Knight

Althoughroots ofword knightconnected toOld English cniht, meaning page boy, or simply boy, or German knecht, or servant,ideasknighthoodarguably more closely tied toRoman equites.

Duringmiddle ages,term knight referred tomountedarmoured soldier. Originally, knights were warriors on horse-back, buttitle became increasingly connectednobilitysocial status, most likely because ofcostequipping oneself incavalry. Knighthood eventually becameformal title bestowed on those noblemen trainedactive war duty.

In theory, knighthood could be bestowed onman by any knight, butwas generally considered honorablebe dubbed knight byhand ofmonarch. By aboutlate 13th century, partlyconjunction withfocus on courtly behavior,codeconductuniformitydressknights beganevolve. Knights were eligiblewearwhite beltgolden spurs as signstheir status. Moreover, knights were also often requiredswear allegiance toliege lord.

A knight wasfollowstrict setrulesconduct. These wereknightly virtues. (Original knights had fewthese qualities. Whenchurch deemed knights too bloodthirstyunruly,intervenedbegan stressingimportancevirtues untilchurch became an integrated partknighthoodchivalry.) The virtues included:

Mercy (Towardspooroppressed. They were supposedbe harshevil-doers.)
Humility
Honor
Sacrifice
FearGod
Faithfulness
Courage
Utmost graciousnesscourtesyladies

These virtues became more idealized as time went on. Changesmilitary tactics, such assuccessful use oflongbow againstFrench cavalry inbattlesCrécy Agincourt lessenedimportance ofcavalry. (However,true end ofknight was brought about byusegunpowderguns.) In timespeace throughoutlater Middle Agesas late asend of16th century,role ofknight was promotedextolled through highly stylized tournaments that bore little resemblance tobloody warfarewhich"typical knight" had once participated. (Early tournaments were actually very similarwar. They originally included many participants battling each other at once inchaotic mock war, thoughlater evolved topopular, one-on-one jousting we all know.)

When eventournaments went outfashion, knighthood became lessless tiedwarfare,increasingly indicated social status.

Knighthoodsstill issued in:

The United Kingdom (see British honours system)some Commonwealth countries.
The Netherlands. The Dutch equivalent wordridder, e.g.,Ridderde Orde van Oranje–Nassau
Denmark - Dannebrogordenen (OrderDannebrog)
Malaysia - Datuk
The Holy See (see [1]).

Presumably thereother monarchies that also followpractice. Modern knighthoodstypically awardedrecognitionservices renderedsociety, services whichno longer necessarily martialnature. The musician Elton John,example,entitledcall himself Sir Elton. The female equivalent isDame.

Accompanyingtitle isgiven name,optionallysurname. But can never besurname andtitle alone. So, Elton John may be called Sir Elton or Sir Elton John, but never Sir John. Similarly, actress Judi Dench D.B.E may be addressed as Dame Judi or Dame Judi Dench, but never Dame Dench.