896. The knighthood

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896knight

An announcement was made. The government had made a recommendation, and the Queen herself had approved (she had no choice). Thomas Barry McLeod was to receive a knighthood. He not only had a lifetime of playing ice hockey in the country’s top team, but he had made a sizeable donation to the local soup kitchen that fed the homeless. Sir Thomas McLeod!

Sir Thomas McLeod has a certain ring to it! It was as if, when his parents had named him, they knew he would be destined for greatness, and had selected a name that would sound grand when appendaged with a title. Sir Thomas McLeod!

Gregory John Greenwell also played ice hockey and had made a donation to the soup kitchen. He didn’t get a knighthood. No one had really heard of him.

Sir Thomas McLeod was interviewed. He said: “I am extremely humbled to receive a knighthood.”

Gregory Greenwell was also interviewed (for no apparent reason). He said: “I am extremely humiliated not to receive a knighthood.”

To listen to the story being read click HERE!

32 thoughts on “896. The knighthood”

        1. Bruce Goodman Post author

          I had to write something once to support some lower-down award and it was a considerable bother. It has put me off recommending you for the Order of the Bath – or should that simply be Ordering you to have a Bath?

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        1. Cynthia Jobin

          There isn’t even a snowball’s chance in hell for a hick from the sticks of Maine to ever get dubbed. At least you commenwealthians are not completely shut out from ever being honoured (I had to fight with auto-correct to spell it) by becoming a Sir or a Dame…..Sir Bruce Goodman…..Dame Pauline King…..they both have a nice ring…

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          1. Bruce Goodman Post author

            Oh – but you United Statesians disguise your titles – you always keep the highest title ever used, e.g. Secretary Colin Powell. Where as, for example, Queen Beatrix of Holland is now (having abdicated) simply Princess Beatrix. So… Professor Cynthia Jobin…. !

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            1. Cynthia Jobin

              “Professor,” makes me shudder, so does “Doctor,” so do “Ms., “Miss” and “Mrs.” (the latter by people who think I look like I’ve been married.) I hate titles of every kind. They often “elevate” people in a way that gives no real information, that pigeon-holes people, and closes-off honest communication. They also only impress people who don’t know you and who are silly enough to be impressed by titles.

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  5. southamptonoldlady

    I see what you are getting at but knighthoods don’t quite work like that though. The House of ‘Lords’ consists of peers that have titles handed down. These are usually with ridiculous double-barrelled names, but also includes those who have served as MPs for a long time or those that have helped businesses in the UK like Alan Sugar. Other knighthoods such as OBE & MBE which the Queen awards, apart from Olympic medal winners are more likely to be actors and rock stars like Mick Jagger who could live in America and make lots of money but choose to stay in the UK and pay enormous taxes.

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    1. Bruce Goodman Post author

      Oh – in New Zealand an OBE (Other’s Bloody Effort) and MBE (My Bloody Effort) are not regarded as knighthoods. I thought the “House of Lords” in Britain these day were positions the “Lords” paid for.

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      1. southamptonoldlady

        Love the meanings there. Knighthoods are people knighted by the Queen, they can be Lords, Sir or just honourable people (MBE). There are lots of Lords whose titles usually go with land that gets handed down these are the double-barrelled name brigade. The original land-owner was once knighted by a monarch from ancient history, as it gets handed down they do not get knighted by the Queen. Lately these landowners have been selling a square meter of land so that people can buy a title of Lord and can change their name by deed pole – these do not get knighted either. The House of Lords is a select group of Lords (not any Lord can attend), commoners can be invited to join (usually big business people) and they are then knighted by the Queen. None of these pay to become a member of the House of Lords. In fact we pay them – they rack up enormous expenses for us taxpayers and we don’t even vote for them: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25411182

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      2. southamptonoldlady

        P.S This is not to be confused with the House of Commons, who we vote for, these make most of the policy that is approved of by the House of Lords (most of the time) – they have disapproved of the government taxing the poor disabled to pay the rich healthy just recently – so there must be a bit of guilt operating there!

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