Reference

During the 19th century, the process of creating Knights Bachelor involved a formal but simpler ceremony compared to earlier, more elaborate rituals. Here are the key steps involved in the process:

1. Nomination and Approval: Candidates for knighthood were typically nominated by influential figures or as a recognition of service. The final approval for knighthood had to come from the monarch.

2. Kneeling before the Sovereign: The individual to be knighted (referred to as the knight-elect) would kneel on a special knighting stool in front of the sovereign.

3. The Accolade: The sovereign would then perform the accolade— an essential part of the ceremony where a sword is lightly touched on the knight-elect's shoulders. The sword's blade would often be laid first on the knight’s right shoulder and then on the left, accompanied by the words: "Arise, Sir [First Name]."

4. Presentation of Insignia: The new knight would then receive insignia that signified their new status. This might include a medal, badge, or other symbol of the Order they were being admitted into, if applicable. However, Knights Bachelor did not belong to an order, so the insignia could vary.

5. Public Announcement: Following the ceremony, the creation of the new knight would be made public, often through official publications or announcements.

The entire process emphasized the monarch's direct conferral of honor and the knight's commitment to service.

Here are some illustrative images related to the knighting ceremony and the insignia associated with it:

Historical illustration depicting the knighting ceremony.

Example of the insignia associated with Knights Bachelor.

For additional historical insights, you can refer to:

• Wikipedia on Knights Bachelor
• Royal Collection Trust on the Knighting Stool
• Encyclopaedia Britannica on Knight Bachelor

These sources provide comprehensive details about the traditions and evolution of the knighthood process.