Knight

:For the chess piece, see knight (chess).

Honorific orders

From roughly 1560, purely honorific orders were established, designed as a way to confer prestige and distinction, unrelated to military service or chivalry in the more narrow sense. Such orders were particularly popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, and knighthood continues to be conferred in various countries:

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• The United Kingdom (see British honours system) and some Commonwealth countries;
• Most European countries, such as The Netherlands (see below).
• Malaysia — see Malay titles;
• Thailand;
• The Holy See — see http://www.chivalricorders.org/vatican/main2.htm.

There are other monarchies and also republics that also follow the practice. Modern knighthoods are typically awarded in recognition for services rendered to society, services which are no longer necessarily martial in nature. The musician Elton John, for example, is entitled to call himself Sir Elton. The female equivalent is a Dame.

Related Topics:
Monarchies - Elton John

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Accompanying the title is the given name, and optionally the surname. So, Elton John may be called Sir Elton or Sir Elton John, but never Sir John. Similarly, actress Judi Dench D.B.E. may be addressed as Dame Judi or Dame Judi Dench, but never Dame Dench. Wives of knights, however, are entitled to the honorific "Lady" before their husband's surname. Thus Sir Paul McCartney's wife is styled Lady McCartney, not Lady Paul McCartney or Lady Heather McCartney. The style Dame Heather McCartney could be used; however, this style is largely archaic and is only used in the most formal of documents.

Related Topics:
Given name - Surname - Judi Dench - Sir Paul McCartney

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State Knighthoods in the Netherlands are issued in three orders, the Order of William, the Order of the Dutch Lion, and the Order of Orange Nassau. Additionally there remain a few hereditary knights in The Netherlands. In Germany, the title corresponding to "knight" is Ritter.

Related Topics:
Order of William - Order of the Dutch Lion - Order of Orange Nassau - Germany - Ritter

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