I've learned that some people who were born in England have been knighted by the Queen and have a prefix of "Sir" before their name. What is the purpose of this and why do these people get knighted?
2007-02-25 12:38:05 · 10 answers · asked by kwfl070405 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Royalty
Originally it was designed to recognise men, either during the time of war or other 'depression' times for their noble efforts for the king (or queen) and their country... It really doesn't have a place in modern society.
2007-02-25 13:10:17 · answer #1 · answered by kimison_au 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Knight is the English term for a social place originating interior the middle a while. interior the British Commonwealth of international locations, knighthood is a non-heritable sort of gentility, yet isn't the Aristocracy. Knighthood is special by the call Sir in England. greater recently, interior the united kingdom, knighthood has grow to be a symbolic call of honour given to a greater distinctive sort of human beings, from mountain climber Edmund Hillary to musician Paul McCartney. There are technically differing stages of knighthood, yet in prepare those are much greater symbolic than the call itself at present and to that bring about basic terms show the greatness of the recipient's achievements interior the eyes of the Crown.
2016-11-25 23:14:50 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
About half of the 'Sirs' inherited their titles; these are baronets but most of the famous ones you've seen are knights. A lot of people in the military or civil service receive knighthoods for long service, as do eminent scientists, people from the arts community, some great sportsmen, people who do a lot for charity, and leading businessmen. A few are members of the nobility who are close to the Queen and have probably not done as much for the country as people from humbler backgrounds who've had to earn them. The 'reasons' for knighthoods are often vague - 'for services to industry' is the reason for a lot of businessmen, even though a lot of people think they went into business to make money and that should be reward enough. And unfortunately, governments often use knighthoods to reward political supporters.
Incidentally, one does not have to be born in England. Commonwealth citizens living in Britain, or foreigners who have become British citizens (like the American Sir Paul Getty) are also eligible.
2007-02-26 06:08:59 · answer #3 · answered by Dunrobin 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The purpose is to recognise and reward those who have behaved outstandingly in their field and have enriched the nation with their feats. It is an old and revered custom which makes sense to them. Everyone else should accept it and treat it with respect. Just because other people do not do it does not make it silly or wrong.
2007-02-25 13:43:02 · answer #4 · answered by hopflower 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
some of my own family has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth the second. each of them was knighted for there work. and service to there field of work.
one a doctor was the queens special surgeon. another was is a famous heart surgeon. another was knighted for his work in the intelligence matters of the west. still one more was knighted for his work in reducing gangs in cities in Canada.
none of my family is addressed as sir. not while they are in Canada. instead they all have a medal that they may wear on special occasions and have the letter after there name along with the various degrees they each have. kmvo. i think it is . i am not really sure . i have not been knighted who knows one day maybe but i think the odds are against it as not many family have so many knights at one table. we thought of making it round
2007-02-25 13:54:28 · answer #5 · answered by s l 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Most of them haven't done anything to deserve it. It's kind of like US colleges giving people doctorates for no reason.
2007-02-28 07:59:24 · answer #6 · answered by Cynical 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A good example is when Margaret Thatcher had a Baronetcy bestowed on her,she refused to kneel,citing "arthritis".
In turn,the Queen remained seated,the only time that she did not stand to bestow a title.
Nor did she bother with excuses!
2007-02-25 13:27:50 · answer #7 · answered by mark t 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
you can buy the title sir/madam, dutch/dutchess etc it doesnt actually mean anything, people use the names for status purposes!
2007-03-01 22:03:09 · answer #8 · answered by Bonnie 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To continue the romantic infatuation of the people with a costly and unnecessary Monarchy system.
2007-02-25 12:42:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 6⤋
JUST ANOTHER BRAGGING WHO WHO DO...
STATUS SYMBOL OF ZERO PLUS ZERO = NIL..
2007-02-25 12:46:54 · answer #10 · answered by cork 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