Lit. 'guild of knights'. The OldEngl. word cniht = a youth or young retainer, including military retainers. In the reigns of both William II and Henry I the privileges of the London cnihtena gild were confirmed; however, this was an association of the most prominent burgesses. There were other such associations of the same name in Winchester and Canterbury, the latter being referred to in a charter during King Aethelberht's reign.
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.