[i.e. (?) of the whipping-post or pillory: see quots.] A notorious perjurer; one who got his living by giving false evidence; a false bail.
1580. E. Knight, Trial Truth, 39 b. Men,… who will not let to sweare vpon a booke,… beyng hyred therevnto for money … called … Knights of the poste, more fitter for the Gallowes, then to liue in a common wealth where Christ is professed.
1592. Chettle, Kinde-harts Dr. (1841), 11. A knight of the post, whome in times past I haue seen as highly promoted as the pillory.
1592. Nashe, P. Penilesse. A Knight of the Post,… a fellow that will sweare you any thing for twelve pence.
1597. E. S., Discov. Knights Post, B. Knightes of the Poste, Lords of lobs pound, and heires apparant to the pillory: who are ready to baile men out of prison.
1641. Brome, Joviall Crew, Wks. 1873, III. 366. He was taken up a Knight o’ the Post; and so he continued, till he was degraded at the whipping-post.
a. 1716. Blackall, Wks. (1723), I. 330. When once Men have by frequent use lost the reverence that is due to an Oath, they easily become Knights of the Post and may be hir’d to swear anything.
1772. Wesley, Wks. (1872), XI. 45. Does not the publisher … deserve to lose his ears more than a common knight of the post?
1819. R. Chapman, Jas. V., 132. They hired knights of the post, who were evidences against him.
