According rules: if you attack a knight who is unarmed you loose 1 honor [5th, page 76].
Does this also count if the knight broke his weapon due to a 'tie-with-sword'?
Does this also count if the knight falls unconscious?
Does this also count in a duel to the death where a cowardly knight throws his weapons away when he is just above his unconscious threshold ["I know you are too honourable to kill an unarmed knight.. hahahaha.. now I ride away"]

Personally I tend to interpret this as only when the knight has no weapons/armor to start with and did not wish a fight (like Lancelot killing his unarmed friends when rescuing Guinevere). Once a knight agrees to fight (however poorly armed) this penalty no longer applies, no matter what happens.

wfg,
Thijs

According rules: if you attack a knight who is unarmed you loose 1 honor [5th, page 76].


This is the kind of issue which CAN be complicated, first depending on WHEN it is done.
The universal acceptance of the knightly brotherhood begins with the Boy King Period. Before that, knights are just another kind of soldier whose only duty is to kill the enemy. This is ALWAYS the knight's first job. But when the big wars fade, and Tournaments replace Wars, then attitudes change and knights recognize their mutual equality. Knighthood takes on the aspects of a SPORT.

Once the attitude starts to change, then knights are either chivalrous or not. No one needs to be chivalrous, it is an option. If a knight is known for his chivalry (i.e.- he gets Glory for it) then he voluntarily takes on another set of rules of behavior--the equality of knights and nobles everywhere, along with a higher standard of behavior towards them.

They key to remember is that all knights are equal, and share more with each other than they do with commoners or clergy. They all share a knightly code.



Does this also count if the knight broke his weapon due to a 'tie-with-sword'?
Does this also count if the knight falls unconscious?


If the victor is chivalrous, yes, they ought to be spared.
If so, get a check to Honor.
If not, lose a point.



Does this also count in a duel to the death where a cowardly knight throws his weapons away when he is just above his unconscious threshold ["I know you are too honourable to kill an unarmed knight.. hahahaha.. now I ride away"]



Yes. His dishonorable behavior loses him points.
If you are chivalrous and attack him anyway, you lose Honor too.



Personally I tend to interpret this as only when the knight has no weapons/armor to start with and did not wish a fight (like Lancelot killing his unarmed friends when rescuing Guinevere). Once a knight agrees to fight (however poorly armed) this penalty no longer applies, no matter what happens.

The difference is chivalry.

So the rule ought to read:

For a Chivalrous Knight to attack an unarmed knight: 1

--g
I would say that

According rules: if you attack a knight who is unarmed you loose 1 honor [5th, page 76].


So the rule ought to read:

For a Chivalrous Knight to attack an unarmed knight: 1


That is a beautiful solution!
(will you put this on your homepage on honor?)

wfg,
Thijs