By the time that Sir Thomas Malory wrote Le Morte d'Arthur, the socio-economic system known as feudalism was in a process of irreversible decline. As feudalism declined, so too did the chivalric ideal, which had been regarded in previous ages with such extraordinary reverence by knights of the realm.

Inevitably, this change of attitude towards chivalry fed its way into Malory's retelling of the legend of King Arthur. Though there are many notable examples of chivalry throughout the book, there are also some egregious violations of the knightly code, such as the betrayal of Arthur by his illegitimate son Mordred. Even the ostensibly loyal Lancelot offends against the noble traditions of chivalry by conducting an illicit affair with Arthur's wife, Queen Guinevere.

In the end, the breaking of the chivalric ideal has serious consequences, including the eponymous death of Arthur and the fall of the Round Table, which had been held together for so long by bonds of mutual loyalty and knightly honor.

In the earlier work Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the chivalric ideal remains largely intact. The title character could be forgiven for reneging on his promise to the Green Knight to allow him to return Gawain's ax blow in a year and a day's time. But Gawain takes his role as a knight very seriously indeed. As part of the chivalric code, he must always keep his promises, even if it involves placing his life in danger. So instead of going back on his word, Gawain makes good on his promise and prepares to confront the Green Knight once more.

Gawain's knightly behavior with regards to beautiful women can also be contrasted with that of Lancelot in Le Morte d'Arthur. In Malory's story, as we've already seen, Lancelot violates the knightly code by having an affair with Guinevere. But Gawain is so much better at restraining his bodily urges. When staying at the castle of Lord Bertilak, he successfully fends off the seductive overtures of Lady Bertilak. In the process, he manages to pull off the rather neat trick of staying true to the knightly code while at the same time not offending Her Ladyship.