I have used the callsign "Paladin" for several years now, starting from the middle of junior high when I became enthralled in the world of fantasy and science fiction. Soon afterwards I began using the name Paladin just about everywhere, even promoting it to "Lord Paladin" to signify my coming of age. Yet every now and then, I am asked the question, "What does Paladin mean?", or "What is a Paladin?"
More often than not, I've always answered that a Paladin is simply an advanced form of knights-in-shining-armor. Take the essence of a knight (which existed back in medieval times), and exponentially expand the values and ideals that they fight for. Also add in vastly improved fighting techniques and mental capabilities, and you have the quintessential Paladin.
According to the Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary of 1996, a Paladin is "a knight-errant; a distinguished champion; as, the paladins of Charlemagne. -- Sir W. Scott." Unfortunately, I have made the mistake of attributing the original existence of Paladins to Richard the Lionheart, during the infamous Crusades. After researching this discrepancy further, it seems I was partially correct: the Paladins actually began with Charlemagne's rule over England, but Richard the Lionheart employed numerous Paladinic orders in his bid to conquer the holy land. Charlemagne's Paladins were a elite group of twelve knights bound to protect him. Richard's Paladins consisted of holy warriors (Knights Templar) and warrior healers (Knights Hospitaler).
History aside, the characteristics, traits, and personalities of a Paladin are now quite blurred after the passage of time and the commercialism of role playing games. However, my simplistic research have yielded the following information as to how a Paladin behaves under most circumstances. A Paladin upholds ideals (whether cherished by a upstanding organization, or by him/herself) and under no circumstances act against his/her ethos. To do so would be considered a grave offense, and they would be stripped of their Paladin status. Graver penanlties may be enacted if they belonged to orders that demands as such. Furthermore, a Paladin is generous, kind, forgiving, honorable, loyal, just, fair, and humble. In some cases, to turn against those ideals are an offense punishable by death.
How does that apply today in the modern world? Or better yet, am I justified in claiming the role as a Paladin?
The modern world, such as it is, bares very little resemblence to those times of centuries past. The ideals of honor, loyalty, and justice have been scattered to the far winds. Generosity and kindness appears every now and then, but usually only if the strife caused by the event is catastrophic. Organized religions known as churches which were responsible for the introduction of Paladins and Knights during the Middle Ages are not as noble as they were back then, so for a Paladin to support such a corrupt organization is questionable at best. What is a Paladin to do?
My interpretation of the situation may seem bizzare to some, but it makes sense in the bigger picture. Paladins are not restricted to supporting a church. They may choose to support a philosophy which they determine that it serves the greater good, and does not promote evil or wrongdoings. In my case, I chose to support the philosophy of rational anarchy (I'll write another article about that). As far as honor, loyalty, and fairness is concerned, that is non-negotiable (I consider fairness and justice to be inter-changeable). But generosity and kindness I reserve the right to administer as I see fit. It is one thing for a fellow good being to benefit from my kindness, but it is another for a evil-doer to benefit from my generosity. I am seeking out proper training resources to supplement my fighting capabilities (not that I expect to use it, since Paladins do not promote violence, but rather self-defense), and the trusted steeds of knights past have been replaced by my trusty beast of steel (motorcycle). Humbleness I have displayed for the most part (sometimes not, which I am in the process of resolving), humility I have ingrained into my soul since the time I have spent in Hell.
But what about the matter of courtly love, you ask? Honestly I have not yet forumlated a proper response to this. This hinges on the technicality that Paladins are suppose to follow the rules of courtly love, but they are also expected to be celibate for their whole life. Kind of a interesting catch 22, no? Until I find a reasonable solution to this, I will deal with it on a case by case basis, not that there would be many cases to resolve. . .
In essence, what I propose to be Paladins of the modern day may not be the exact replica of the Paladins of ages past (who walks around with a full suit of plate mail nowadays anyways?), but more of a evolutionary descendant that upholds the same values yet adaptive to the changes in the world. This "new" class of Paladins may be termed as "Neo Paladins", or "Rogue Paladins", but the mere change in naming conventions cannot discount the fact there are still a few Paladins walking in this plane of existence, whether they themselves are aware of the fact or not.