The Death of Chivalry

British Honours System Gets the Boot

Published on July 19, 2004 By CS Guy In Current Events

The London Evening Standard is reporting on a Labour-dominated Commons committee attempt to eliminate knighthoods. They want to do away with the title Sir, as well as the Order of the British Empire, which is “used to honour sporting heroes, community leaders and celebrities.” It seems their beef with this award is that it is "anachronistic and insensitive".

I’m not sure what a CBE is, but that is on their list of cuts as well because “Commander” sounds too militaristic. "The term Commander, as used in the CBE, has a militaristic ring which now sits oddly with a largely civilian award. The new Order should therefore have Companions instead."

From the committee report: "Such titles are redolent of past preoccupations with rank and class, just as Empire is redolent of an imperial history. Their continued use strikes a false note, which is no doubt why some recipients now prefer not to employ them."

Comments

Poetmom99

on Jul 19, 2004

I’m not sure what a CBE is, but that is on their list of cuts as well because “Commander” sounds too militaristic. "The term Commander, as used in the CBE, has a militaristic ring which now sits oddly with a largely civilian award. The new Order should therefore have Companions instead."

Did a little research....here you go.......

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry within the British honours system and was established in 1917 by George V. The motto of the Order is For God and the Empire.

The order has five grades, the top two of which are knightly (post-nominals in parentheses):

Knight/ Dame Grand Cross (GBE)
Knight/ Dame Commander (KBE/DBE)
Commander of Order (CBE)
Officer of the Order (OBE)
Member of the Order (MBE)

I would hope they don't do away with it....I've always thought it was one of those really impressive titles to be awarded, you know?

CS Guy

on Jul 19, 2004

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Why does that sound like something Keanu Reeves would be saying?

Poetmom99

on Jul 19, 2004

Why does that sound like something Keanu Reeves would be saying?

Sir Peter Maxwell

on Jul 19, 2004

This is an affront to Britishness itself, and we have political correctness to blame. The evil dogma of political correctness must be stopped for the sake of the empire of England.

I would hope they don't do away with it....I've always thought it was one of those really impressive titles to be awarded, you know?

Thank you.

CS Guy

on Jul 19, 2004

I would hope they don't do away with it....I've always thought it was one of those really impressive titles to be awarded, you know?

I think it would drain an element of romance from the British. And lord knows they need every bit they can hold on to.

Sir Peter Maxwell

on Jul 19, 2004

I think it would drain an element of romance from the British. And lord knows they need every bit they can hold on to.

If that was supposed to provoke me then you need to try harder. Your attempt at wit was a reasonable amateur effort, but very basic in my professional opinion.

Now back on subject, I will not reply to anything else.

CS Guy

on Jul 19, 2004

If that was supposed to provoke me then you need to try harder.

I was, of course, talking about the British in general, and not about you in particular. Everyone knows you are the very incarnation of romance and style.

Sir Peter Maxwell

on Jul 19, 2004

Everyone knows you are the very incarnation of romance and style.

Yes, I am, along with a lot of many famous British writers and poets. I was talking with John Cleese the other day, and he commented that the only reason the Americans like Monty Python so much is because their own imaginations are so low-level and bland. Very wise words indeed.

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