Knights of St. Michael the Archangel (Chevaliers de l’Ordre de St. Michel), a French order, instituted by Louis XI. in 1469. The king was at the head of the order. M. Bouillet says: “St. Michel est regardé comme le protecteur et l’ange tutélaire de la France.”
Knights of St. Patrick, instituted in 1783. The ruling sovereign of Great Britain and Ireland, and the lord-lieutenant of Ireland, are ex-officio members of this order. The order is named after St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
Knights of St. Salvador, in Aragon, instituted by Alphonso I. in 1118.
Knights of Windsor, formerly called “Poor Knights of Windsor,” but now entitled “The Military Knights of Windsor,” a body of military pensioners, who have their residence within the precincts of Windsor Castle.
Knights of the Bath, an order of knighthood derived from the ancient Franks, and so termed because the members originally “bathed” before they performed their vigils. The last knights created in this ancient form were at the coronation of Charles II., in 1661.
G. C. B. stands for Grand Cross of the Bath (the first class); K. C. B. for Knight Commander of the Bath (the second class); and C. B. for Companion of the Bath (the third class).
Knights of the Blood of Our Saviour, an order of knighthood in Mantua, instituted by Duke Vincent Gonzaga, in 1608, on his marriage. It consisted of twenty Mantuan dukes. The name originated in the belief that in St. Andrew’s Church, Mantua, certain drops of our Saviour’s blood are preserved as a relic.
Knights of the Broom Flower (Chevaliers de l’Ordre de la Geneste), instituted by St. Louis (IX.) of France, on his marriage. The collar was decorated with broom flowers, intermixed with fleurs de lys in gold. The motto was Exaltat Humĭlês.
Knights of the Carpet or Carpet Knights, i. e. non-military or civil knights, such as mayors, lawyers, authors, artists, physicians, and so on, who receive their knighthood kneeling on a carpet, and not in the tented field.
Knights of the Chamber or Chamber Knights, knights bachelors made in times of peace in the presence chamber, and not in the camp. These are always military men, and therefore differ from “Carpet Knights,” who are always civilians.