ModernChivalry.org
Miscellaneous => The Sallyport => Topic started by: Sir Edward on 2010-11-04, 19:10:34
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http://www.knightforhire.com/ (http://www.knightforhire.com/)
Heh, interesting. This dude hires himself out to give talks about knights, attend weddings, etc. He's been "dubbed" by Mayors, and has a webpage listing them all.
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Yea, I came across this guy's site a few years back....it wasn't nearly as elaborate back then as it is now. This used to be his main site image: http://www.knightforhire.com/images/large2.jpg
The one I remember the most. I remember it because I thought the suit looked grand, even tho he used a wallhanger sword to complete it. I guess because a lot of people attribute the 'knight in shining armor' with King Arthur so why not use a version of Excalibur, right?
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That's cool, it looks like he went to a photography studio to have that done. That excalibur certainly is photogenic. I own one too. Definitely a wall hanger though!
I sent him an email to let him know about our forum here.
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I found that site a while back as well. Looks pretty cool, and he's in my neck of the woods!
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I think what he's doing is a prime example of a grassroots campaign...he's not waiting for the interested or curious to come to him, he's bringing it to them, to the classrooms, the assemblages. His behavior in this regard is knightly, as he spreads the knowledge of knighthood to the 'ignorant' and 'unwashed' masses.
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thats pretty bad assed. cool thanks for the link
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Wow. I thought it looked mildly familiar, and then I saw the tribute to his father page. I saw that site probably a decade ago or more. Very impressive that he's moved forward and seems to have done well for himself on that. The story of his father hits pretty close to home, my father lost his father when he was very young, and one of my biggest fears is to leave my child(ren) (when I have them, of course) when they are still young.
It's interesting that he mentions how the US can knight people, and not just England. Anyone know if there's any logic/truth to that? It's a bit hypocritical, but I feel like knighting in england is mostly hollow in this day and age. Elton John? Patrick Stewart? Paul McCartney? Alfred Hitchcock? Seems there are innumerable others deserving of that honor, like the ones who perform feats of heroism and get little more than the requisite "15 minutes of fame", if even that....
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Knighthood these days is just like getting a medal, the significance is lost for the most part. So why not? What is required to be able to give the accolade? I gave the accolade to my best man before my wedding so he could stand beside me, even though I have never received it myself. Your thoughts, knights?
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Knighthood has evolved a lot. Believe it or not, there are many European nations that have an unbroken tradition of knighthood, including specific Orders that have existed for centuries. In England, they have more than one form of it, including the Order of the Garter which has only a very specific number of "seats" that it keeps filled. In all of these cases, it's a title that has the much later connotation of what knighthood was, that it was evolving into during the Renaissance.
I agree, most of the general knightings we see in England today aren't what they used to be. To me it almost seems like it's a desperate attempt by their royalty to remain relevant in popular culture. I mean, Bill Gates? Really?
As for the idea of titles and knighthood in the US, there's some wiggle-room here. The constitution prevents the government from officially offering or sanctioning titles. However, there's nothing to stop private citizens from doing what they want in this regard, or private organizations (religious institutions, fraternal organizations, clubs, Orders, etc) from using whatever names and titles they wish. You can still be knighted by a foreign power, but the US government is disallowed from giving you any special treatment due to it. Royal bloodlines can live within our borders and retain their "royalty" in the eyes of the world.
So being knighted by town mayors doesn't carry any force of law behind it, but there's nothing to stop anyone from having a ceremony and using the word "sir" if they want to. In the UK I think you'd still be OK to do this within a private organization, but they have legal titles in their country, so going around calling yourself "sir" in a public context there would be a bad idea.
So I think you can call yourself a "real" knight if you've been knighted by someone else who is a "real" knight, or by one the of the orders or royalty in an existing unbroken tradition or bloodline, or if you're in a private organization that uses the title. The latter is an important point, I think, as that can include the various knightly groups that have sprung up all over the place.
In the end, what is "real" anyway? We are, after all, talking about a word being attached to a human being that is 99.999% genetically identical to every other human being. :)
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Well, for my part, knighthood was never conferred upon me, I assumed that mantle years ago- as a child it was an aspiration I never totally forgot and as an adult, I espouse many of the chivalric ideals and try to live them. Does this make me a knight? As far as I'm concerned, it does.
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Well, for my part, knighthood was never conferred upon me, I assumed that mantle years ago- as a child it was an aspiration I never totally forgot and as an adult, I espouse many of the chivalric ideals and try to live them. Does this make me a knight? As far as I'm concerned, it does.
