denomination given to gown-men and others, of peaceable professions, who, on account of their birth, office, or merits to the public, or the like, are, by the prince, raised to the dignity of knighthood.

They take the appellation carpet, because they usually receive their honours from the king's hands in the court, kneeling on a carpet. By which they are distinguished from knights created in the camp, or field of battle, on account of their military prowess. Carpet knights possess a medium between those called truck or dunghill knights, who only purchase or merit the honour by their wealth, and knights-bachelors, who are created for their services in the war.