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King Arthur draws the sword from the stone.

King Arthur

King Arthur draws the sword from the stone.

The wedding of Arthur and Guenevere in the great Cathedral at Canterbury.

Arthur and Guenevere

The wedding of Arthur and Guenevere in the great Cathedral at Canterbury.

Arthur is about to be slain by the great Knight Pellinore but as he raises his sword against Arthur, Merlin enchants Pellinore into a deep sleep. The magician then caught up the king and rode forth on the knight's horse saving him from danger.

Merlin Saves Arthur

Arthur is about to be slain by the great Knight Pellinore but as he raises his sword against Arthur,…

Enid watching over Geraint as he lay on his deathbed.

Enid Watching over Geraint

Enid watching over Geraint as he lay on his deathbed.

"A Knight Templar. During the Crusades, there were military and religious orders. Between the first and second crusades two peculiar military and religious orders were established. These were the Knights, Hospitalers, or Knights of St. John, and the Knights Templars. The Knights of St. John were organized originally to care for the sick and wounded among the crusaders and pilgrims to Jerusalem. They took the usual vows of monks, but to these were added vows of military service. They had thus a combined religious and military character, being fighting men as well as monks. The Knights Templars wre organized on a similar plan, but their original purpose had been to protect the pilgrims to the Holy Land. At a later date there was another of these orders established under the name of the Tentonic Knights. All three played an important part in the crusades, and they continued to exist long after the crusades were over."—Colby, 1899

Knight Templar

"A Knight Templar. During the Crusades, there were military and religious orders. Between the first…

A picture of the Crusades

Crusades

A picture of the Crusades

Mosque of Omar, kept by the Mohammedans during the Crusades.

Mosque of Omar

Mosque of Omar, kept by the Mohammedans during the Crusades.

"A tournament. The most famous amusement of the chivalrous age was the tournament, which took place in an open space surrounded by a balustrade or a rope, called the lists. It was a mimic combat between knights, who each tried to unhorse the other with his lance. The successful knight was hailed with shouts of applause from the spectators and received a prize from his mistress or the queen."—Colby, 1899

Tournament

"A tournament. The most famous amusement of the chivalrous age was the tournament, which took place…

"The Lance is a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, much used, particularly before the invention of firearms. It is a thrusting weapon used on foot, but chiefly on horseback. In the middle Ages the lance was held in the highest repute by knights and men-at-arms who formed the main strength of European armies."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Bedouin Lance Heads

"The Lance is a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, much used, particularly before…

"The Lance is a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, much used, particularly before the invention of firearms. It is a thrusting weapon used on foot, but chiefly on horseback. In the middle Ages the lance was held in the highest repute by knights and men-at-arms who formed the main strength of European armies."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Bedouin Lance Heads

"The Lance is a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, much used, particularly before…

A scene from the story, "The Lists at Ashby."

Ashby

A scene from the story, "The Lists at Ashby."

Leader of the Knights of Labor union.

Terrence V. Powderly

Leader of the Knights of Labor union.

Prominent among the Knights of Labor union.

T. B. Barry

Prominent among the Knights of Labor union.

Mrs. Rodgers was a delegate at the Knights of Labor convention at Richmond in 1887. She organized the first working women's union in Chicago and was president of the Eighth Ward Land League and also of the Daughters of Erin.

Elizabeth Rodgers

Mrs. Rodgers was a delegate at the Knights of Labor convention at Richmond in 1887. She organized the…

Scene from <em>The Tale of Ivanhoe</em>. "In the time of Richard I., the Saxons had not quite forgiven the Normans for conquering them. But Cedric the Saxon was very hospitable, and even Norman knights were welcome to his table, at which the beautiful figure of his ward, the Lady Rowena, was always to be seen in the place of honour. Cedric is here leading Rowena into the banqueting-hall." &mdash;Arthur Mee and Holland Thompson, 1912

Tale of Ivanhoe

Scene from The Tale of Ivanhoe. "In the time of Richard I., the Saxons had not quite forgiven…

Scene from <em>The Tale of Ivanhoe</em>. "Cedric's son had been sent away because he had fallen in love with Rowena, whom Cedric meant to be the wife of another. One day a pilgrim came to Cedric's table, where some Norman knights were. A Jew also arrived, and as the Normans meant to harm him, at night the pilgrim whispered in the ear of one of Cedric's men, who helped the Jew to escape." &mdash;Arthur Mee and Holland Thompson, 1912

Tale of Ivanhoe

Scene from The Tale of Ivanhoe. "Cedric's son had been sent away because he had fallen in love…

A scene from the story, <em>The Knights of the Silver Shield</em>.

The Knights of the Silver Shield

A scene from the story, The Knights of the Silver Shield.

A scene from the story, <em>The Knights of the Silver Shield</em>.

The Knights of the Silver Shield

A scene from the story, The Knights of the Silver Shield.

A scene from the story, <em>The Knights of the Silver Shield</em>.

