E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Knights Errant.
In France, from 768 to 987, the land was encumbered with fortified castles; in England this was not the case till the reign of Stephen. The lords of these castles used to carry off females and commit rapine, so that a class of men sprang up, at least in the pages of romance, who roamed about in full armour to protect the defenceless and aid the oppressed.
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“‘Prox’ima quæque metit glad’io’ is the perfect account of a knight errant.”—Dryden: Dedication of the Æne’is.
