights, which were meant to maintain order in the world. It was followed strictly by Bowen. Here is the full version:

"Inside the table's circle, Under the sacred sword. A knight must vow to follow The code that is unending, Unending as the table— A ring by honor bound.

A knight is sworn to valor, His heart knows only virtue, His blade defends the helpless, His might upholds the weak, His word speaks only truth, His wrath undoes the wicked.

The right can never die, If one man still recalls. The words are not forgot, If one voice speaks them clear. The code forever shines, If one heart holds it bright."

The better-known version is much shorter, consisting of lines 7-12:

"A knight is sworn to valor, His heart knows only virtue, His blade defends the helpless, His might upholds the weak, His word speaks only truth, His wrath undoes the wicked."

Apparently there is also a version that takes a form as an oath made when squires become knights or when someone is being sworn into office, such as when Lord Osric is sworn in as the King's chief advisor. Here is the oath:

"I, (name), choose the Old Code as my own. I am hereby sworn to valor, to speak only the truth, to use arms to defend the helpless, to use might to uphold the weak. My heart knows only virtue. My wrath will undo the wicked."

Knights of the Old Code

 * OUTA MADRE
 * Gareth: Before a squire has a great ability with the sword that surpasses almost any other knight, his ability surpassed Sir Horsa, this ability, and his great value is what gives him the title of knight, Gareth respects the old code very much.

Trivia

 * The Dragonheart novelization reveals the symbol of the Old Code is "a silver sword, hilt up, within a golden circle". Following the first two lines of the full code, the sword represents Excalibur and the circle represents King Arthur's Round Table.