What rules of behavior did the medieval code of courtly love prescribe for lovers?

In the context of medieval romance, the code of courtly love was a highly conventionalized system that dictated the behavior and emotions of lovers.12

The primary rule of this code was that the lover existed to serve his lady, often treating her with the reverence one might accord a saint. Because marriage during this period was typically a matter of business or power, the courtly lover’s devotion was almost invariably adulterous, existing outside the bounds of the marriage state.1

Key behavioral expectations included:
* Faithful Service: The lover was expected to provide absolute, unwavering service to his lady. Faithlessness was considered a mortal sin.1
* Idealized Adoration: Unlike the Ovidian lover, who sought sensual rewards, the courtly lover was driven by profound respect and idealistic devotion, influenced by contemporary religious practices and mystical philosophies.1
* Submission: The lover was expected to obey every demand of the heroine, even when those demands were unreasonable or imperious.1
* Emotional Turmoil: Lovers were often depicted as being in a state of constant tension, suspended between happiness and despair, frequently exhibiting outward signs of passion such as sleeplessness or trembling.1