Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} The Sword Book One of the Knights of Naren by M.C. Ewen What is the difference between an MBE, CBE, OBE and a knighthood? THE Queen always issues an Honours list every New Year and to mark her birthday. Public figures and everyday heroes - such as World War Two veteran Captain Sir Tom Moore - are recognised by the Queen with an MBE, OBE or CBE. But what are these prestigious awards? Here's all you need to know. What’s the difference between an MBE, OBE and CBE? The British honours system rewards people with Honours, Decorations and Medals in public recognition of their merit, service or bravery. The most well-known awards represent different ranks in the Order of the British Empire. Instituted in 1917 by George V, these awards were created during the First World War to reward services to the war effort by people not on the front line. However, they are now awarded to civilians as well as members of the armed forces. They include (in order of precedence): Knight or Dame of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire GBE, KBE or DBE ( Knight or Dame ): The two senior ranks of the Order of the British Empire are Knight or Dame Grand Cross, and Knight or Dame Commander. Both of these ranks entitle their members to use the title of Sir for men and Dame for women before their forename. This honour is awarded to those who have made major contributions to any activity, usually at national level. Knighthoods and damehoods are traditionally presented with a touch of a sword by the King or Queen. Commander of the Order of the British Empire ( CBE ): This is awarded for having a prominent but lesser role at national level, or a leading role at regional level. You can also get one for a distinguished, innovative contribution to any area. Officer of the Order of the British Empire ( OBE ): This is awarded for having a major local role in any activity, including people whose work has made them known nationally in their chosen area. Member of the Order of the British Empire ( MBE ): Awarded for an outstanding achievement or service to the community. This will have had a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others. Those receiving the accolades are announced a few days before the end of the year and around the Queen's state birthday. Her Majesty celebrates two birthdays each year: her actual birthday on April 21 and her official birthday on (usually) the second Saturday in June. British honour recipients are officially announced in The Gazette. Anyone can nominate someone for an honour on the gov.uk website. Can women be knighted? Women are not knighted but instead are awarded a Damehood. The Gazette states: "The two senior ranks of the Order of the British Empire are Knight or Dame Grand Cross, and Knight or Dame Commander. "Both of these ranks entitle their members to use the title of Sir for men and Dame for women before their forename." Women who are appointed to the Most Noble Order of the Garter or the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle are given the title of Lady rather than Dame - which is used instead of the male title Sir. What are MBEs, OBEs and CBEs awarded for? The honours were created in 1917 by King George V during the First World War as a way of rewarding civilians and servicemen in support positions for their contribution to the war effort. Now they are used to recognise an achievement or service to the community in any area, such as the arts, charity or education. According to the Cabinet Office, a CBE is awarded for having a prominent but lesser role at national level, or a leading role at regional level. You can also get one for a distinguished, innovative contribution to any area. An OBE is awarded for having a major local role in any activity, including people whose work has made them known nationally in their chosen area. An MBE is given for an outstanding achievement or service to the community. This will have had a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others. The New Year's Honours themselves date back to 1890. WHAT CAN PEOPLE GET HONOURS FOR? Making a difference to their community or field of work Enhancing Britain’s reputation Long-term voluntary service Innovation and entrepreneurship Changing things, with an emphasis on achievement Improving life for people less able to help themselves Displaying moral courage. What is the Order of the British Empire? The British honours system actually has several orders, mostly relating to the monarchy, military and colonial officials. But King George V wanted to fill the gap by creating an order which would honour normal people. However, the order has come under some criticism due to its connection with the now extinct British Empire. The Government has considered changing the name to the Order of British Excellence, but on December 29, 2020, said that "empire" will not be replaced. Helen Ewen, head of the Honours Secretariat, said: “There are no plans currently to make changes.” Is a CBE the same as a Sir? The CBE is the third highest of the order's five ranks. But only the top two can use the title of Sir, for a man, or Dame, for a woman. The second highest rank is a KBE or DBE - a Knight or Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The top rank in the Order is a GBE - a Knight or Dame Grand Cross - but these are only given out very rarely. But, confusingly, people can still become a Sir or a Dame without receiving a KBE or a GBE as they can be knighted separately. Sir Elton John, for example, has a CBE but has also been made a Knight Bachelor, along with other celebs such as Sir Bruce Forsyth and Sir Ian McKellen. Only Brits can be made a Knight Bachelor, but foreigners can be awarded an honorary KBE. What does an MBE, OBE or CBE entitle you to? Anyone selected for an honour will be invited to attend an "investiture" ceremony at a royal residence where the Queen, or sometimes Prince Charles, Prince William or Princess Anne, will award them with their insignia - a medal - of the order. This usually takes place a few months after the honours list is announced, but recipients can start using their new title or letters after their name as soon as the awards are announced. Members can also have a special element added to their coat of arms showing their membership of the order. Who made the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours list? A total of 1,495 honours make up the 2020 list, with 414 given to unsung heroes who responded to the coronavirus pandemic. Hundreds of key workers — including nurses, delivery drivers, supermarket staff and volunteers — are among those who receive honours for their selfless and caring deeds. Mary Berry said she was "overwhelmed to receive the very great honour" of being made a Dame. He said: "My mum is the real deserving recipient of the honour." David Suchet received a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to drama and charity after a distinguished history on stage and in TV. Maureen Lipman, 74, has been made a dame for services to charity, entertainment and the arts, after being a regular presence on TV since the 1960s. Lorraine Kelly has bagged a CBE - one of the highest honours. Who is on the Queen's New Year Honours List 2021? A fifth of the gongs — 231 in all — are going to medics, care workers and public sector stalwarts leading the fight against coronavirus. Anne Baker, 106, is the oldest person on the New Year’s Honours — getting an MBE for her fundraising for the NSPCC. Lewis Hamilton is awarded a Knighthood while Jimmy Greaves receives an MBE. The Sword: Book One of the Knights of Naren by M.C. Ewen. William Eager Howard, physician and Texana collector, was born in San Antonio in 1877 to Henry Peyton Howard and Lee Weir. He graduated from the University of Texas Department of Medicine in Galveston (now the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston) in 1897. Over the years Howard collected Texana books, documents, early currency, manuscripts, art and newspapers that he donated to museums and libraries. Howard was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Knights of San Jacinto, the Commission for the San Jacinto Battleground and the commission to locate the battleship Texas at San Jacinto and was the president of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and was a member of many other organizations. Howard served in the Spanish American War and became surgeon general of the Spanish-American Veterans of the United States. Howard retired from practice in 1942. He and his wife, Augusta had a son and a daughter. Howard died in Dallas on February 21, 1948. George (Jorge) Fisher was born in April 1795 in Hungary and was named Djordje Ribar by his Serbian parents. In 1814, he sailed to America, arriving in Philadelphia, and assumed the English version of his name, George Fisher. In 1825, Fisher traveled to Mexico where he became a Mexican citizen and contracted to settle five hundred families. In 1829, he was appointed collector of customs at Galveston and in 1830 he was recognized as administrator of the port of Galveston.