belted knight

English

Noun

belted knight (plural belted knights)

1. A man who has been knighted and received a belt and sword as the tokens of his knighthood.
   • 1881, William Samuel Symonds, Malvern Chase, Chapter 11, ^[1]

     When I awoke the next morning, it was difficult to realise that I was a belted knight and the master of the house, with all the various duties of life before me, and yet only twenty-one years of age.

   • 1893, Rudyard Kipling, “The Last Rhyme of True Thomas,” lines 1-4, ^[2]

     The king has called for priest and cup,

     The King has taken spur and blade

     To dub True Thomas a belted knight,

     And all for the sake o’ the songs he made.

Related terms

• belted earl

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Scots

Noun

belted knight (plural belted knights)

1. A belted knight.
   • 1789, Robert Burns, “The Five Carlins” ^[3]

     The first ane was a belted Knight,

     Bred of a Border band;

     And he wad gae to London town,

     Might nae man him withstand.

   • 1795, Robert Burns, “A Man’s a Man for A’ That” ^[4]

     A prince can mak a belted knight,

     A marquis, duke, an’ a’ that;

     But an honest man’s abon his might,

     Gude faith, he maunna fa’ that!