The Knights of the Silver Shield

A scene from the story, The Knights of the Silver Shield.

A knight from the Middle Ages.

Knight

A knight from the Middle Ages.

Sir Percivale, the boy knight, from <em>King Arthur</em>.

Sir Percivale

Sir Percivale, the boy knight, from King Arthur.

Heavily armored knights engaged in battle.

Knights Armor

Heavily armored knights engaged in battle.

Two heavily armored knights on horseback shaking hands.

Two Knights

Two heavily armored knights on horseback shaking hands.

A ceremony of homage to the king in medieval times.

Ceremony of Homage

A ceremony of homage to the king in medieval times.

King's men on horses riding through town.

Knights on Horses

King's men on horses riding through town.

A decorative border with the King of France and al of his men.

King and Men

A decorative border with the King of France and al of his men.

"A tilting match between two knights." -Foster, 1921

Tilting Match

"A tilting match between two knights." -Foster, 1921

A poster of facts and illustrations of the age of feudalism and chivalry.

Feudalism and Chivalry

A poster of facts and illustrations of the age of feudalism and chivalry.

A print from the engraving, The King's Banquet from "Tristan" published by Antoine Verard.

The King's Banquet

A print from the engraving, The King's Banquet from "Tristan" published by Antoine Verard.

Horsemen, Three Abreast, with Banners, from the engraving 'The Triumphal Procession' by Hans Burgkmair.

Horsemen, Three Abreast, with Banners

Horsemen, Three Abreast, with Banners, from the engraving 'The Triumphal Procession' by Hans Burgkmair.

A group of knights on a quest for King Arthur to find Mabon, the son of Modron, who was stolen from his mother when only three nights old.

Knights

A group of knights on a quest for King Arthur to find Mabon, the son of Modron, who was stolen from…

Two knights overlooking the Severn River with Gloucester Castle in the background.

Knights

Two knights overlooking the Severn River with Gloucester Castle in the background.

The church was originally built by the Saxons around 960, then was adapted by the Normans when William de Braose granted it to the Knights Templar in the 12<sup><small>th</small></sup> century. The church later passed to the Knights Hospitaller in the 15<sup><small>th</small></sup> century.

Sompting Church Tower

The church was originally built by the Saxons around 960, then was adapted by the Normans when William…

It takes its origins from the Knights Hospitaller, an organization founded in Jerusalem in 1050 as an Amalfitan hospital to provide care for poor and sick pilgrims to the Holy Land. After the conquest of Jerusalem in 1099 during the First Crusade, it became a Catholic military order under its own charter. Following the loss of Christian territory to Islamic conquerors of the Holy Land, the Order operated from Rhodes (1310-1523), and later from Malta (1530-1798), over which it was sovereign.

A Knight of St. John

It takes its origins from the Knights Hospitaller, an organization founded in Jerusalem in 1050 as an…

An illustration of the Order of the Garter Star. The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry, or knighthood, originating in medieval England, and presently bestowed on recipients in any of the Commonwealth realms; it is the pinnacle of the honors system in the United Kingdom. Membership in the order is limited to the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than twenty-four members, or Companions; the order also comprises Supernumerary knights and ladies (e.g., members of the British Royal Family and foreign monarchs).

Order of the Garter Star

An illustration of the Order of the Garter Star. The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry,…

An illustration of the Order of the Garder's garter. The Garter is worn on ceremonial occasions around the left calf by knights and around the left arm by ladies, and is depicted on several insignia. The Garter is a buckled dark-blue (originally light-blue) velvet strap, and bears the motto in gold letters. The garters of Stranger Knights and Ladies were once set with several jewels.

Order of the Garter's Garter

An illustration of the Order of the Garder's garter. The Garter is worn on ceremonial occasions around…

The Elisabeth Church in Marburg was built by the Order of the Teutonic Knights in honor of Elisabeth of Hungary. Her tomb made the church an important pilgrimage destination in the late Middle Ages. The building is now a Protestant church.

Section of Elisabeth Church, Marburg, Germany

The Elisabeth Church in Marburg was built by the Order of the Teutonic Knights in honor of Elisabeth…

Krak des Chevaliers was the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades. It was expanded between 1150 and 1250 and eventually housed a garrison of 2,000. The inner curtain wall is up to 100 feet thick at the base on the south side, with seven guard towers 30 feet in diameter.

