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"
Doing the Honours to a High Table dinner at the college. The next morning, Hacker meets with Sir Humphrey and tells him of his plan to withhold honours. The Permanent Secretary is dumbstruck. Hacker points out that anyone else would have to earn an honour, whereas in the civil service, such things "come up with the rations". Sir Humphrey struggles to put his case, calling the idea "a Bennite solution" and demanding to know where it came from. Bernard is immediately sheepish, but Hacker does not betray him. Sir Humphrey argues that the honours system should be given a "fair trial", but the