Knighthood. Originally a military distinction, came, in the 16th century, to be occasionally conferred on civilians, as a reward for valuable services rendered to the crown or community. The first civil knight in England was Sir William Walworth, lord mayor of London, who won that distinction by slaying the rebel Wat Tyler in presence of the king. In recent times, it has been bestowed at least as often on scholars, lawyers, artists, or citizens, as on soldiers, and in many cases for no weightier service than carrying a congratulatory address to court.
Knighthood. The character, dignity, or condition of a knight.
Knightliness. Duties of a knight.
Knightly. Pertaining to a knight; becoming a knight; as, a knightly combat.
Knights, Military. An institution of military knights at Windsor, England, formerly called “Poor Knights,” which owes its origin to Edward III., and is a provision for a limited number of old officers. These officers consist of a governor and 12 knights on the upper foundation, and 5 on the lower, together 18, and are composed of officers selected from every grade, from a colonel to a subaltern, chiefly veterans, or on half-pay. They are allowed three rooms each in Windsor Palace, and 2 shillings per diem for their sustenance, besides other small allowances.
Knights of St. George. See [Garter, Order of the].
Knights Templar. See [Templar, Knights].
Knight-service. A tenure of lands held by knights on condition of performing military service. It was abolished in the time of Charles II. of England.
Knob of a Cascabel. See [Cascabel].
Knot. A twist or loop in a rope or cord, so made that the motion of one piece of the line over the other shall be stopped. The knot owes its power of passive resistance to the friction of the rope. The three elementary knots, which every one should know, are the timber-hitch, the bow-line, and the clove-hitch.