# Criteria for Knighthood **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 9, 2000, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criteria-for-knighthood/5951 "2000-01-09T07:20:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2000, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criteria-for-knighthood/5951/1 "2000-01-09T07:20:00Z")
I just read that the admitted wife batterer, Sean Connery, has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II (or will be shortly). I have several questions about this, one of which is; based on what criteria is someone knighted? What did Sean Connery do, or have to do, to qualify for this honor? One would think that having openly stated that he not only feels it’s acceptable, but also necessary, to smack your wife around from time to time to keep her in line, would prove him to be a _dis_honorable man and therefore unworthy of a title such as this. Or does it have nothing whatsoever to do with the kind of man you are, but some sort of rank you’ve attained through good works or something? I’d also like to understand why his not having been knighted before this was an embarrassing situation for Britain’s Labor government. Does it have something to do with having been “eligible,” but denied the honor because of his support of the Scottish National Party’s bid for independence? Or is it just that the Scots _think_ he should have been honored in spite of his political views, whether eligible or not? Then; what does one do with one’s title after it’s bestowed? Does it afford him any privileges or perks outside of being referred to as Sir Sean Connery? If so, what would those be? And lastly, does it sicken anyone else that this creepazoid (fine actor though he may be) has been honored in such a way? And it’s not just by the Queen of England. He’s also a member of France’s Legion of Honor and a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors here in the U.S. What the heck does he keep getting honored so much for? I mean, he’s just an actor for heaven’s sake. Unless he’s involved in some kind of humanitarian cause(s) of which I’m unaware. I just don’t get it. Can anyone enlighten me, please? * * * “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” - Anne Frank ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2000, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criteria-for-knighthood/5951/2 "2000-01-09T12:20:00Z")
Usually actors get knighted for ‘Services towards the Entertainment Industry’. It’s really just a title, nothing else, and it acknowledges that he’s still alive, still entertaining, and considered pretty darned good at it. You won’t find a knighted entertainer under sixty, usually, though Cliff Richard got his (for the music biz, of course) when he was quite young. Just to show off, my brother’s Father-in-Law is a Knight. He got knighted for services towards Politics, I think. * * * **-PIGEONMAN-** Returning Soon! [The Legend Of PigeonMan](http://www.hotkey.net.au/~guanolad/pigeonman/) - **Watch this space…!** Great things are afoot! ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2000, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criteria-for-knighthood/5951/3 "2000-01-10T06:37:00Z")
I’m not sure what the official criteria are (if any), but in practical terms they seem to be mainly just a recognition of extraordinary achievement (or extraordinary popularity). Actors, musicians, and football players can all be eligible. Kinda like the Oscars’ Lifetime Achievement Award. Connery was up for a knighthood a couple years ago but it was denied, allegedly because of his support for the SNP. (The British government denies this but everyone else seems to believe it, for whatever that’s worth.) If he gets one now it’s probably just because the government is sick of the whole controversy. It still strikes me as odd that a Scottish nationalist would want a British knighthood, though. ---
**Author:** ![Ursa\_Major](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a88e57/32.png) [@Ursa\_Major](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ursa_Major)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2000, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criteria-for-knighthood/5951/4 "2000-01-09T19:20:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Cavalier Code of Chivalry: - 1. A strict and rigorous code of conduct and hindrances that some knights choose to follow. These are very common codes: > > Fight all opponents face to face whenever possible. Do not attack a worthy opponent from a distance unless it threatening innocents or when it is impossible to fight it face to face. > > Attack the largest, most powerful enemy on the field, dispatching the smaller, weaker ones as quickly as possible. > > Maintain all equipment in top shape and always opt for better equipment when time and funds allow. Plate is considered better than any magical leather armor. > > Perform all noble services or quests asked. > Defend to the death all who are placed under your charge. > > Show courage and enterprise when obeying superiors, supervisors and rulers. > > Show respect for all peers and equals; honor those above your station and demand respect from those beneath your station. > > Scorn those who are lowly or ill-mannered and use not that which is shoddy, inferior or badly-made. > > Perform all military tasks asked from your lord. > > **Show courtesy to all females as if they are ladies, unless they prove to be truly ill-mannered.** > > War is the flowering of chivalry; a noble enterprise, battle is the test of manhood and combat is glorious. > > Achieve personal glory in combat slaying all who oppose your cause. > > Death before dishonor. I guess Sir Sean has a taste for truely ill-mannered women.