ridders

Ridders is the Dutch plural form of ridder, meaning knights. The term also appears as a Dutch surname. Etymologically, ridder comes from Middle Dutch ridder, itself from Proto-Germanic roots; it is closely related to the German Ritter. In many Dutch- and Germanic-language contexts, ridders share a common heritage with knighthood as a social and military status.

Historically, ridders were mounted armored cavalry belonging to the noble class in medieval Europe. They served lords as vassals and were bound by a code of conduct, often described as chivalry, which emphasized martial skill, honor, piety, and protection of the weak. Knighthood was typically attained through a formal process, such as training as a squire and participating in ceremonies, and it conferred social prestige, landholdings, and certain privileges. The rise of knightly orders, such as the Templars and Hospitallers, and later state orders, further structured knighthood beyond individual noble houses.

In contemporary Dutch usage, ridder remains a formal title within various orders of merit. Recipients are addressed by their rank in ceremonial contexts, and insignia associated with the order may be worn at official events. The term ridders, therefore, can refer to multiple individuals who hold such knighthood ranks or to historical knights described in historical sources. The concept of ridders thus spans both historical soldiers of medieval Europe and modern honorary titles in Dutch-speaking regions.