knight bachelor (KB)

In the UK, the lowest, but most ancient, form of knighthood, originating in the reign of Henry III. A KB is not a member of any order of chivalry.

Knights Bachelor are the most ancient sort of British knight, existing during the reign of King Henry III, but they rank below members in the various orders. Like other knights, Knights Bachelor are styled "Sir". Knights Bachelor are not entitled to use post-nominal letters after their name , but "Kt" (note the lowercase 't', which distinguishes it from "KT", the post-nominals of a Knight of the Thistle) is sometimes used erroneously.

The Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor was founded for the maintenance and consolidation of the Dignity of Knights Bachelor in 1908, and obtained official recognition from the Sovereign in 1912. The Society keeps records of all Knights Bachelor, in their interest.

Until 1926 Knights Bachelor had no insignia which they could wear, but in that year King George V issued a Warrant authorising the wearing of a badge on all appropriate occasions. The Knights Bachelor badge may be worn on all appropriate occasions upon the left side of the coat or outer garment of those upon whom the degree of Knight Bachelor has been conferred. Measuring 2⅜ inches in length and 1⅜ inches in width, it is described in heraldic terms as follows:

Upon an oval medallion of vermilion, enclosed by a scroll a cross-hilted sword belted and sheathed, pommel upwards, between two spurs, rowels upwards, the whole set about with the sword belt, all gilt. In 1988 a new certificate of authentication, a knight's only personal documentation, was designed by the College of Arms.

It is possible to be a junior member of an order of chivalry and a Knight Bachelor without being a knight of that order.