When and where did the term 'knight' first originate?

Answer 1

The word knight derives from Old English (Anglo-Saxon) cniht, meaning page boy or servant, which in turn was likely derived from German Knecht, which also meant boy or servant. The first knights were cavaliers (men who fought on horseback) sworn (by an oath called fealty) to the personal service of their liege-lord or king. In European languages other than English, the words used for "knight" relate to riding horses. For instance, in most Germanic languages knights are called Ritter or ridder (literally "rider"), in French they are called chevalier and in Spanish caballero, both of which derive from vulgar Latin caballus, meaning horse. Chivalry, another French word related to cavaliers, was the code of honor for knights, and chivalry entered the English language through a popular medieval French story called The Song of Roland, which was a heroic tale about the knights who served under Charlemagne.

Answer 2

Knights originally were mounted soldiers in service to a lord. They had superior equipment and armament, and were considered to be an elite fighting force. Knights were subservient to their lord, although some would eventually be elevated to a status of lesser nobility, allowing them to carry a family name, title and/or a piece of land.

Knights also eventually formed orders, where they would communally swear felty to a lord, ideal or a religious aspect. Examples of these are the Knights Templar, Knights Hospitaler and Teutonic Knights. Each order would have its own regalia, code and hierarchy.

The idea of 'chivalry', from which knights came, originated in northern Africa (St Maurice), according to some sources.

Answer 3

The Medieval Times.