O.K. so let’s pretend you wanted to become a knight. Where would you go? What would you do? The reality is actually pretty tough. I just checked the Newswire for news about people knighted by the queen of England. What I found was a couple of “fallen” (polite word for dead) soldiers, are to be knighted in a couple weeks. There was an article about a scientist who recently died who was knighted by the queen 1981, an article about singer Tom Jones (Sir Tom), and a player and coach of “rugby?” who was knighted. So, where do I take that? I have no idea.
These are knights in the ancient sense. They are not warriors and protectors of the kingdom (except the fallen soldiers). Most of the knighting we hear about today are conferred upon people for showing excellence in some area. Often times this is arts (Sir Elton John ) or science (Sir Joseph Flavelle). The sports reward was new to me, but I am not a fan of most British sports. Also, knighting in this case comes from a government. Particularly a government with a monarchy. That makes England the obvious choice for the media (also not bad for Canadians who still live under the rule of the queen).
However, that pretty much rules out any government which lack a monarch…like the US. Also, you see the knighthood is more of a reward for doing something else. It is not knighthood in the traditional visual image that we all can see. Nobody (hopefully) imagines Elton John as the defender of the nation. He’d look cute with all the feathers, over a suit of armour.
So, where else can one be knighted? Well, an internet search will reveal a variety of “false countries and false claims” on real or imaginary property which will allow people to become knights of that area. This is usually designed with a significant cost. But, I could become a knight of Pomerania and Livonia (called a micro nation, or a nation in exile- meaning it doesn’t exist). There are companies which will sell you the legal title “sir”, since there is limited means to keep anyone from being called whatever they want. Remember the musician “formerly known as Prince”?
You could join a society for creative anachronism (SCA) those are places where you go an play ancient knights, lords and ladies. That might be kinda fun, but again, we are looking for real, not for playing.
You find out pretty quick this task is not easy.
There was one other group which had knights as well. That group was the church. People might remember the knights Templar or the Knights of hospitality. Although today both of these orders have been absorbed by the secretive society (The Masons), there is still a sense that the church did (and to some extent still does) have the right to appoint knights. However which church would?
I was a member of the Mennonite Brethren denomination. Not your classic knight warrior group (historic pacifists). I have been a member of other churches that have folded, and I was raised in a non-denominational church, so none of these are helping much. I believe as most people do, an orthodox view of Christianity, but that leaves a lot of room. Also, don’t know of any churches which appoint “knights” in that ancient traditional sense…or at least until last year.
The Celtic church (claiming to hold to the ancient orthodox teachings), the church history would be pre-Roman Catholic (although the Roman Catholic church does not affirm this). It can certainly be said that this church would exist prior to the Roman Catholic domination of the western world found in the Middle ages. So, based on these items I asked to join and was accepted. As I said in earlier posts, there has been almost no response from the Celtic Church. I think the two leaders who contacted me have moved onto something else. I do hope and anticipate that I will officially be chosen as their representative for Canada, but if I never do hear from them I will have to simple start this order independent of their initial work.
The role of the knight is noble. It is filled with hopes an aspirations. It is not an image which one should allow to die out. It embodies a challenge. It is a high goal in a world which endorses the least common denominator. It is a Godly pursuit. It is a physical pursuit. It is like the American slogan for the army “Be all that you can be”. By the grace of God, we will strive for that. Just wanted to share a few ideas there. God’s grace to you and yours, -Brother Bradley Avi
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