Chapter Knights of the Ermine to Kolao of K by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Knights of the Swan (Chevaliers de l’Ordre du Cygene), an order of knighthood founded in 1443 by the elector Frederick II. of Brandenburg, and restored in 1843 by Frederick William IV. of Prussia Its object is the relief of distress generally. The king of Prussia is grand-master. The motto is, Gott mit uns (“God be with you”); and the collar is of gold. The white swan is the badge of the house of Cleves (Westphalia).

Lord Berners has a novel called The Knight of the Swan (sixteenth century).

Knights of the Thistle, said to be founded by Archaicus king of the Scots in 809; revived in 1540 by James V. of Scotland; again in 1687 by James II. of Great Britain; and again by queen Anne, who placed the order on a permanent footing. The decoration consists of a collar of enamelled gold, composed of sixteen thistles interlaced with sprigs of rue, and a small golden image of St. Andrew within a circle. The motto is, Nemo me impune lacessit. The members are sometimes called “Knights of St. Andrew.”

The rue mixed with the thistles is a pun on the word “Andrew,” thistles And-rue.

(There was at one time a French “Order of the Thistle” in the house of Bourbon, with the same decoration and motto.)

Knights of the Virgin’s Looking-glass, an order instituted in 1410 by Ferdinand of Castile.

Knights Sword-bearers, founded in 1201 by bishop Meinhard, for the defence of Livonia. The last grand-master of the order was Gothard Kettler, created duke of Courland in 1561.

Knights Teutonic, originally called “Knights of St. George,” then “Knights of the Virgin Mary,” and lastly “Teutonic Knights of the Hospital of St. Mary the Virgin.” This order was instituted by Henry king of Jerusalem, in compliment to the German volunteers who accompanied Frederick Barbarossa on his crusade. The knights were soon afterwards placed under the tutelage of the Virgin, to whom a hospital for German pilgrims had been dedicated; and in 1191 pope Celestine III. confirmed the privileges, and changed the name to the “Teutonic Knights.” Abolished by Napoleon, 1809. It still has a titular existence in Austria.

Knighton, groom of the duke of Buckingham.—Sir W. Scott: Fortunes of Nigel (time, James I.).

Knockwinnock (Sybil), wife of sir Richard of the Redhand, and mother of Malcolm Misbegot.—Sir W. Scott: The Antiquary (time, George III.).

Knot (Gordian). (See Gordius, p. 438.)

Know. Not to know me argues yourselves unknown. The words of Satan to Zephon and Ithuriël, when they discovered him lurking in the garden of Eden.—Milton: Paradise Lost, iv. 830 (1665).

Knowledge (Finn’s Tooth of). According to old Celtic romances, Finn Mac Cumal (Fingal) had the gift of divination, which he could exercise at will by placing his thumb under one of his teeth. The legends say that he obtained the power from being the first to eat of the salmon of knowledge, which swam in the pool of Linn-Fec, in the Boyne. The process seems to have been attended with pain, so that it was only on very solemn and trying occasions Finn exercised the gift.

Kochlani, a race of Arabian horses, whose genealogy for 2000 years has been most strictly preserved. They are derived from Solomon’s studs. This race of horses can bear the greatest fatigue, can pass days without food, show undaunted courage in battle, and when their riders are slain will carry them from the field to a place of safety.—Niebuhr.

(The Kadischi is another celebrated race of horses, but not equal to the Kochlani.)

Koh-i-noor [“mountain of light”], a diamond once called “The Great Mogul.” Held in the fourteenth century by the rajah of Malwa. Later it fell into the hands of the sultans of Delhi, after their conquest of Malwa.