Knight
In Medieval times, a knight was a mounted warrior in the service of a Lord. The word 'knight' is derived from the German word 'knecht', which means 'servant'.
In later periods, being made a knight was a great honour. A knight's behaviour, both in battle and normal life, was guided by a code of conduct.
In classical chivalry, the knight was accompanied by a squire, a page and a man-at-arms, the whole then being known as a lance. From this comes the phrase free-lance, meaning a lance which was not in fealty to a superior lord.
A knight was, in general, in command only of his own lance, and took orders from a marshall. A number of knights were reckoned to be sufficiently experienced to command other knights: they did so as the marshall's delegate. If a knight rose sufficiently to be viewed as capable of being given a command of his own, it was customary then to make him a knight-banneret -- he was then allowed his own small banner, with his arms upon it, to fly before his sub-division of the army.
In some countries knighthood also indicated that one was of noble birth. In other countries (such as England), the title was not hereditary.
See Also:
Knights in the SCA
The SCA has a polling order of peerage that is the Order of Chivalry. Only members of this order are considered knights. SCA knights can be male or female but must swear fealty to the Crown. If a member is invited to become a member of the order but won't swear fealty, then they are considered a Master or Mistress at Arms not a knight.
A white belt is officially reserved for use by knights but most will also wear a fealty chain.
Alternate Titles
The SCA recognises the following alternate titles in other languages as equivalent to Knight:
| Language | Alternate Form of Knight | Alternate Form of Sir |
|---|---|---|
| Albanian | Kreshnik | Zotni |
| Arabic | Faris[a] | -- |
| Catalan | Cavaller | Senyor |
| Czech | Ryti | Lord |
| Danish | Ridder | Herre |
| Dutch | Ridder | Mijnheer |
| Estonian | Rüütel | Söör |
| Finnish | Ritari | Ritari |
| French | Chevalier | Sieur |
| German | Ritter | Sir |
| Greek | Strâtiotes | Hippôtes / Kûrios |
| Hebrew | Parash[a] | Sair[ah] |
| Hungarian | Lovag | Ür (Uram) |
| Icelandic | Riddari | Herra |
| Irish Gaelic | Ridire | Sior / An ridire |
| Italian | Cavaliere | Sir |
| Latin | Miles | Eques |
| Middle Norwegian | Riddari | Herre |
| Old English | Cniht / Ridda | -- |
| Old Norse | Riddari | Riddari |
| Polish | Rycerz | Pan[i] |
| Portuguese | Cavaleiro | Cavaleiro |
| Romanian | Cavaler | Domnule |
| Russian | Rytsar | -- |
| Scots Gaelic | Ridire | a Shir / Shair |
| Spanish | Caballero | Don (Dona) |
| Swedish | Riddare | Herr |
| Turkish | Sövalye | Sör |
| Welsh | Marchog[es] / Cyfurdd / Dyl(y)edog / Pendefig |
Syr |
