hat time created
by other knights, or by nobles, or by officers of the crown. To be
knighted by the King in person distinguished the recipient for life. It
was this signal honor that the Earl, for his own purposes, wished Myles
to enjoy, and for this end he had laid not a few plans.

The accolade was the term used for the creation of a knight upon the
field of battle. It was a reward of valor or of meritorious service, and
was generally bestowed in a more or less off-hand way; but the ceremony
of the Bath was an occasion of the greatest courtly moment, and it was
thus that Myles Falworth was to be knighted in addition to the honor of
a royal belting.

A quaint old book treating of knighthood and chivalry gives a full and
detailed account of all the circumstances of the ceremony of a creation
of a Knight of the Bath. It tells us that the candidate was first
placed under the care of two squires of honor, "grave and well seen in
courtship and nurture, and also in feats of chivalry," which same were
likewise to be governors in all things relating to the coming honors.

First of all, the barber shaved him, and cut his hair in a certain
peculiar fashion ordained for the occasion, the squires of honor
supervising the operation. This being concluded, the candidate was
solemnly conducted to the chamber where the bath of tepid water was
prepared, "hung within and without with linen, and likewise covered
with rich cloths and embroidered linen." While in the bath two "ancient,
grave, and reverend knights" attended the bachelor, giving him "meet
instructions in the order and feats of chivalry." The candidate was then
examined as to his knowledge and acquirements, and then, all questions
being answered to the satisfaction of his examiners, the elder of the
two dipped a handful of water out from the bath, and poured it upon his
head, at the same time signing his left shoulder with the sign of the
cross.

As soon as this ceremony was concluded, the two squires of honor helped
their charge from the bath, and conducted him to a plain bed without
hangings, where they let him rest until his body was warm and dry.
Then they clad him in a white linen shirt, and over it a plain robe of
russet, "girdled about the loins with a rope, and having a hood like
unto a hermit."

As soon as the candidate had arisen, the two "ancient knights" returned,
and all being in readiness he was escorted to the chapel, the two
walking, one upon either side