# Knight - Source: Simple English Wikipedia (simple.wikipedia.org), CC BY-SA 4.0, Simple English Wikipedia contributors - Reading level: Grades 6 to 8 - Subjects: History - Topics: knights, knight, armies, british, called, today - Length: 256 words, about 2 min - Published: 2006-11-16 - Original: - Page: - Open in Sprouts: ![](https://sprout.rootsofreason.org/media/simple-wikipedia-knight-simple-english-wikipedia-the-free-encyclopedia-b695229e49.jpg) Edward III granting the Black Prince the principality of Aquitaine A **knight** is a person who is given an honorary title of knighthood by a monarch, church, or country. During the Middle Ages, knights were professional heavy cavalry soldiers. Knights were the best soldiers in the kingdom. They fought for lords or nobles, and got land in return. They thought honour was very important, and they had a code of honour called chivalry. A knight usually had a coat of arms, also called an armorial achievement. Although they no longer fight as elite warriors, knights still exist. Today, King Charles III names Knights of the Commonwealth Realms. ## Knights in the Middle Ages Knights were first used in the 8th century in the late Roman armies.\[*citation needed*\] The era of the knights lasted until the 16th century. After that, national armies replaced feudal armies. Many knights were recruited as officers in the new armies. ## Knights today Modern-day Knights of the Commonwealth Realms are named by the British monarch, King Charles III. To knight a person, he taps their shoulders with the flat side of a sword during a ceremony. Bill Gates, Clint Eastwood, Michael Caine, Elton John, and George H.W. Bush have all been knighted. Some British orders of knighthood still exist, like the Order of the British Empire. Today, knights are called “Sir” followed by their first name. Many members of nobility are descended from knights. For example, Wijerd Jelckama is descended from a knight who died at the siege of Antioch in 1199. ## Picture credits - This file has been provided by the British Library from its digital collections. Links to the British Library's website may be broken as the library recovers from a October 2023 cyber attack, and will be updated once material becomes accessible online. For more information on the attack see: https:/, CC0 ()