Knight

In English law. The next personal dignity after the nobility. Of knights there are geveral orders and degrees. The first in rank are Knights of the Garter, instituted by Edward III. in 1344; next follows, a knight banneret; then come knights of the Bath, instituted by Henry IV., and revived by George I.; and they were so called from a custom of bathing the night before their creation. The last order are knights bachelors, who, though the lowest, are yet the most ancient, order of knighthood; for we find that King Alfred conferred this order upon his son Athelstan. 1 BI. Comm. 403. These are sometimes called "knights of the chamber," being such as are made in time of peace, and so called because knighted in the king's chamber, and not in the field. 2 Inst. 666. Of the more recently established orders are the knights of St. Michael and St. George, established in 1818, and the knights of St. Patrick, an Irish order instituted in 1763. These last have no rank in England. Knights were called equites, because they always served on horseback; aurati, from the gilt spurs they wore; and milites, because they formed the royal army, in virtue of their feudal tenures.

In English Law. The next personal dignity after the nobility. In the administration of royal justice, much of the work was formerly done by the knights; as for the more solemn, ancient, and decisive processes. To swear to a question of possession, free and lawful men were required, but to give the final and conclusive verdict about a matter of right, knights were necessary. In administrative law, therefore, knights were liable to special burdens, but in no other respect did he differ from the mere free man; 1 Poll. & Maltl. 394. Of knights there are several orders and degrees. The first in rank are knights of the Garter, Instituted by Edward III. In 1344; next follows, a knight banneret; then come knights of the Bath instituted by Henry IV., and revived by George I.; and they were so called from a custom of bathing the night before their creation. The other orders are the Thistle, St. Patrick, St. Michael and St. George, the Star of India, and the Indian Empire. The last order are knights bachelors, who, though the lowest, are yet the most ancient, order of knighthood; for we find that King Alfred conferred this order upon his son Athelstan. 1 Bla. Com. 403. These are sometimes called knights of the chamber, being such as are made in time of peace, and so called because knighted in the king’s chamber, and not in the field. Go. 2d Inst. 666. Knights were called equitea, because they always served on horseback; aurati, from the gilt spurs they wore; and nvi Utes, because they formed the royal army, in virtue of their feudal tenures. Knights have precedence next after baronets; the wife of a knight has the legal designation of Dame, for which Lady is usually substituted. Cent. Diet. See Babonet.

In English law. The next personal dignity after the nobility. Of knights there are several orders and degrees. The first in rank are knights of the Garter, instituted by Richard I. and improved by Edward III. in 1344; next follows a knight banneret; then come knights of the Bath, instituted by Henry IV., and revived by George I.; and they were so called from a ceremony of bathing the night before their creation. The last order are knights bachelors, who, though the lowest, are yet the most ancient, order of knighthood; for we find that King Alfred conferred this order upon hls son Athelstan. 1 Bl. Comm. 403.

— Knighthood. The rank, order, character, or dignity of a knight.

— Knight's fee. See Fee.

— Knights bachelors. In English law. The most ancient, though lowest, order of knighthood. 1 Bl. Comm. 404.

— Knights banneret. In English law. Those created by the sovereign in person on the field of battle. They rank, generally, after knights of the Garter. 1 BI. Comm. 403.

— Knights of St. Michael and St. George. An English order of knighthood, instituted in 1818.

— Knights of St. Patrick. Instituted in Ireland by George III., A. D. 1763. Thev have no rank in England.

— Knights of the Bath. An order instituted by Henry IV., and revived by George I. They are so called from the ceremony formerly observed of bathing the night before their creation.

— Knights of the chamber. Those created in the sovereign's chamber in time of peace, not in the field. 2 Inst. 666.

— Knights of the Garter. Otherwise called "Knights of the Order of St. George." This order was founded by Richard I., and improved by Edward III., A. D. 1344. They form the highest order of knights.

— Knights of the post. A term for hireling wiinesses.

— Knights of the shire. In English law. Members of parliament representing counties or shires, in contradistinction to citizens or burgesses, who represent boroughs or corporations. A knight of the shire is so calied, because, as the terms of the writ for election still require, it was formerly necessary that he should be a knight. This restriction was coeval with the tenure of knight-service, when every man who received a knight's fee immediately of the crown was constrained to be a knight; but at present any person may be chosen to fill the office who is not an alien. The money qualification is abolished by 21 Viet. c. 26. Wharton.

— Knights of the Thistle. A Scottish order of knighthood. This order is said to have been instituted by Achaius, king of Scotland, A. D. 819. The batter opinion, however, is that it was instituted by James V. in 1534. was revived by James VII. (James II. of England) in 1687, and reestablished by Queen Anne in 1703. They have no rank in England. Wharton.

In English law. The next personal dignity after the nobility. Of knights there are several orders and degrees. The first in rank are knights of the Garter, instituted by Richard L and improved by Edward III. in 13844; next follows a knight banneret; then come knights of the Bath, instituted by Ilenry LV., and revived by Georga I.; and they were so called from a ceremony of bathing the night before their creation. The last order are Knights bachelors, who, though the lowest, are yet the most ancient, order of knighthood; for we find that King Alfred conferred this order upon his son Athelstan. 1 Bl. Comm. 403. jurisdiction and cognizance of offenses commifted within the household and verge, and of all contracts made therein, a member of the household being one of the parties. Wharton.

See Feud.