Krak des Chevaliers

Krak des Chevaliers was the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades. It was expanded…

The star of the Order of the Garter. "Order of the Garter, the highest order of knighthood in Great Britain, consisting of the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and twenty-four knights companions, and open, in addition, to such English princes and foreign sovereigns as may be chosen, and sometimes to extra companions chosen for special reasons, so that the whole order usually numbers about fifty." -Whitney, 1911

Order of the Garter Star

The star of the Order of the Garter. "Order of the Garter, the highest order of knighthood in Great…

The collar of the Order of the Garter. "Order of the Garter, the highest order of knighthood in Great Britain, consisting of the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and twenty-four knights companions, and open, in addition, to such English princes and foreign sovereigns as may be chosen, and sometimes to extra companions chosen for special reasons, so that the whole order usually numbers about fifty." -Whitney, 1911

Order of the Garter Collar

The collar of the Order of the Garter. "Order of the Garter, the highest order of knighthood in Great…

One of four standing medieval castles in Neckarsteinach, also known as "Vier Burgeneck" because of its four standing medieval castles, is a town in the Kreis Bergstraße, in Hesse, Germany. The town was originally called Steinach, when it received city rights in 1377 it was renamed Neckarsteinach. The Knights of Steinach, lived in the local castle at the time. Two of the castles are still occupied by residents, and the two others are in ruins.

Castle of Neckarsteinach

One of four standing medieval castles in Neckarsteinach, also known as "Vier Burgeneck" because of its…

An illustration of two knights on horses.

Knights on Horses

An illustration of two knights on horses.

An illustration of a group of knights in battle within sight of a castle.

Knights in Battle

An illustration of a group of knights in battle within sight of a castle.

What's in a name?

Knights of Labor

What's in a name?

"The canton is a square part of the escutcheon, usually occupying about one-eighth of the field; it is placed over the chief at the dexter side of the shield: it may be charged, and when this is the case, its size may be increased. The canton represents the banner of the ancient Knights Banneret. The canton in the example is marked A." -Hall, 1862

Canton Ordinary

"The canton is a square part of the escutcheon, usually occupying about one-eighth of the field; it…

"Argent, a chaplet proper. CHAPLET. An ancient ornament for the head, granted to gallant knights for acts of courtesy. It is frequently borne as a charge in a shield of arms, and always tinted in its natural colours." -Hall, 1862

Chaplet

"Argent, a chaplet proper. CHAPLET. An ancient ornament for the head, granted to gallant knights for…

"GARTER. The insignia of the most noble order of the knights of the garter. It is formed of blue velvet edged with gold wire, and lined with white satin; on the velvet is embroidered the motto of the order." -Hall, 1862

Garter

"GARTER. The insignia of the most noble order of the knights of the garter. It is formed of blue velvet…

"KNIGHTS-BANNERET. This ancient and honourable order has become extinct. It obtained the title of banneret from the knights having the right of having a square banner borne before them on the field of battle, and at jousts and tournaments." -Hall, 1862

Knights-Banneret

"KNIGHTS-BANNERET. This ancient and honourable order has become extinct. It obtained the title of banneret…

An illustration of a group of knights charging on horseback with lances.

Knights Charging with Lances

An illustration of a group of knights charging on horseback with lances.

An illustration of two knights jousting with lances, shields, and armor.

Two Knights Jousting with Lances

An illustration of two knights jousting with lances, shields, and armor.

The illustration shows two knights riding on horses. The knights and noblemen wore surcoats to hide the type of armor worn.

Knights and Noblemen on Horses Wearing Armor

The illustration shows two knights riding on horses. The knights and noblemen wore surcoats to hide…

Sirs John de Creke and John of Eltham wearing armor during the fourteenth century. The illustration shows the extra armor worn by knights and noblemen underneath the surcoats.

Sirs John de Creke and John of Eltham Wearing Armor

Sirs John de Creke and John of Eltham wearing armor during the fourteenth century. The illustration…

An illustration of fourteenth century tournament of knights wearing armor from Romance of King Maliadus manuscript. A tournament is when there are three or more knights fighting on the course, whereas a joust is only two are fighting.

Knight Tournament from Romance of King Meliadus

An illustration of fourteenth century tournament of knights wearing armor from Romance of King Maliadus…

"Then came Lord Cathcart upon a powerful horse. He was chief of the knights. Two negro slaves wearing white breeches and blue sashes, with large silver clasps around their necks, help his stirrups."&mdash;Coffin, 1879

Captain Cathcart

"Then came Lord Cathcart upon a powerful horse. He was chief of the knights. Two negro slaves wearing…

"The Helm of Baronet and Knights is of steel, garnished with silver, and standing affront&eacute;; the vizor is raised, and without bars."&mdash;Aveling, 1891

Helm of Baronet

"The Helm of Baronet and Knights is of steel, garnished with silver, and standing affronté; the…

"This Order was instituted by Her Majesty the Queen, in the year 1861, for bestowing honor upon the people of her Indian Empire. The Order consists of the Sovereign, a Grand Master, always to be Governor-General of India, and twenty-five Knights, with such Honorary Knights as the Crown may appoint. The Knights are to include both Naval, Military, and Civil officers, and natives of India."&mdash;Aveling, 1891

Insignia of the Order of the Star of India

"This Order was instituted by Her Majesty the Queen, in the year 1861, for bestowing honor upon the…

Ailettes - appendages of armor worn by knights during the 13th century.

Ailettes

Ailettes - appendages of armor worn by knights during the 13th century.