KNIGHTS BATCHELORS. THIS degree of honour is the most ancient, though the lowest Order of Knights in England. It was accounted the first of all military dignity, and the foundatic of all honours. The word Batchelor was added by King Henry the third, and fo ftyled, because this title of honour dies with the perfon to whom it is given, and defcends not to his pofterity. This title, which was anciently in high esteem, is now conferred indifcriminately upon Gownfmen, Phyficians, Burghers and Artifts, whereby the original inftitution is perverted, and is of lefs reputation than it hath been; it ftill is accounted a refpectable degree of honour both in England and foreign countries. A Knight may be made as foon as a child is bap tized; the ceremony now in ufe being no other than kneeling down before the King, who with a drawn. fword lightly touches him on the right shoulder, with thefe words, Sois chevalier au nom de Dieu; and then, Avancez, chevalier. A Knight must be named by both his Christian and furname (with Sir preceding) as Sir T—— LKnight. If a Knight be made a Nobleman, he still retains the name of Knight, and is to be fo ftyled in all writs. KNIGHTS |