knight bachelor
Noun: 1. A knight of the lowest rank in the British honors system: A "knight bachelor" is a man who has been knighted by the monarch but does not belong to a specific, higher-ranking order of chivalry (such as the Order of the Garter). Historically, this was the oldest and most basic form of knighthood. 2. A knight entitled to bear arms but not a banner: Historically, a knight bachelor was distinguished from a knight banneret. While a knight banneret could lead men under his own square banner, a knight bachelor could only display a small, pointed flag called a pennon.
- Noun:
- After his services to the arts, he was made a knight bachelor in the New Year Honours list.
- In medieval times, a knight bachelor would ride into battle carrying his pennon.
- The term is often used in its official, titular sense within the context of the British monarchy and honors system. The plural form is "knights bachelor."
- The title "Sir" is used before the first name of a knight bachelor (e.g., Sir Paul McCartney is a knight bachelor).
- Knight banneret (n): A medieval knight of a higher rank who was entitled to bear a square banner, as opposed to a pennon.
- Knight (n): The broader term for a man granted an honorary title of knighthood for service to the monarch or country.
- Knight (in the general sense of one who holds the rank)
- Sir (as a form of address for one who holds this rank)
The term "knight bachelor" specifically denotes the rank itself, not the person's marital status ("bachelor" in this historical context does not mean "unmarried man"). It refers to the knight's status as an independent knight not belonging to a particular order.
- a knight of the lowest order; could display only a pennon