Lytton Strachey once said: "The old interests of the aristocracy - the romance of action, the exalted passions of chivalry and war - faded into the background, and their place was taken from the refined and intimate pursuits of peace and civilization.” The differences between medieval and modern times show the progression in love, honor and chivalry from the era of King Arthur's knights to the modern times of Nicholas Sparks' novels , the image of what was originally a knight fighting for his "Princess" was changed to a man dating a woman, to show that through the generations courtly love will always exist but due to the change of responsibilities , the man no longer has the obligation to follow his girlfriend according to the code of chivalry. In medieval literature the man represents a "Knight in shining armor" who follows the Code of chivalry to free the "damsel in distress" ( Cavalry 2). The Code of Chivalry "was a moral system that went beyond the rules of combat and introduced the concept of chivalrous conduct, qualities idealized by knighthood, such as courage, courtesy, honor and gallantry towards women" (2). Men of the Arthurian era also showed medieval courtly love towards women. Men who were “knights [served] her court lady with the same obedience and loyalty she owes her lord lord. [The woman] has complete control of the love relationship, while he owes her obedience and submission” (Schwartz 2). In the Allegory of Love, C.S. Lewis describes “the secret love of Lancelot and Guinevere” (Mims 3). Lancelot represents “the easy attainment of love makes it of little value; the difficulty of obtaining it makes it appreciated” (Medieval Courtly Love 2). Lancelot demonstrates this quote when he sets out to save Queen Guinevere... middle of paper... still resists today with the same expectations as once, because without the "fight" that a man must win, or the respect that a man should give to a woman, love would not prevail. Works Cited "Cavalry". Medieval life and times. Network. 01 December 2011."Code of Chivalry." Medieval life and times. Network. 01 December 2011."Medieval courtly love." Medieval life and times. Network. 06 November 2011. "Medieval View of Love: General." Courtly love. A Guide to the Study of Literature: A Companion Text for Fundamental Studies 6, Landmarks of Literature, Department of English, Brooklyn College. August 17, 2000. Web. November 6, 2011. Mims, J. E. “Courteous Love.” May 26, 1997. Web. November 28, 2011.Schwartz, Dr. Debora B. "Wallpapers of Romance: Courtly Love." Cal Poly CLA - College of Liberal Arts. Network. 06 November 2011."The notebook." Nicola Scintille. Grand Central Editions. Network. 01 December. 2011.