KNIGHTHOOD, the order or frater nity of knights. The order of knight hood, as now existing, appears to have originated in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and it was introduced into England from France. It was is military institution, lath there appears to have been something of a religious character belonging to it, and the order of knight hood, like the orders of the clergy, could he conferred only by persons who were themselves members of the order In early times some knights undertook the protection of pilgrims ; others were vow ed to the defence or recovery of the holy sepulchre ; others roved about as knights-errant, seeking adventures. It was common to create knights on various occasions. The most honorable species of knighthood was that conferred on the field and after a battle ; but the more common fashion, especially in France, was to make knights when a battle was expected. In the age of chivalry, the youth who aspired to the honor of knighthood, was first educated, in general, as 11, page attached to the family, and especially to the ladies of some noble house, during which period he was also trained to the nse of arms, riding, .f:e. When properly qualified for arms ho be came nn esquire, or squire, in which capacity ho attended on sonic) knight, and was his shield-bearer. The third, and highest rank of chivalry, was that of knighthood, which was not conferred be fore the twenty-first year, except in the case of distinguished birth or great achievements. The candidate, when the order was conferred with full solemnity, had to go through various imposing pre liminary ceremonies, and was then ad mitted with religious rites. Knighthood was conferred by the accolade, from the derivation of the name, should appear to have been originally an em brace, but afterwards consisted, as it stall does, in a blow of the flat of a sword on the neck of the kneeling candidate. The oath of knighthood was previously ad ministered. Knighthood is now conferred in England by the king, (or queen when the throne is tilled by a. female,) by sim ple verbal declaration, attended with a slight form, without any patent or other written instrument. It gives to the party precedence over esquires and other un titled gentlemen. Sir is prefixed to the
baptismal name of knights and baronets, and their wives have the legal designation of Dims e, which is ordinarily converted into Lady The chief distinction of rank whirls subsisted bet ween knights in France and England, was that of knights bache lors, and knights bannerets. The knight bachelor was of the lower order, and tained his limier without any reference lo a qualification of property, and many of this rank were mere adventurers, who offered their services in war to any suc cessful leader. The knight batmeret was One who possessed fiefs to a considerable amount, and was obliged to serve in war with a greater attendance, and carried a banner. The orders of knighthood are of two classes ; either they are assoeia tions, or fraternities, possessing proper ty and rights of their own, as indepen dent bodies, or they are merely honorary associations, established by sovereigns within their respective dominions. 'To the former class belonged the three cele brated religious orders founded during the Crusaires—Templars, and Teutonic Knights. The other class, consisting of orders merely titular, em braces most of the existing European orders ; such as the order of the Golden Fleece, the order of the Holy Ghost, the order of St. Michael. The three great British orders are the Garter, the Thistle, and St. Patrick. The Garter is the most ancient and illustrious of the three. It was founded by Edward the Third. The knights, twenty-five in number, are the most eminent persons of the English na tion, together with many illustrious for chiefly sovereign princes. The order of the Thistle was instituted in 1540, by James the Fifth of Scotland. The number of knights is sixteen, all of wheat are nobility of Scotland. The or der of St. Patrick was instituted in 1783. The number of knights is twenty-two who are peers of Ireland. The order of the Bath differs in some respects from those spoken of. It is now composed of three classes, military, and civil knights, grand crosses, knights commanders, and knights companions. All these orders have particular badges. There are also knights of the Guelphie order, knights of the Ionian order, of St. Michael and St. George.