What is "knights companions"

Companion \Com*pan"ion\ (k[o^]m*p[a^]n"y[u^]n), n. [F. compagnon, OF. compaing, fr. an assumed LL. companio (cf. companium fellowship, a mess), fr. L. com- + panis bread. See Pantry.]

1. One who accompanies or is in company with another for a longer or shorter period, either from choice or casually; one who is much in the company of, or is associated with, another or others; an associate; a comrade; a consort; a partner.

   The companions of his fall.
   --Milton.

   The companion of fools shall smart for it.
   --Prov. xiii. 20 (Rev. Ver.).

   Here are your sons again; and I must lose Two of the sweetest companions in the world.
   --Shak.

   A companion is one with whom we share our bread; a messmate.
   --Trench.

2. A knight of the lowest rank in certain orders; as, a companion of the Bath.

3. A fellow; -- in contempt. [Obs.]
   --Shak.

4. [Cf. OSp. compa[~n]a an outhouse, office.] (Naut.)

   1. A skylight on an upper deck with frames and sashes of various shapes, to admit light to a cabin or lower deck.

   2. A wooden hood or penthouse covering the companion way; a companion hatch.

      Companion hatch (Naut.), a wooden porch over the entrance or staircase of the cabin.

      Companion ladder (Naut.), the ladder by which officers ascend to, or descend from, the quarter-deck.
      --Totten.

      Companion way (Naut.), a staircase leading to the cabin.

      Knights companions, in certain honorary orders, the members of the lowest grades as distinguished from knights commanders, knights grand cross, and the like.

      Syn: Associate; comrade; mate; compeer; partner; ally; confederate; coadjutor; accomplice.