Knight Bachelor

The dignity of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It refers to someone who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organized Orders of Chivalry. Knights Bachelor are the most ancient sort of British knight, existing during the reign of King Henry III, but they rank below members in the various orders. There is no female equivalent and women deserving an honour of this rank are appointed DBE instead.

Related Topics:
British honours system - Knight - Orders of Chivalry - King Henry III - DBE

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It is generally awarded for public service; amongst its recipients are all male judges of the High Court of England and Wales. Like other knights, Knights Bachelor are styled "Sir". Knights Bachelor are not entitled to use post-nominal letters after their name http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/ceremonial/honours/wear.asp, but "Kt" (note the lowercase 't', which distinguishes it from "KT", the post-nominals of a Knight of the Thistle) is sometimes used erroneously. When the style "Sir" is awkward due to a subsequent appointment as a life peer or baronet (for example, the Baronet Sir William Boulton) recipients are sometimes exceptionally given permission to use this form of shorthand to signify that they have the additional honour.

Related Topics:
High Court of England and Wales - Post-nominal - Knight of the Thistle - Baronet

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The Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor was founded for the maintenance and consolidation of the Dignity of Knights Bachelor in 1908, and obtained official recognition from the Sovereign in 1912. The Society keeps records of all Knights Bachelor, the interests of which its purpose is to maintain.

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Until 1926 Knights Bachelor had no insignia which they could wear, but in that year HM The King issued a Warrant authorising the wearing of a badge on all appropriate occasions. The Knights Bachelor badge may be worn on all appropriate occasions upon the left side of the coat or outer garment of those upon whom the degree of Knight Bachelor has been conferred. It measures 2 and three-eighths inches in length and 1 and three-eighths inches in width, is described as follows:

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?Upon an oval medallion of vermilion, enclosed by a scroll a cross-hilted sword belted and sheathed, pommel upwards, between two spurs, rowels upwards, the whole set about with the sword belt, all gilt?.

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In 1974 HM The Queen issued a further warrant authorising the wearing on appropriate occasions of a neck badge, slightly smaller in size, and in miniature. In 1988 a new certificate of authentication, a knight's only personal documentation, was designed by the College of Arms.

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