cavaliers

Cavaliers refers primarily to historical and contemporary uses of the term related to Royalist or team-based associations. In history, Cavaliers were the Royalist supporters of King Charles I during the English Civil War (1642–1651). The name arose from their cavalrymen and perceived courtly, aristocratic manner in contrast to the Parliamentarians, known as Roundheads. The Cavaliers supported the monarchy and sought to restore royal authority after the conflict. Notable Royalist leaders included William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle, and Prince Rupert of the Rhine. The war ended with Parliamentarian victory and the execution of Charles I; the monarchy was restored in 1660 under Charles II, reinforcing the association of the term with Royalist sentiment, though its political prominence waned in the later Stuart era.

In modern times, Cavaliers most prominently refer to the Cleveland Cavaliers, a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Based in Cleveland, Ohio, the franchise was established in 1970 as an expansion team and plays its home games at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Cavaliers won their first NBA championship in 2016, led by players such as LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, a milestone in the franchise’s history. The team has undergone several eras and coaching changes and has been associated with colors such as wine and gold.

Outside these uses, Cavaliers is a common team nickname in various sports contexts, reflecting the historical connation of chivalry and horsemanship. The term is also encountered in cultural discussions referencing Royalist sympathies from the English Civil War era.