Obs. Also kniht-, kniȝt-, etc. (see KNIGHT sb.); 4 -ed(e, 5–6 Sc. -heid. [f. KNIGHT sb. + -HEAD. Cf. next.]
1. The rank of a knight: = KNIGHTHOOD 2.
c. 1325. Metr. Hom., 139. A kniht That thoru kind was bond and thralle Bot knihthed gat he wit catelle.
c. 1475. Rauf Coilȝear, 960. Schir Rauf gat rewaird to keip his Knichtheid.
1500–20. Dunbar, Turnament, 56. To comfort him, or he raid forder, The Devill off knychtheid gaif him order.
2. The vocation of a knight: = KNIGHTHOOD 3.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xvi. (Magdalene), 70. To k[n]ychthed hyre bruþir lazare Halely hyme gafe, & lytil rocht Of landis.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, lvi. 153. He hadde lefte his offyce and hadde taken hym self to the fayttes of knygthed.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 822. He goith ymong them in his hie curage, As he that had of knyghthed the wsage.
3. Knightly character or accomplishments: = KNIGHTHOOD 4.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 8422. To be lered him-self to lede, Wit clerge bath and wit knighthede.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 5549. Of knighthede to count þere was the clene floure.
1450–70. Golagros & Gaw., 376. Thai war courtes and couth thair knyghthed to kyth.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VI. vi. 39. Eneas, ful of piete and knychtheid.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., I. 575. Suppois he was of all knychtheid the floure.
4. A body of knights, or (= L. mīlitia) of fighting men: = KNIGHTHOOD 5.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xxix. (Placidas), 68. A knycht callit placydas Prynce of his knychted was.
1382. Wyclif, Jer. viii. 1. The sunne, and the moone, and al the knyȝthed [1388 knyȝthod, L. militia] of heuene.
