Knight of the Tomb (The), Sir James Douglas, usually called “The Black Douglas.”—Sir W. Scott, Castle Dangerous.[Dangerous.] In the episode of Argalus and Parthenia in Sidney’s Arcadia. Parthenia, to avenge her husband’s death, disguises herself as “The Knight of the Tomb.”
Knight of the White Moon, the title assumed by Samson Carrasco, when he tilted with Don Quixote, on the condition that if the don were worsted in the encounter he should quit knight-errantry and live peaceably at home for twelve months.—Cervantes, Don Quixote, II. iv. 12-14 (1615).
Knight of the Woeful Countenance, Don Quixote de la Mancha.
Knight with Two Swords, Sir Balin, le Savage, brother of Sir Balan.—Sir T. Malory, History of Prince Arthur, i. 27, 33 (1470).
Knights. The three bravest of King Arthur’s knights were Sir Launcelot du Lac, Sir Tristram de Lionês or Lyonês and Sir Lamorake de Galis (i. e. Wales).—Sir T. Malory, History of Prince Arthur, i. 132 (1470).
⁂ The complement of the knights of the Round Table was 150 (ditto, i. 120). But in Lancelot of the Lake, ii. 81, they are said to have amounted to 250.
Knights (’Prentice), a secret society established to avenge the wrongs of apprentices on their “tyrant masters.” Mr. Sim Tappertit was captain of this “noble association,” and their meetings were held in a cellar in Stagg’s house, in the Barbican. The name was afterwards changed into “The United Bull-dogs,” and the members joined the anti-popery rout of Lord George Gordon.—C. Dickens, Barnaby Rudge, viii. (1841).
Knights of Alcan´tara, a military order of Spain, which took its name from the city of Alcantara, in Estremadura. These knights were previously called “Knights of the Pear Tree,” and subsequently “Knights of St. Julian.” The order was founded in 1156 for the defence of Estremadura against the Moors. In 1197 Pope Celestine III. raised it to the rank of a religious order of knighthood.
Knights of Calatra´va, a military order of Spain, instituted by Sancho III. of Castile. When Sancho took the strong fort of Calatrava from the Moors, he gave it to the Knights Templars, who, wanting courage to defend it, returned it to the king again. Then Don Reymond, of the Cistercian order, with several cavelleros of quality, volunteered to defend the fort, whereupon the king constituted them “Knights of Calatrava.”
Knights of Christian Charity, instituted by Henri III. of France, for the benefit of poor military officers and maimed soldiers. This order was founded at the same time as that of the “Holy Ghost,” which was meant for princes and men of distinction. The order was completed by Henri IV., and resembled our “Poor Knights of Windsor,” now called “The Military Knights of Windsor.”