Jedi Knight/Legends



The title of Jedi Knight follows that of Padawan, and precedes the rank of Jedi Master. A Padawan would become a Jedi Knight once he or she had passed the Jedi Trials. In theory, it could take a Padawan many years of training under another Jedi Knight or a Jedi Master to achieve this rank.

Once a Padawan had passed the Jedi Trials, he or she was knighted by the Jedi Council and commissioned as an active member of the Jedi Order, free to participate in intergalactic peace-keeping, judicial, and diplomatic affairs. Rather than immediately beginning to participate in galactic affairs, a Jedi Knight may also choose to train a new Padawan.

History
The Jedi Knights were brought into the Republic shortly after the formation of the Jedi Order on Ossus. The Jedi agreed to become peacekeepers for the fledgling Republic. Unfortunately, the Republic felt that the Jedi would be more than capable of fighting entire wars, thus creating a burden for the Order. The Jedi participated in many battles, however, including the Battle of Geonosis, and the Battle of Galidraan (to exterminate the Mandalorians). During the execution of Order 66 by Darth Sidious\Emperor Palpatine, most of the Jedi Knights were slaughtered by the 501st Legion. Attacks occurred both on Coruscant and on numerous planets where Knights were leading Clone Troopers in the fight against the Separatists. It is unknown if any Jedi made it out of the Jedi Temple alive (where Darth Vader took personal charge of the extermination), but it is speculated that some may have escaped to the Outer Rim.

In the Old Republic
During the time of the Old Jedi Order, after a Padawan had spent an adequate amount time learning from his or her Master, he or she would undertake the trials of Knighthood. If the Padawan passed the trials they were declared to be a Knight of the Galactic Republic by the Jedi Council. The customary braid worn by Padawans was shorn off with a lightsaber, by the leading Jedi Council member of the time, in the Knighting ceremony held in the Hall of Knighthood. Only the Jedi Council or the Padawan's Master could promote a Padawan to the rank of Jedi Knight. Most Knights were promoted to Jedi Masters after they successfully entered a Padawan into Knighthood themselves, although in rare cases they could also be promoted to Master without having done this (such as in the case of Master Saesee Tiin, who never took an apprentice). It should be noted as well that many Knights were addressed as "Master" at least by their own apprentices. One legendary Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker in the waning days of the Order was given the chance to sit on the Jedi Council a seat once reserved only for Jedi Masters. It was not till he confronted them that he was told that he was he was to stay a Jedi Knight and that he was not ready to become a master. It should be noted that Anakin Skywalker was at this point the youngest member of the order to have a seat on the counsil.

In the New Jedi Order
Knighting within the New Jedi Order was not always as formal as in the Old Jedi Order. In 12 ABY, Kyp Durron, Dorsk 81, and Cilghal were pronounced Knights by Luke Skywalker after they were able to complete every task set forth for them, including building their own lightsabers. The three left the Jedi Praxeum on Yavin 4 and took upon themselves the responsibilities of a Jedi Knight, including the enormous task of keeping the peace within the Galaxy.

Another notable example of New Jedi Order methods is Jaden Korr, who was knighted when he was told by means of an informal conversation with Luke Skywalker and Kyle Katarn, that Skywalker and Katarn had decided to promote Korr to the level of Jedi Knight due to his performance and exemplary actions on Vjun.

In 24 ABY, the knighting of Jacen Solo, Jaina Solo, Zekk, Tenel Ka, Lusa, Raynar Thul, and Lowbacca was performed at the discretion of Luke Skywalker following their year of service in aiding in the defeat of the Diversity Alliance and Black Sun. Their knighting ceremony was a public spectacle held in the Massassi Temple in front of the assembled New Jedi Order and representatives of the New Republic and included a lightsaber salute from the current knights and a ballad of their deeds from Tionne.

In 27 ABY, as the first act of the High Council, Luke Skywalker knighted the Padawan survivors of the Mission to Myrkr at a ceremony on Dac.

Famous Jedi Knights

 * Cay Qel-Droma
 * Ulic Qel-Droma
 * Revan
 * Bastila Shan
 * Jaina Solo
 * Jacen Solo
 * Leia Organa Solo
 * Nomi Sunrider
 * Anakin Skywalker

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Republic: Rite of Passage
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Star Wars: Clone Wars
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Junior Jedi Knights
 * Young Jedi Knights