knight of the post
[i.e. (?) of the whipping-post or pillory: see quots.]
A notorious perjurer; one who got his living by giving false evidence; a false bail.
| 1580 E. Knight Trial Truth 39 b, Men,..who will not let to sweare vpon a booke,..beyng hyred therevnto for money..called..Knightes of the poste, more fitter for the Gallowes, then to liue in a common wealth where Christ is professed. 1592 Chettle Kinde-harts Dr. (1841) 11 A knight of the post, whome in times past I haue seen as highly promoted as the pillory. 1592 Nashe P. Penilesse, A Knight of the Post,..a fellow that will sweare you any thing for twelve pence. 1597 E. S. Discov. Knights Post B, Knightes of the Poste, Lords of lobs pound, and heires apparant to the pillory: who are ready to baile men out of prison. 1641 Brome Joviall Crew Wks. 1873 III. 366 He was taken up a Knight o' the Post; and so he continued, till he was degraded at the whipping-post. a 1716 Bp. O. Blackall Wks. (1723) I. 330 When once Men have by frequent use lost the reverence that is due to an Oath, they easily become Knights of the Post and may be hir'd to swear any⁓thing. 1772 Wesley Wks. (1872) XI. 45 Does not the publisher..deserve to lose his ears more than a common knight of the post? 1819 R. Chapman Jas. V, 132 They hired knights of the post, who were evidences against him. |