King Edward III (1312 – 1377) founded an order of knighthood, the Order of the Garter, on April 23, 1344. The story goes that at a royal dance, Edward noticed the courtiers mocking the lovely princess Joan of Kent who had dropped an item of intimate apparel (possibly a sanitary belt). Gallantly picking it up to assuage her embarrassment, Edward tied it around his own leg, and remarked "Shame on him who thinks evil of it", which became the motto of the Order of the Garter.
Descended from medieval chivalry, knights today today are named by the English monarch. Knighthood carries the title Sir; the female equivalent Dame.
The scientist Michael Faraday refused a knighthood, saying "I must remain Michael Faraday to the last."
Sir Henry Rowley Bishop (1786 – 1855) an English composer most famous for the songs "Home! Sweet Home!" and "Lo! Here the Gentle Lark” was knighted in 1842. It was the first knighthood conferred upon a musician.
When Henry Irving was knighted in 1895, it was the first time an actor had received such an honor. The act marked the beginning of the social assimilation of the acting profession.
David Bowie declined the CBE in 2000 and a knighthood in 2003.
When Sir Terry Pratchett was knighted, he forged his own sword from iron and meteorites just for the occasion.
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| Symbol of the Order of the Garter embroidered onto the left shoulder of the blue velvet mantle of a Knight |
Descended from medieval chivalry, knights today today are named by the English monarch. Knighthood carries the title Sir; the female equivalent Dame.
The scientist Michael Faraday refused a knighthood, saying "I must remain Michael Faraday to the last."
Sir Henry Rowley Bishop (1786 – 1855) an English composer most famous for the songs "Home! Sweet Home!" and "Lo! Here the Gentle Lark” was knighted in 1842. It was the first knighthood conferred upon a musician.
When Henry Irving was knighted in 1895, it was the first time an actor had received such an honor. The act marked the beginning of the social assimilation of the acting profession.
David Bowie declined the CBE in 2000 and a knighthood in 2003.
When Sir Terry Pratchett was knighted, he forged his own sword from iron and meteorites just for the occasion.
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