I think for our purposes, that yes, of course it does. We're as knightly as we choose to be.
And heck, as being part of western culture, it's part of our own cultural heritage. A legacy that we've all inherited.
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Agreed. I've been considering plotting my genealogy...on my Mom's side we're pretty sure there's some Celtic influence...as she was adopted there's been no real way to tell. She hasn't been able to contact anyone in her original family as far as I know. I keep fantasizing that I'm descended from some obscure branch of nobility in Ireland or Scotland. A man can dream. :)
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hehehe, just no kilts with katanas ;) hahhaha
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RIGHT. I never was a true Highlander fan...I guess the tv show killed it for me. Methos had the most awful looking sword I ever saw- sure, it was shiny and solid looking, and totally garish to my eyes.
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"There should have been only one." : ;D
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Well, I heard back from him. He said he looked over the website, etc. Very devoutly religious, as he described it over several paragraphs. Nothing wrong with that of course, just was surprised at the emphasis in reply to my casual inquiry. Haven't seen him sign up for the forum though.
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Re: highlander, McLeod actually started with a generically scottish style sword. Ramirez, his "trainer"/friend, had the katana made by Masamune at some point, I believe he married Masamune's daughter? At some point in the story, Ramirez dies, and McLeod takes up the katana as his weapon of choice. It's a bit ironic, as throughout the training sequences, McLeod is showing flailing about in the "typical" scottish barbarianish style we're used to seeing, and Ramirez tells him he's "no more effective than a small child" (or something to that effect).
I do agree that we are mostly talking titles, and if there's no legal reason we can't call ourselves a knight, it's up to us to do so if we choose. I'd feel a bit more special if someone else conferred it to me. I was knighted at Medieval Times for my 21st birthday; I guess that counts. :)
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Very devoutly religious, as he described it over several paragraphs. Haven't seen him sign up for the forum though.
I wonder how he came to that conclusion? I didn't read anything overly religious since my coming here.
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Very devoutly religious, as he described it over several paragraphs. Haven't seen him sign up for the forum though.
I wonder how he came to that conclusion? I didn't read anything overly religious since my coming here.
Actually I meant he's very religious, not that he thought our site was. He definitely is a Warrior of God, so to speak.
Re: highlander, McLeod actually started with a generically scottish style sword. Ramirez, his "trainer"/friend, had the katana made by Masamune at some point, I believe he married Masamune's daughter? At some point in the story, Ramirez dies, and McLeod takes up the katana as his weapon of choice. It's a bit ironic, as throughout the training sequences, McLeod is showing flailing about in the "typical" scottish barbarianish style we're used to seeing, and Ramirez tells him he's "no more effective than a small child" (or something to that effect).
Heh, yeah Highlander. Ahh, Highlander. :) I grew up with it, and was a huge fan of the TV series. The interesting thing is that neither version of McLeod was ever a knight, but Duncan (from the series) is very knightly throughout, since he's always the utmost of integrity and honor, and defends the weak.
It's funny, when I first saw the first film, I had thought it was really cool sword combat and all that. Now that I've learned a thing or two, I cringe at a lot of the combat in the movie. There's almost no edge control in some of those fights, particularly at the end when he cuts off Kurgan's head with the flat. :)
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Oh, I get it...well, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Religion and knighthood have been bound for centuries; I can definitely get behind that. For myself, I'm not religious, but I am spiritual and my faith is nigh-unshakeable. Easy, really...just look around you; if you can believe all of this is a cosmic accident- I have a bridge for sale I think you'd like. ;)
Highlander...a cult classic. I must admit, the first two were good movies, entertaining- didn't care for the tv series though, or the latter two movies. I hear its up for a remake, so it should be interesting to see what direction they take it. I always found the combat to be cheesy, even when I knew next to nothing about swordplay.
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This was probably some good publicity for him. It's a shame this news clip is a little bit mocking.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bNKonP_AaQ[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bNKonP_AaQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bNKonP_AaQ)
This one is more respectful: :)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCT1ioOAC6c[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCT1ioOAC6c (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCT1ioOAC6c)
And this...
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTNhr_Yr42I[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTNhr_Yr42I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTNhr_Yr42I)
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They mocked him because he was there by himself promoting chivalry- I daresay it would not have been so had there been all of us with him. :)
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Huzzah! You have found my Inspiration to Knighthood! Well Done!
