Knighthoods for All

[PeteR]

Did Charles I, in 1626, offer a knighthood to every man in the kingdom worth over �40 p.a.?

[Kit]

Yes. It was a means of raising money - he revived an an old feudal tradition requiring every man who owned property generating a certain income, to become a knight. Then he sent out invitations which had such a short deadline that it was impossible to get to the knighthood ceremony - and then he fined people for not turning up. Pretty sneaky - more detailed info at http://bob-boynton.hypermart.net/stories/lastgasp.
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