Chapter Knights of Alcantara to Knights of the Dragon of K by Brewer's Readers Handbook

3. Another founded by the same emperor in 1470, to guard the frontiers of Bohemia and Hungary against the Turks.

4. St. George, generally called “Knights of the Garter” (q.v.).

5. An order in the old republic of Genoa.

6. The Teutonic knights were originally called “Knights of St. George.”

Knights of St. Jago, a Spanish order, instituted under pope Alexander III., the grand-master of which is next in rank to the sovereign. St. Jago or James (the Greater) is the patron saint of Spain.

Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. (See Knights of Malta, p. 579.)

Knights of St. Lazare, a religious and military order of Knights Hospitallers, established in the twelfth century, and confirmed by the pope in 1255. Their special mission was to take care of lepers. The name is derived from Lazarus the beggar who lay at the gate of Divês. The order was introduced into France under Louis VII., and was abolished in the first Revolution.

Knights of St. Magdalene, a French order, instituted by St. Louis (IX.), to suppress duels.

Knights of St. Maria de Mercede, a Spanish order, for the redemption of captives.

Knights of St. Michael the Archangel (Chevaliers de l’Ordre de St. Michel), a French order, instituted by Louis XI. in 1469. The king was at the head of the order. M. Bouillet says, “St. Michel est regardé comme le protecteur et l’ange tutélaire de la France.”

Knights of St. Patrick, instituted in 1783. The ruling sovereign of Great Britain and Ireland, and the lord-lieutenant of Ireland, are ex-offisio members of this order. The order is named after St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

Knights of St. Salvador, in Aragon, instituted by Alphonso I. in 1118.

Knights of Windsor, formerly called “Poor Knights of Windsor,” but now entitled “The Military Knights of Windsor,” a body of military pensioners, who have their residence within the precincts of Windsor Castle.

Knights of the Bath, an order of knighthood derived from the ancient Franks, and so termed because the members originally “bathed” before they performed their vigils. The last knights created in this ancient from were at the coronation of Charles II. in 1661.

G.C.B. stands for Grand Cross of the Bath (the first class); K.C.B. for Knight Commander of the Bath (the second class); and C.B. for Companion of the Bath (the third class).

Knights of the Blood of Our Saviour, an order of knighthood in Mantua, instituted by duke Vincent Gonçaga in 1608, on his marriage. It consisted of twenty Mantuan dukes. The name originated in the belief that in St. Andrew’s Church, Mantua, certain drops of our Saviour’s blood are preserved as a relic.

Knights of the Broom Flower (Chevaliers de l’Ordre de la Geneste), instituted by St. Louis (IX.) of France on his marriage. The collar was decorated with broom flowers, intermixed with fleurs de lys in gold. The motto was, Exaltat humilês.

Knights of the Carpet or Carpet Knights, i.e. non-military or civil knights, such as mayors, lawyers, authors, artists, physicians, and so on, who receive their knighthood kneeling on a carpet, and not in the tented field.