Knight Bachelor

Knights bachelor derive their income directly from their lord, either through direct maintenance or by cash payments. (The word bachelor derives from bas chevalier, or “low knight.” It has come to be associated with unmarried men because bachelor knights were generally not rich enough to support a wife.)
Knights bachelor are also called “household knights” because they live in their lord’s household, not on their own land. They are his bodyguard and standing army, and travel wherever their lord takes them. Their loyalty is crucial to the lord’s success, perhaps even to his survival, so they are usually treated well and receive great honor.
A knight bachelor may bear a pennocelle (a small pennant) upon his lance to distinguish his rank from mercenary knights and commoners, who wear no decoration.

Type

Nobility, Military

Form of Address

Sir

Alternative Naming

Household Knight

Related Organizations

• Feudal Ranks