KNIGHTHOOD

The word knight is undoubtedly derived in its first origin from the root " to knit," or connect; from whence also the German knecht, slave or servant. The Anglo-Saxon cnicht bore the same meaning; and this etymology points to the primitive meaning of the institution of knighthood. This may be found in the usage recorded by Tacitus and other writers of the ancient Germans, among whom the kings and chiefs were attended in war and peace by a select body of faithful companions. Kings, and great thanes, and aldermen had each among the Anglo-Saxons their attendant cnichts or military servants, who owed them a species of fealty rather personal than territorial. But the order of knighthood, in the more recent sense of the word, was introduced among us from France. Among the Frencli and Germans, indeed, the order of knights was designated by another name — cfievalier or ritter, from their serving on horseback in battle, and holding a rank above the footmen. But the Norman chevalier so completely answered to the Saxon cnicht in the peculiar attribute of being personally attached to the military service of some chieftain, that the English appellation was soon in general use, as if to expre the same meaning conveyed by the French title, and by its Latin equivalent miles. The Saxons appear, indeed, to have occasionally practised, long before the Conquest, some ceremonies resembling those which became usual in later times on the creation of a knight; thus Alfred is said to have honoured Athelstan by the gift of a belt and robe, and girding him with a sword. Like most other" inquiries into the ancient usages of Europe, that into the origin of knighthood as an order, — that is, the period when the term miles or chevalier, instead of merely denoting the higher cla of military companions of a chief, came to signify one enjoying a definite rank in society and admitted by certain ceremonies, — is altogether inconclusive. It is said in general that knighthood had become an established institution in the 11th century; but that the characteristic which belonged to it in later times, that of being restricted to men of noble birth, did not become general until the fourteenth. The privilege of conferring knighthood seems to have belonged originally to the sovereign, and to have been retained as his prerogative in all European constitutions, altiiough frequently delegated to or usurped by high feudatories, generals of armies, .; although in later times, and when knighthood had a umed its peculiar romantic character, the most distinguished and valorous knights were allowed to confer it, and kings themselves sought for the distinction of knighthood at their hands. It was a prerogative of high value and importance; and we frequently find the states and other authorities in feudal sovereignties interfering to limit its exercise, especially before usage had absolutely restricted it to those of noble birth. It was common to create knights on various occasions. The most honourable species of knighthood was that conferred on the field and after a battle; but the more common fashion, especially in France, the parent country of chivalrous institutions, was to make knights when a battle was expected. Five hundred were created at once in the French army before the battle of Agin court. Some inconvenience attended this practice. For example, on one occasion in Flanders, in the 14th century, when two armies were ranged in battle order, on the eve of engagement, the French, according to their usual practice, created a great number of knights; but on the i'ollowing morning the forces separated without coming to action. A hare having been seen cro ing the space between the armies, the French knights made on that occasion received the nickname of Chevaliers du LiSvre. Knights were also created on other solemn occasions; as great festivals, coronations, princely marriages, . 629 KNIGHT, [s. 642]