They share the same meaning, I believe its down to the development of language in different countries.. but I don't have hard evidence.
'kneeled', 'knelt' and 'bent' are all past forms of the verbs 'kneel' and 'bend'. 'Bended' is archaic and rarely used in formal written English--usually it's seen in the phrase 'on bended knees' (where in fact it's not being used as a verb). Strangely, 'knelt' is a 19th century newcomer and 'kneeled' is the earlier past form of the verb 'kneel'. I think 'knelt' is used more often than 'kneeled' in formal British English (along the lines of words like 'felt' 'crept' 'dreamt' etc). I was ALWAYS taught to use the past form in the shorter -t version in British schools where it was still current, and usually the -ed form in US NATO schools I attended!
Do any parties condone the use of only one? ie. If I were to write 'knelt' in a US NATO institution would I be deemed incorrect?
Microsoft Word US Eng seems to accept 'knelt', so I'd hazard a guess that it would be fine--but let's hear about this from an American English user!
I think they sound better one way or the other in different situations. He knelt before the Goddess of War and asked her forgiveness In front of the War Goddess is where he kneeled.
since both are correct, no teacher in either camp should object to either usage, but of course one might!
Bended doesn't even sound like a word to me. It is as akward and "petted," but I don't think there is another option for "petted." I usually say he rubbed the cats head or something to avoid "petted." I think I used kneeled more than knelt. He kneelded down next to her. Yeah, I used kneelded, but "knelt" sounds good to me as well.
but now, 'bust' and 'burst' are two different verbs... so their respective past tenses would be 'busted' and 'burst'...
