FIRST WRITTEN RECORD
William is most likely related to the Edward Knighte whose will was proved in the the next-door-parish of Stockbury during 1556 (PRC/3/14/44). Given their close proximity and the fact Edward was living during the first half of William's life, they may even be father and son. At the very least I suspect they are cousins. (We need to see Edward's will.)
Knight of Bicknor's will (WY from PRC/17; Kent, Archdeaconry of Canterbury Wills, Probated February 1573/74) is the earliest confirmed record we have of our Knight family. He was very likely related to neighbouring the Borden family, which is listed in the Lay subsidy of 1334/5 and took part in Cade's rebellion. It is tempting to think he may be a descendant of the Richard Knyght who purchased lands in Stockbury during 1531/32, or the James Knight who obtained parcels in Hollingbourne and Thurnham during 1546. This is speculation; Our written records start with the will that William Knight left in 1573/74.
WYATT'S REBELLION
He was presumably born around 1525 and, even if he did not already reside in Bicknor likely came from a neighbouring parish. So even if William Knight did not join Thomas Wyatt when he marched on London in 1554, he would have been effected. One of Wyatt's principal lieutenants was Sir William Cromer, who owned manor houses in Boxley, Bredgar, Borden, Milsted and Tunstal. (Helen Allinson, BREDGAR: THE HISTORY OF A KENTISH PARISH (Synjon Books: Petts Wood, Kent, 1997) p 36) Wyatt owned Cryallis house in Borden and, in 1548, obtained possession of Bicknor's manor house. Though no Bicknor residents are listed among the 533 known rebels, there were men from the surrounding parishes of Hollingbourne, Thurnham, Stockbury, Bredgar and Borden. The names of close to 3,000 of Wyatt's followers are not known.
The resulting punishments fell heaviest on the Wyatt family. SIr Thomas Wyatt was executed and his home, Allington castle, was given to Jacob Astley. Wyatt's widow was allowed to keep Boxley manor and a portion of their old Abbey lands in Boxley. Queen Mary (r. 1553-58) eventually restored Cryallis house to the Wyatts, who rented it to a tenant farmer. (Allinson, BORDEN, p 23). Bicknor's manor house was given to Thomas Reader, of Bredgar, "who about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth's reign (r. 1558-1603) conveyed it to William Terry."
These are all events that would have been familiar to William Knight, who owned land in Bicknor.
WILLIAM KNIGHT'S WILL
In his will, probated in February 1573/74, William established his wife Jone as executrix and said he was to be buried in the churchyard of Bicknor. An overseer named Johne Miles is mentioned. William also described the children he and Jone had: