WELCOME to the Website of the Knights

Knighthood is the most ancient title of honour in the United Kingdom, its origin dating back to Saxon times. For many centuries, therefore, knights have knelt before their sovereign to receive the accolade and this tradition is continued by HM The Queen today who, as did her ancestors, touches with a sword the shoulders of those to be honoured.  The designation Knight Bachelor, used since the time of Henry III, comes probably from the Norman French battalere - one who fought on the battlefield.

Every June and December  in the Birthday Honours List and the New Year's Honours List, the names of men distinguished for their services to the community within the fields of the arts, medicine, law, education, commerce and  public service  are  announced. In the following months they will be summoned to Buckingham Palace, Holyrood in Scotland or Cardiff Castle in Wales to receive from The Queen (or sometimes HRH The Prince of Wales KG KT) the accolade and their insignia.

The Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor was founded in 1908 and received the title Imperial from King George V.  Many famous men have been members. Its charitable activity includes the support of the Chapel of the Knights in St Paul 's Cathedral in which the Society holds a Dedication Service each year.

Thus the Imperial Society maintains the link between the medieval and the modern spirit of knighthood.