Group    From 27/4/1908 

Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor

An exclusive club which only knights can join.  Founded in 1908 to enable a joint opposition to the Walker Trustees who were enforcing their entitlement to collect monies from newly created Knights.

More details: The Office of Usher of the White Rod which has existed since at least 1393, was an attendant of the Parliament of Scotland and an hereditary office.  In 1758 it became a commodity which could be bought and sold.  From The Edge: "Eventually it was purchased by William Walker, an Edinburgh lawyer, for his son Sir Patrick. As well as the income, Patrick was keen on the ceremonial side and he appeared at the Coronation of King George IV, and at George IV's famous visit to Edinburgh in 1822, dressed up in his specially designed pantaloons and uniform."  The Walker family then set up a Trust and in 1877, by Act of Parliament, all newly created Knights Bachelor became liable to pay certain fees to the Walker Trustees in perpetuity.  The Knights objected.  It's not clear why they had not objected before but possibly the fees had not previously been collected efficiently, or at all.  Hence they needed a body (the ISKB) with which to fight the court case, which went to appeal but they did win.  The amount which no longer had to be paid was, per Knight Bachelor, £3 6s 8d. From the rate sheet at ISKB we see that a Duke was the most expensive at over £21.  We think that White Rod lost all this income so goodness knows how he affords the panteloons now.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor

Commemorated ati

Imperial Society

On this site the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor was founded on 27th Apr...

Read More

Other Subjects

Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims

Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims

An hereditary society dedicated to perpetuating the memory and fostering and  promoting the principles and virtues of the Mayflower pilgrims.

Group, Community / Clubs

1 memorial
Rainbow Corner

Rainbow Corner

Club for the American forces in the UK during WW2. Also known as the American Red Cross Club. This is where those "oversexed, overpaid and over here" GIs hung out. From British History online: The...

Building, Armed Forces, Community / Clubs

1 memorial
Basil Marsden Smedley

Basil Marsden Smedley

Barrister and local politician in Chelsea. Born and lived his entire adult life in Chelsea.  At the age of 16 lost the use of his right arm. Member of Chelsea Borough Council 1928 until his death. ...

Person, Community / Clubs, Politics & Administration

2 memorials
Tom Thornton

Tom Thornton

Newspaper proprietor and campaigner. Born in Norwood. He became owner and editor of the Beckenham Journal, and used his influence in helping to establish the Croydon Road Recreation Ground. His pre...

Person, Commerce, Community / Clubs

1 memorial