Knight, James (2), a Congregational minister, was born at Ilalitax, Yorlishire, England, July 10,1709, and was educated for the ministry at Homerton College, where he is said to have made rapid attainments in Bib- lical science. Upon his graduation he was called to the Church in Collierskents, Southwark, where he was or- dained in 1791. In 1833 he resigned his pastorate there, after a foitlifid and successful service. He was one of the founders of the London j\Iissionary Society. IMr. Knight's sermons, some of which have been published, were celebrated for their sacred unction, and their thor- ough and searching appeals to the conscience. His em- inent piety was both the strength and ornament of his character. He knew how not only to discuss a subject with logical precision, but also to infuse into it the si)ir- it of vital evangelical piety. See Morison, Missionuru Fathers.
Knight, Joel Abraham, a INIethodist minister, was born at Hull.Yorkshire, England, April 23, 1754; was ordained at Spatields Chapel, London, jSIarch 9, 1783, where he was also appointed master of the charity school and assistant preacher. In 1788 he preached at Pentouville Chapel, and in 1789 became pastor of the Tabernacle and Tottenham Court chapels, London, a po- sition which he occupied until his death, April 22, 1808. Mr. Knight was a zealous worker in the formation and proceedings of the London jNIissionary Society in 1795. His sermons, some of which were published ii» London in 1788-9, were always richly imbued with the distin- guishing doctrines of evangeiical Christianity, but they especially taught that " the cordial reception of the doc- trine of salvation by grace must necessarily produce obedience to the law of God." In speech he was inva- riably chaste, and in manner affectionate and pathetic. — Morison, Missionary Fathers. (H. C. W.)
Knight, Samuel, D.D., an English divine of note, was born in London in 1075, and was educated at St. Paul's School and at Trinity College, Cambridge. He first became chaplain to Edward, earl of Oxford, and was by him presented to the rectory of Borough-green, in Cambridgeshire, in 1707; was made prebendary of Ely and rector of Bluntcshan\ (Huntingdonshire) in 1714; became chaplain to (ieorge II in 1730, and was promoted to the archdeaconry of Berks in 1735. He died Dec. 10, 1746. Between the years 1721 and 1738 he published several of his Sermom. He also wrote Life of Dr. John, Coles, Dean ofSt.PanVs (London, 1724, 8vo; new edit. Oxford, 1823,"8vo) -.—Life ofFrasmus (Cambridge, 1726, 8vo).—GP7ieird Biny. Diet, viii, 40 sq. ; Allibone, Diet, of Fnyl. and A mer. A nthors, vol. ii, s. v.
Knighthood, the condition, honor, and rank of a knight, also the service due from a knight, and the ten- ure of land by such service. In a secondary sense, the word is employed to denote the class of knights — the aggregate body of any particidar knightly association; the institution itself, and the spirit of the institution. In these remoter meanings it becomes identical with Chiv(dry, and it is in this point of view that it ivill principally be considered here. The term is one of various significance, and is, therefore, apt for ambigu- ities; it is one whose applications were of gradual de- velopment, and which is, accordingly, of diverse histor- ical import. Its explanation is thus necessarily intri- cate and midtifarious, and care is requisite to avoid confounding different things, or different phases of the same thing, under the single common name. Neglect of this precaution has occasioned much of the extrava-
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gance and complexity which are noticeable in specula- tions on this subject.
A kniijht under the feudal system — miles in the La- tinity of feudal jurisprudence— was one holduig land by military service {sercilium militare), with horse, and shield, and lance, and armor cap-a-pie (Blackstone, Com- mentaries!, ii, G2-3). Knighthood in this application cor- responds closely witli the French designation checalerie, and its consideration is inextricably intertwined with that of chivalry.
The characteristics of knighthood have undergone many modifications in the lapse of long centuries. The lord mayor of London is knighted for the presentation of an address to the sovereign, and JMichacl Faraday is deservedly made an officer of the Legion of Honor for chemical and other scientific discoveries; but in the main conccjition and strict usage of the term knight- hood, liege service in war is implied.
"A kniirht ther was, and that a worthy man, That from the tyme that he ferst bigau To ryden out, he lovede chyvah-ye, Troulhe and honour, f'redom and curfesye. Ful worthi was he hi his lordes werre. And therto had he riden, uoman ferre, As wel in Cristendom as in hethenesse, Aud ever honoured for his worthinesse.''
Tlic character of knighthood, however, as distinguish- ed from the mere tenure of land by knight-service, was entirely personal, and hence it is conferred and attaches only for life, and is not descendible by inheritance. It cannot be assumed by one's own act, but must be be- stowed by another of knightly or of superior rank. The knight's estate was held by knight-service, or chivaliy, and the heir at full age was entitled and could be com- pelled to receive knighthood. Compulsory writs for the latter purpose were frequently issued from the proper courts. But, until the dignity w^as conferred, the as- pirant was no knight. ISLiny entitled to claim the dig- nity declined to do so, though holding land by knightl}' tenure, because unable to bear the ex,)enses incident to the rank. Hence arose the old adage: ^' Bon escuijer vault mieiilx que pauvn chei'alier." But the reality or the obligation of jjcrsonal military service was always entailed by knighthood.