Windsor People
The Knight Family
Charles Knight Snr 1750-1824
Charles Snr, had settled in Windsor in 1780. He was a bookseller, printer and author, whose local guide-books passed through many editions for half a century. He was twice Mayor (1806 &1817) Alderman, Justice of the Peace and Bailiff. The family lived above the shop in Castle Street, at first in a house very near to the Henry VIII Gateway, and then in more spacious accommodation.
In 1780 Charles Knight Snr had voted for Admiral Keppel for Parliament, in spite of the Kings preference for his rival, and he was active in the affairs of the parish and Corporation. (Keppel estates – large land owner in Windsor)
Charles Knight Jnr 1791-1873
Young Charles Knight recorded how, between May and August 1802 three hundred thousand “Volunteers” , Home Guard, were enrolled in the country. The summer was the time of marching and counter-marchings, and he described how a Volunteer had to prepare his person for an exercise. First, he had to pipe-clay his white breeches and gaiters, and he had to polish the bright barrel of his musket till he could see his face in it. Then he had to grease and flower his hair like a footman.
Charles Knight’s reminiscences are amongst the best descriptions of Windsor at the beginning of the 19th century.
In 1812 Charles Knight became proprietor, with his father, of the Windsor and Eton Express. On 1st August 1812 they produced the first number of the Windsor and Eton Express
In June 1820 Charles accepted editorship of a London weekly, The Guardian, loosening his connection with Windsor and in 1830 he finally moved away.
Batchelors Acre Madeira Walk Graveyard
Charles Snr and Jnr are buried in the small closed Graveyard at Batchelors Acre appropriately close to their roots in Windsor. At one end is a wrought-Iron gateway erected by Mr Barry Knight to the memory of his father.