Knighthood has evolved a lot. Believe it or not, there are many European nations that have an unbroken tradition of knighthood, including specific Orders that have existed for centuries. In England, they have more than one form of it, including the Order of the Garter which has only a very specific number of "seats" that it keeps filled. In all of these cases, it's a title that has the much later connotation of what knighthood was, that it was evolving into during the Renaissance.
You Sir Edward are correct on this. This just comes to show that Knighthood in England is more of a fancy title that you can play around as if it meant nothing to you. (WRONG!)
I agree, most of the general knightings we see in England today aren't what they used to be. To me it almost seems like it's a desperate attempt by their royalty to remain relevant in popular culture. I mean, Bill Gates? Really?
Oh YES! I mean, the men here do not follow real Chivalry so why give Knighthood to "Traitor Knights"
As for the idea of titles and knighthood in the US, there's some wiggle-room here. The constitution prevents the government from officially offering or sanctioning titles. However, there's nothing to stop private citizens from doing what they want in this regard, or private organizations (religious institutions, fraternal organizations, clubs, Orders, etc) from using whatever names and titles they wish. You can still be knighted by a foreign power, but the US government is disallowed from giving you any special treatment due to it. Royal bloodlines can live within our borders and retain their "royalty" in the eyes of the world.
So being knighted by town mayors doesn't carry any force of law behind it, but there's nothing to stop anyone from having a ceremony and using the word "sir" if they want to. In the UK I think you'd still be OK to do this within a private organization, but they have legal titles in their country, so going around calling yourself "sir" in a public context there would be a bad idea.
So I think you can call yourself a "real" knight if you've been knighted by someone else who is a "real" knight, or by one the of the orders or royalty in an existing unbroken tradition or bloodline, or if you're in a private organization that uses the title. The latter is an important point, I think, as that can include the various knightly groups that have sprung up all over the place.
Yep, we Americans have the Freedom and Right to grant unto anyone who is deemed worthy of Knighthood (based on character and merit or service to community and country, can be through the military or through this service). Even though it may not be the norm to address someone as "Sir" but walking the Chivalric Walk is what makes anyone a real Knight, someone who knows and understands the Value of Honor, Loyalty and Truth in a degraded society.
I think what he's doing is a prime example of a grassroots campaign...he's not waiting for the interested or curious to come to him, he's bringing it to them, to the classrooms, the assemblages. His behavior in this regard is knightly, as he spreads the knowledge of knighthood to the 'ignorant' and 'unwashed' masses.
yep, that is true. That is a Chivalrous Deed in itself. Educating young people with the truth rather than "edited" History.
It's interesting that he mentions how the US can knight people, and not just England. Anyone know if there's any logic/truth to that? It's a bit hypocritical, but I feel like knighting in england is mostly hollow in this day and age. Elton John? Patrick Stewart? Paul McCartney? Alfred Hitchcock? Seems there are innumerable others deserving of that honor, like the ones who perform feats of heroism and get little more than the requisite "15 minutes of fame", if even that....
You are right on this Sir Red (lol!) The Accolade in Engalnd has turned into nothing but a emblem of moral vanity.
Well, for my part, knighthood was never conferred upon me, I assumed that mantle years ago- as a child it was an aspiration I never totally forgot and as an adult, I espouse many of the chivalric ideals and try to live them. Does this make me a knight? As far as I'm concerned, it does.
Out of Honesty, I myself can say that is my reason why real Knighthood is more personal than just a title granted for excellence. I also can say that is how I also took up the mantle during my childhood days. That is how life is to be lived, by living up to the ideals and principles that govern a true Knight
as being part of western culture, it's part of our own cultural heritage. A legacy that we've all inherited.
Yep, this is our heritage that no one cannot mess around or even destroy. This is a legacy that ennobles even children to become the best in their lives.
Well that is my take on this post.
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Yea, I came across this guy's site a few years back....it wasn't nearly as elaborate back then as it is now. This used to be his main site image: http://www.knightforhire.com/images/large2.jpg (http://www.knightforhire.com/images/large2.jpg)
The one I remember the most. I remember it because I thought the suit looked grand, even tho he used a wallhanger sword to complete it. I guess because a lot of people attribute the 'knight in shining armor' with King Arthur so why not use a version of Excalibur, right?
Sir William, I like the profile change. You either look like a divine Templar or a knight too dumb to realize your armor makes you a good electrical conductor. LOL :) At 20,000 jiggawatts, your armor will certainly be shining. ;D