Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, an order of knighthood founded by St. Hel´ena, when she visited Jerusalem, at the age of 80, and found (as it is said) the cross on which Christ was crucified, in a cavern under the temple of Venus, A. D. 328. This order was confirmed by Pope Pascal II. in 1114.
Knights of the Lily, an order of knighthood in Navarre, founded by Garcia, in 1048.
Knights of the Order of Fools, established November, 1381, and continued to the beginning of the sixteenth century. The insignia was a jester or fool embroidered on the left side of their mantles, cap and bells, yellow stockings, a cup of fruit in the right hand, and a gold key in the left. It resembled the “Odd Fellows” of more modern times.
Knights of the Porcupine (Chevaliers de l’Ordre du Porcépic), a French order of knighthood. The original motto was Cominus et eminus, changed by Louis XII. into Ultus avos Trojæ.
Knights of the Red Staff, an order instituted by Alfonso XI. of Castile and Leon, in 1330.
Knights of the Round Table. King Arthur’s knights were so called, because they sat with him at a round table made by Merlin, for King Leodegraunce. This king gave it to Arthur on his marriage with Guinever, his daughter. It contained seats for 150 knights, 100 of which King Leodegraunce furnished when he sent the table.
Knights of the Shell. The argonauts of St. Nicholas were so called from the shells worked on the collar of the order.
Knights of the Ship, an order of knighthood founded by St. Louis IX., of France, in his expedition to Egypt.
Knights of the Star (Chevaliers de l’Ordre de l’Etoile), an ancient order of knighthood in France. The motto of the order was Monstrant regibus astra viam.
Knights of the Swan (Chevalier de l’Ordre du Cygne), an order of knighthood founded in 1443 by the elector Frederick II., of Brandenburg, and restored in 1843 by Frederick William IV., of Prussia. Its object is the relief of distress generally. The king of Prussia is grand-master. The motto is Gott mit uns (“God be with you”); and the collar is of gold. The white swan is the badge of the house of Cleves (Westphalia).