Jump to content

Military Knights of Windsor: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°29′0″N 0°36′28″W / 51.48333°N 0.60778°W / 51.48333; -0.60778
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
fixed the fix
PublPul (talk | contribs)
→‎History: Additional historical information.
Line 7: Line 7:
== History ==
== History ==


The Military Knights of Windsor were constituted by [[King Edward III]] following the [[Battle of Crécy]], when many knights captured by the [[France|French]] were forced to liquidate their estates to raise [[ransom]] money in order to secure their release. Formerly called '''Alms Knights''' (until 1833) <ref>[http://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/about-st-georges/whos-who/military-knights.html College of St George]</ref> they were often informally described as the '''Poor Knights'''. At the original establishment of the [[Order of the Garter]], twenty-six were appointed and attached to the Order and its chapel at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. King [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]] halved their number to thirteen. At his restoration, King [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] increased the number to eighteen. King [[William IV of the United Kingdom|William IV]] renamed them the Military Knights of Windsor.
The Military Knights of Windsor were constituted by [[King Edward III]] following the [[Battle of Crécy]], when many knights captured by the [[France|French]] were forced to liquidate their estates to raise [[ransom]] money in order to secure their release. Formerly called '''Alms Knights''' (until 1833) <ref>[http://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/about-st-georges/whos-who/military-knights.html College of St George]</ref> they were often informally described as the '''Poor Knights'''. At the original establishment of the [[Order of the Garter]], Elizabeth re-founded the order in 1559<ref>http://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/about-st-georges/history/st-georges-timeline.html</ref>. At his restoration, King [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] increased the number to eighteen. King [[William IV of the United Kingdom|William IV]] renamed them the Military Knights of Windsor.


Poor Knights were originally impoverished [[military veteran]]s. They were required to pray daily for the [[Monarch|Sovereign]] and Knights Companions of the Order of the Garter; in return, they received a salary and were lodged in Windsor Castle. Today the Military Knights, who are no longer necessarily poor, but are still military pensioners, participate in the Order's processions, escorting the Knights and Ladies of the Garter, and in the daily services in St. George's Chapel. They are not members of the Order itself, nor are they automatically a knight of any [[chivalric order]].
Poor Knights were originally impoverished [[military veteran]]s. They were required to pray daily for the [[Monarch|Sovereign]] and Knights Companions of the Order of the Garter; in return, they received a salary and were lodged in Windsor Castle. Today the Military Knights, who are no longer necessarily poor, but are still military pensioners, participate in the Order's processions, escorting the Knights and Ladies of the Garter, and in the daily services in St. George's Chapel. They are not members of the Order itself, nor are they automatically a knight of any [[chivalric order]].

Revision as of 13:40, 18 January 2013

Military Knights of Windsor in the procession to the annual service of the Order of the Garter
"Poor Knights of Windsor" is also a name for eggy bread or French toast.

The Military Knights of Windsor are retired military officers who receive a pension and accommodation at Windsor Castle, and who provide support for the Order of the Garter and for the services of St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. They are commanded by a senior retired officer as Governor of the Military Knights of Windsor.

History

The Military Knights of Windsor were constituted by King Edward III following the Battle of Crécy, when many knights captured by the French were forced to liquidate their estates to raise ransom money in order to secure their release. Formerly called Alms Knights (until 1833) [1] they were often informally described as the Poor Knights. At the original establishment of the Order of the Garter, Elizabeth re-founded the order in 1559[2]. At his restoration, King Charles II increased the number to eighteen. King William IV renamed them the Military Knights of Windsor.

Poor Knights were originally impoverished military veterans. They were required to pray daily for the Sovereign and Knights Companions of the Order of the Garter; in return, they received a salary and were lodged in Windsor Castle. Today the Military Knights, who are no longer necessarily poor, but are still military pensioners, participate in the Order's processions, escorting the Knights and Ladies of the Garter, and in the daily services in St. George's Chapel. They are not members of the Order itself, nor are they automatically a knight of any chivalric order.

Media related to Military Knights of Windsor at Wikimedia Commons

References

51°29′0″N 0°36′28″W / 51.48333°N 0.60778°W / 51.48333; -0.60778