A
knight , usually a
bachelier , who departs to seek adventure and thus earn
renown and possibly riches so that he might settle, marry, and earn his living. In history most errants would pursue wars or
tournaments as the chief methods by which they might earn renown; in the
romances such knights would battle incredible beasts, rescue ladies, and defend
princes and
kings , who would often return their service with
largesse , bestowing upon them lands and titles. The most celebrated historical errant would have to be William Marshal, who went from being a minor son with little inheritance to Earl of Pembroke. In legend there were many famous errants, including Tristan, Yvain, Lancelot; most of the famous Arthurian knights sought fame through errancy at one point or other. Within the
Company of Saint George , the errant is an applicant to the company who is charged by the company to bring renown to themselves, the company, their consorts and their
kingdom by great acts of
chivalry .
