Why the Knight was the most important character among all presented by Chaucer ?

Character Sketch of The Knight - From The Canterbury Tales By Chaucer 

The Knight stands at the top of the social hierarchy in this group. He is a virtuous character providing an ethical standard against which the other charters may be judged.

The Knight was a worthy or brave man. He was, indeed, a great warrior. He participated in many military operations. He had traveled everywhere in order to fight. He had always been honored for his bravery. Many times, he had sat at the head of the table as the most distinguished person among those of various nations. He had fought at Alexandria, in Lithuania, in Russia, In Grenada, and at several Places. Many of the battles in which he had participated were fought in defense of the Christian faith. Several times, he had fought in single combat and had killed his adversary any time.

Although his military velour was this Knight’s most striking quality, he possessed certain other admirable virtuous also. He was not the only rave, but also wise; he had loved chivalry, truth, honor, and courtesy from an early time in his career. He greatly valued the quality of generosity. Inspired by such grand virtues in his character, he was as modest as a maiden was. He had never uttered any foul words in all his life. He was truly a perfect, gentle knight.

As for his clothes and equipment, this knight had fine horses, though he did not wear gaudy apparel. He wore a doublet of coarse cloth which, t the time of his setting out on his pilgrimage was all soiled by is his coat of mail, because he had recently returned from a voyage of adventure.

Chaucer has presented the Knight as a real representative of the code of conduct, which prevailed in those days among knights; knights were required to be wise, provident, just, and pure. They were expected to serve Christianity against the infidels and the barbarians. They were not only champions of the church, but also protectors of the weak, and Exemplars of moral virtues. There is no doubt that Chaucer’s Knight fulfills all these conditions. We might say that Chaucer gives us an Idealized portrait in the case of the Knight.