KNIGHT. In English Law. The next per sonal 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 ques tion 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. & Maitl. 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 Hen ry IV., and revived by George I.; and they were so called from a custom of bathing the night before their creation. The other or ders 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 or der upon his son Athelstan. 1 Bla. Corn. 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. Co. 2d Inst. 666. Knights were called equi tes, because they always served on horse back ; aurati, from the gilt spurs they wore; and milites, because they formed the royal army, in virtue of their feudal tenures.
Knights have precedence next after baron ets; the wife of a knight has the legal desig nation of Dame, for which Lady is usually substituted. Cent. Dict.
See BARONET.