That wasn't the case under the old system; not sure about the new. I was lord of Larodais and stepped down so the ruler could give the region away. Unfortunately, stepping down as lord automatically made me a knight of the region, which we didn't realise, and I went with the region when it was given away.
.... that shouldn't be the case. you became a knight because you have an estate. if you don't have an estate, then you'll not be a knight but some random noble not on the hierarchy.
