BUT there are some remarkable differences between these Knights and Knights-Batchelors; as in the Occasions and Circumstances of their Creations, the _Baneret_ being not Created, unless at a Time when the King’s Standard is erected, and that he bears his own Banner in the Field; whilst the _Knight-Batchelor_ follows that which is anothers.
THIS farther difference is observed between them, that the _Knight-Baneret_ had so many Gentlemen his Servants at Command, as that he could raise a Banner, and make up a Company of Soldiers to be maintained at his Table, and with his own Pay: But the _Knight-Batchelor_ had not sufficient for this, and therefore marched under the Banner of another; and the Wages of the _Baneret_ were double.
NEXT to these, we are to mention Knights of the _Bath_, which is a Degree that hath the Investiture and Title of Knight, with an additional Denomination, derived from Part of the Ceremony of his Creation. It is the general receiv’d Opinion, that our K. _Hen._ 4. first instituted these Knights, which is justify’d by Sir _John Froisard_, who says he created 46 of them at his Coronation, chusing them from such, as were either his Favorites, or had pretensions to it from their personal Merits, or Services.
BUT if the Ceremonies and Circumstances of their Creation be well consider’d, it may be inferr’d, that he rather restor’d the ancient way of making Knights, than Instituted them; and consequently that the Knights of the _Bath_, are really no other than _Knights-Batchelors_; that is, such as are created with those Ceremonies, wherewith _Knights-Batchelors_ were formerly created by Ecclesiasticks: But some of them having been laid aside, were then brought again into Use, and made peculiar to this Degree, and since continued to them upon some solemn and great Occasion.
AT the first View they look like a distinct Order of Knighthood; but cannot be so accounted, because they have no Statutes assigned them, nor are in Case of Vacancy, supply’d, (the Essentials of distinct Orders) nor do they wear their Robes beyond the Time of that Occasion upon which they were created; as chiefly, the Coronation of a King or Queen, the Creation of a Prince of _Wales_, Duke of _York_, and the like; whereas also their Number is uncertain, and always at the Pleasure of the King.