A
knight () is a person granted an honorary
title of
knighthood by a
monarch or other political leader for service to the Monarch or country, especially in a military capacity. Historically, in Europe, knighthood has been conferred upon mounted warriors. During the
High Middle Ages, knighthood was considered a class of lower
nobility. By the
Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of
chivalry, a
code of conduct for the perfect
courtly Christian warrior. Often, a knight was a
vassal who served as a fighter for a lord, with payment in the form of land holdings. The lords trusted the knights, who were skilled in
battle on horseback. Since the
early modern period, the title of
knight is purely honorific, usually bestowed by a monarch, as in the
British honours system, often for non-military service to the country. The modern female equivalent is
Dame.
