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To: naturalman1975

My point in suggesting this was to restore a Knighthood to “real” Knights. An exclusive fraternity fit for an Arthurian round table, completely distinct from any other group that do not fight.

A martial and militant organization of warriors, honored as warriors, as martial Knights of the Crown.

It can be said that the highest warrior rank is not General, but Colonel, as a General divides their time between strategy and political interface with civilian leaders. Colonels and their subordinates are the highest rank that engages and pursues the enemy.

But a Knighthood of this sort is not based on rank, but extended personal risk during combat. And it is not an award, even a high level award, but a symbol of the realm.


6 posted on 07/03/2009 5:58:35 AM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy
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To: yefragetuwrabrumuy
I think I understand at what you are getting at, but I think you place too much importance on the title. The Victoria Cross and George Cross, for example, carry no title, but rank above all Knighthoods in the order of precedence.

There are a number of other high honours without title that rank above most Knighthoods - the Order of Merit, the Companion of Honour for example.

The two biggest problem with the idea of such a Knighthood I can see is that it doesn't fit particularly well into the real British traditions of Knights. Most Knights of the Middle Ages hadn't really done anything significant to earn their spurs - they were Knighted before they ever entered their first battle. The early Orders of Chivalry really described a particular job a Knight set out to do. From the establishment of The Most Noble Order of the Garter (the oldest order still in existence, dating to approximately 1350), it was awarded for both military and non-military service. There's 660 years of history behind the current system. The second problem is the issue that there are significant numbers of people who do not wish to bear a title - they do not object to decorations or honours, merely titles. Should they be denied recognition because of their beliefs?

Personally, I look at General Sir John Monash GCMG KCB VD as my image of a 'modern' (actually World War I) warrior-Knight. He was the first man in two centuries to be knighted by a British King on the field of battle.

To me that seems all the honour a true Knight needs - and the Orders of St Michael and St George, and the Bath, provided what was needed.

7 posted on 07/03/2009 7:17:34 AM PDT by naturalman1975 ("America was under attack. Australia was immediately there to help." - John Winston Howard)
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