All members of the Order of the British Empire can add the initials of their rank to the end of their names, though, which is why you sometimes read about celebrities with ranks following their names, like ‘Roger Daltrey, CBE.’” ( Mental Floss) Achieving one of the first two ranks earns a person a slot in the knighthood, which means they can add ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’ to their names. The Order has five separate ranks: Knight Grand Cross (Dame Grand Cross for women), Knight Commander (Dame Commander), Commander, Officer, and Member. Although the Order was originally meant to honor top-notch civilian and military behavior during war, it quickly expanded to include peacetime achievements as well. “Since 1917, the British government has been awarding notable citizens with spots in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The Steps of Knighthood Picture #88009702 | After he has been dubbed, the new knight stands up, and The Queen invests the knight with the insignia of the Order to which he has been appointed, or the Badge of a Knight Bachelor. Contrary to popular belief, the words ‘Arise, Sir…’ are not used. In a ceremony of knighting, the knight-elect kneels on a knighting-stool in front of The Queen, who then lays the sword blade on the knight’s right and then left shoulder. “Eventually, it became the custom for monarchs to confer all knighthoods personally, unless this was quite impracticable. The person receiving the knighthood would kneel before the Royal commander of the army and “dubbed” a knight by the touch of a sword upon the back and shoulders and the words “ Advances Chevalier au nom de Dieu.” Starting with Henry VIII, the number of people who received knighthoods greatly diminished. Many received their knighthood as part of their military service. Those who received early knighthoods were expected to fast, to maintain a vigil, to bathe, to make a confession, and be granted absolution before the ceremony. Strict religious rites were involved in the conferment of a knighthood. Some of the kings of England were knighted after coming to the throne they included: William I, Edward III, Henry VII, and Edward VI. Knights were not born they had to receive their position at the disposal of their Sovereign. He would also be expected to maintain the expenses of his trade: arms, armor, horses, assistants, etc., as well to provide followers who would also take arms in service to the King/Queen. He would be expected to embrace the strictures of chivalry: generosity, bravery, self-denial, fighting skills, and faithfulness. He often learned his trade by serving as an “esquire” to a knight during war years. Each “knight” practiced a strict military training from the time he was but a youth.

Knights became the standard of military excellence in European countries. At that time there existed an order of mounted nobles referred to as Ordo Equestris. Knighthoods likely date back to ancient Rome.

Knighthood ranks