Knighthood

Knighthood is an honor granted by a monarch that confers the title of knight. In modern Britain, it is usually awarded for service or achievement and does not itself confer hereditary rank.

Medieval knighthood: A social and military status associated with mounted warriors in medieval Europe. The royal honor developed from older forms of knightly status.
Monarch: A sovereign head of state whose office is usually hereditary. The monarch is the source of the honor in the definition of knighthood.
Peerage: The system of hereditary and life peer titles in the United Kingdom. Unlike knighthood, peerage can confer membership in the House of Lords.
Sir: An honorific used before the given name of a British male knight or baronet. Knighthood ordinarily entitles its male recipient to use this style.
Feudalism: A system of political and economic relationships organized around landholding, service, and obligations. Feudal ties helped shape the medieval duties and status later evoked by knighthood.
Investiture: A ceremony that formally confers an office, title, or honor. Knighthood is publicly conferred through an investiture ceremony.
Baronet: A hereditary British title ranking below the peerage and above a knight. Baronetcy is hereditary, while knighthood is a personal honor.
Dame: An honorific used before the given name of a woman appointed to an equivalent British honor. The parallel style marks the equivalent distinction for women.
Chivalry: A code of conduct associated with medieval knights, combining martial ideals with social and religious duties. Its ideals became part of the honor’s lasting cultural associations.
Knight Bachelor: A British knight who is not a member of an order of chivalry. This is one form of knighthood granted directly by the sovereign.

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