| Knight Bachelor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Awarded by Monarch of the United Kingdom | |
| Awarded for | Public service |
| Sovereign | Charles III |
| Knight Principal | Sir Gary Hickinbottom |
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In theBritish honours system, the title ofKnight Bachelor is the basic rank granted to a man who has beenknighted by the monarch but not inducted as a member of one of the organisedorders of chivalry.[1]
Knights Bachelor are the most ancient sort of British knight[2] (the rank existed during the 13th-century reign ofKing Henry III), but Knights Bachelor rank below knights of chivalric orders. A man who is knighted is formally addressed as "Sir [First Name] [Surname]" or "Sir [First Name]" and his wife as "Lady [Surname]".
The designation "Bachelor" in this context conveys the concept of "junior in rank".[3]
Knighthood is usually conferred for public service; amongst its recipients are all male judges ofHis Majesty's High Court of Justice in England. It is possible to be a Knight Bachelor and a junior member of an order of chivalry without being a knight of that order; this situation has become rather common, especially among those recognized for achievements in entertainment. For instance, SirMichael Caine, SirBilly Connolly, SirMo Farah, SirMichael Gambon, SirBarry Gibb, SirAnthony Hopkins, SirDerek Jacobi, SirElton John, SirBrian May, SirRoger Daltrey, and SirIan McKellen areCommanders of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE); SirTom Jones, SirVan Morrison, SirCliff Richard, and SirPatrick Stewart areOfficers of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE); while SirNick Faldo, SirLewis Hamilton, SirPaul McCartney, and Sir Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr) areMembers of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). None of them would be entitled to use the honorific "Sir" by virtue of their membership of the order alone, but as they are all also Knights Bachelor, they are entitled to preface their names with that title.[citation needed]
Knights Bachelor may prefix "Sir" to their forenames, and wives of Knights may prefix "Lady" to their surnames.[1][4][5] The award originated in theMiddle Ages. There are nopost-nominal letters associated with the honour nor can it be awarded to women. (They are instead appointedDames Commander of the Order of the British Empire).[6]
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Until 1926, Knights Bachelor had no specific insignia which they could wear, but in that year,King George V issued a warrant authorising the wearing of a breast badge on all appropriate occasions by Knights Bachelor.[7] This badge is worn on the left side of the coat or outer garment. Measuring2+3⁄8 inches (60 mm) in length and1+3⁄8 inches (35 mm) in width, it is described inheraldic terms as follows:[8]
Upon an oval medallion ofvermilion, enclosed by a scroll a cross-hilted sword belted and sheathed,pommel upwards, between two spurs,rowels upwards, the whole set about with the sword belt, all gilt.
In 1973,Queen Elizabeth II issued a further warrant authorising the wearing on appropriate occasions of aneck badge (of smaller size) and a miniature medal.[7] In 1988, a new certificate of authentication, a Knight Bachelor's only personal documentation, was designed by theCollege of Arms.[8]
TheImperial Society of Knights Bachelor was founded for the maintenance and consolidation of the Dignity of Knights Bachelor in 1908, and obtained official recognition from the Sovereign in 1912. The Society keeps records of all Knights Bachelor, in their interest.[9]
There is no female counterpart to Knight Bachelor.[10] The lowest knightly honour that can be conferred upon a woman isDame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE), which is one rank higher than Knight Bachelor (being the female equivalent of KBE or Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, which is the next male knightly rank above Knight Bachelor).[citation needed]
Only citizens ofCommonwealth realms can be created Knights Bachelor; people of other nationalities are generally madehonorary KBEs.[11]
| Orders of chivalry |
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| Military gallantry/bravery decorations |
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| Distinguished service decorations |
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| Meritorious service | |||||||||||||
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