For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic...before the Dark Times...before the Empire--Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ep IV

Words spoken by one of the last remaining Jedi Knights of old...Obi-Wan Kenobi. Ironically, these words were spoken to the son of former Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker...Luke. All Luke wanted was to know more about his father, whom he thought was a pilot on a spice freighter...but soon discovered that he was really a Jedi Knight. I can only imagine the thought going through Luke's head at that moment...Jedi Knights...weren't they traitorous to the Empire...weren't they what led to the fall of the Old Republic? Sitting and talking with a Jedi Knight was sure to dispell some of those misconceptions for Luke...especially as time passed and he realized the true nature of the Force and what it was to be a Jedi.

Who exactly were these Jedi Knights...besides the guardians of peace and justice. What kind of training did these Jedi Knights undergo to obtain and maintain their title? Well...the Jedi Knights were beings from across the galaxy who underwent years of vigorous training. To become a Knight in the Jedi Order, one must have the deepest commitment...as the life is not an easy one. In the days of the Old Republic, the Jedi would search the galaxy for infants exhibiting strong Force potential...these infants would be brought back to the Temple and undergo years of training, moving through the ranks of youngling to padawan to Knight to Master. Next to being a Master, the rank of Jedi Knight was one of the most independent (relatively speaking) positions within the Order. As a Knight, a Jedi had the freedom to come and go from the temple as he or she pleased. As a Knight, a Jedi no longer had to report to his or her Master...to account for his or her whereabouts or actions.

For many Jedi, the attainment of Knighthood was the culmination of years of hard work and discipline...with the attainment of Master often taking many more years beyond that. However, for some Jedi, becoming a Knight was not enough. Take Anakin for example...he attained Jedi Knighthood in an unconventional way...during wartime and under great need for more knights throughout the galaxy. Although this was a great achievement for Anakin, Jedi Knighthood should have been a huge stepping stone for Masterhood...but it was not. The Council maintained Anakin's status as a Jedi Knight despite his appointment to the Council by Palpatine...a huge blow to his ego. He wanted to be a Master...namely to obtain access to the "Master's Only" section of the Archives...but he was being held to the rank of Jedi Knight until the Masters could trust him. Ironic, though, that in a time where deceit was rampant, the Jedi should have placed a bit more trust in this Knight...or at least have given him more support.

Enough on that, as I have discussed that before...the Jedi Knights *were* the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Too bad Palpatine had to take advantage of the trusting nature of the Jedi and use Anakin, now Vader, to help destroy the Jedi Knights. Only a couple of decades later did Palpatine meet his demise...when then Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker helped his father to return to the light and destroy the Emperor.