Chapter Knights Errant to Knot of K by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Knights of the Pestle or Knights of the Pestle and Mortar. Apothecaries or druggists, whose chief instrument is the pestle and mortar, used in compounding medicines.

Knights o' the Post Persons who haunted the purlieus of the courts, ready to be hired for a bribe to swear anything; so called from their being always found waiting at the posts which the sheriffs set up outside their doors for posting proclamations on.

“There are knights of the post and booby cheats enough to swear the truth of the broadest contradictions.”- South.

“ `A knight of the post,' quoth he, `for so I am termed; a fellow that will sweare you anything for twelve pence.' ”- Nash: Pierce Penilesse (1592.)

Knights of the Rainbow Flunkeys; so called from their gorgeous liveries.

“The servants who attended them contradicted the inferences to be drawn from the garb of their masters; and, according to the custom of the knights of the rainbow, gave many hints that they were not people to serve any but men of first-rate consequence.”- Sir W. Scott: Redgauntlet, chap. 20

Knights of the Road Footpads. (See Knights O' The Post. )

Knights of the Round Table King Arthur's knights, so called from the large circular table round which they sat. The table was circular to prevent any heart-sore about precedency. The number of these knights is variously given. The popular notion is that they were twelve; several authorities say there were forty; but the History of Prince Arthur states that the table was made to accommodate 150. King Leodegraunce, who gave Arthur the table on his wedding-day, sent him also 100 knights, Merlin furnished twentyeight, Arthur himself added two, and twenty “sieges” were left to reward merit (chaps. xlv., xlvi.). These knights went forth into all countries in quest of adventures. The most noted are-
   Sir Acolon, Ballamore, Beaumaris, Beleobus, Belvoure, Bersunt, Bors, Ector, Eric, Ewain, Floll, Gaheris, Galahad, Galohalt, Gareth, Gauriel, Gawain or Ywain, Grislet, Kay, Lamerock, Launcelot du Lac, Lionell, Marhaus, Palamide, Paquinet, Pelleas, Peredur or Perceval, Sagris, Superabilis, Tor, Tristam or Tristan de Leonnais, Turquine, Wigalois, Wigamur, etc., etc.
    A list of the knights and a description of their armour is given in the Theatre of Honour by Andrew Fairne (1622). According to this list, the number was 151; but in Lancelot of the Lake (vol. ii. p. 81), they are said to have amounted to 250.

Knights of the Shears Tailors. The word Shear is a play on the word shire or county.

Knights of the Shell The Argonauts of St. Nicholas, a military order, instituted in the 14th century by Carlo III., King of Naples. Their insignia was a “collar of shells.”

Knights of the Shire Now called County Members: that is, members of Parliament elected by counties, in contradistinction to Borough members.

Knights of the Spigot Landlords of hotels, etc.; mine host is a “knight of the spigot.”

“When an old song comes across us merry old knights of the spigot it runs away with our discretion.”- Sir W. Scott: Kenilworth, chap. viii.

Knights of the Swan An order of the House of Cleve.

Knights of the Stick Compositors. The stick is the printer's “composing stick,” which he holds in his left hand while with his right hand he fills it with letters from his “case.” It holds just enough type not to fatigue the hand of the compositor, and when full, the type is transferred to the “galley.”

Knights of the Thistle Said to have been established in 809 by Achaicus, King of the Scots, and revived in 1540 by James V. of Scotland. Queen Anne placed the order on a permanent footing. These knights are sometimes called Knights of St. Andrew.

Knights of the Whip Coachmen.