Knight these orders has its own criteria for eligibility, but knighthood is generally granted by a head of state, monarch, or prelate to selected persons to recognise some meritorious achievement, as in the British honours system, often for service to the Church or country. The modern female equivalent in the United Kingdom is Dame. Historically, the ideals of chivalry were popularized in medieval literature, particularly the literary cycles known as the Matter of France, relating to the legendary companions of Charlemagne, and the Matter of Britain, relating to the legend of King Arthur. The word "knight", from Old English "cniht" ("boy"
Irish honours system works; business and education; peace, reconciliation and development work. Awards are conferred annually in a process administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Irish honours system Ireland has no formal honours system. Proposals to introduce one have been made by various groups at different times. The Order of St. Patrick, established by the British monarchy in the Kingdom of Ireland in 1783, has been in abeyance for decades. The Constitution mandates that "Titles of nobility shall not be conferred by the State." Irish republicans were opposed to the British honours system from both Irish nationalist antipathy to its Britishness and