The times., 1897-05-30
'How ! Was Knighted," by Sir
Richard Tangye.
AND HOW HE HAD TO GROVEL
The Trip of the Knights to Windsor
ana Their Reception rhere-Her
ed Like Cattie-Hot Rice Pudding.
Stroke of the Royal Sword-and
the Bill.

| the IN ntended honor usually comes from the
prime minister, who briefly states the
groundson which it is proposed TO conferit.
| In my case Lord Rosebery was good enough
| To indicate the services had rendered the
cause OF art education in Birmingham as
reason why L should accept the distinction.
Having accepted it, I received an intiIna-
ton from the nome secretary that was ex-
pected at Windsor on the 5tnof July, 1 s94,
by the 1 o clock train from Paddington, and
that special carriages had been reserved for
the use of those who, like myself, were go-
ing do wn TO be kuighted. Arriving at PAD
dington in good time, soon discovered the
Windsor train, and presently found myself
taking part in little comedy along with
other 'knights-expectant-" Several gen
tlemen We're walking up and down the plat
formin an apparently mconcerned manner,
after having scrutinized the labels On the
carriage windows, while others were some
what nervousiy questioning the porteTs.
Having made sure OF the carriages while
only two or three people were about went
to the other side OF the platform and pre-
tended To have no further interest In the
matter, all the while keeping my eye on the
steadily increasing number of arrivals.
Presently two gentlemen passed me, and
heard one say: I'm sure he's one,'' and
then had no doubt that they were bent
on the same errand. Windsor train. gem
tIeman,' said the guard; so we took our
seats and began to look at each other
At Windsor station we found carriages
a ayUa ne a nd rrer IN
the castle, being set down at "a principal
entrance. There was no one TO receive
US. and no response to the beII-pulling. so
we ventured to open the door and entered
unlimited; still no one came TO US, so we
we dlvested ourselves of our overcoats AMI
hats, and became quite at home until we
should be discovered Presently a very fine
specimen OF the ''gentleman's gentleman
came rapidly down a staircase, saying in
rather naughty manner:
Gentlemen, gentlemen, this is not the
way int But we were in, and did not
offer To 20 out again, so he took Us along
gallery TO another entrance hall, where
we left our hats, etc. Then we were taken
through some more galleries, In one of
which ] met Lord Rosebery, to whom I
had previously ybeenintroduced. After lit
MIN thatmy daughter had informed me that
I reminded her of the lnngestday, becauseI
was stheshortestknightl You know ! am not
tail.l He said il was very good, and a the
same time very bad OF her.
Presently we were summoned to luncheon,
which was laid in one of the galleries, and
served on silver plates. 1t was a very nice
cold collation., ending with an excellent
rs.,s
sitting nextto me had evident formed ex-
tTayagantideaso OF whatroya grapes should
be, for he said in somewhat grumbiing
tones, that me- grew better al home
After luncheon We were marshaIled in a
room adjoining the Queens small audience
chamber, and were then given few ins struc-
tions as TO the order of proceeding. Rutb
fore going down to Windsor ha taken the
precaution to interview a gentleman who
had already gone through the ordeal. and so
was quite prepared for 1t.
Her majesty being now ready to receive
rs, we were ushered into her presence one
at a time. Ny tmn was thetwelfth; hence
one ofmy friend ds has dubhedme the Twelfth
Knight. The equerry took me to The door
of the apartment, and then left me. twas
a lofty room not very large, being perhaps
lOuS anu OI a Corresponding
width. The Queen was seated on a rerylOw
seat at the end OF the apartmentOppositeth the
door; behind her the ladiesIn waiting were
arranged in a seniciIcle, some of the pIir-
cesses being ON her left, and the lords-in-
waiting and Duke of York on her right hand.
On entering gave my best tow" and,
advancing few steps, stopped and bowed
again, when l was introduced 10 her
majesty tmy name being pronounced
wrongly. another bow on closely ap-
preaching her, and then dropping on my
left knee extended the right hand, back
uppermost, for the Queen has great OBJ
lection To moist palms The Queen then
laid her right hand-a very little, plump
one-uron mine, and / kissed it.
Then she took sword-dreadful mo-
nient-and smote me ever so gently en-
my left shoulder, saying in very low. sweet
and soft tones, Rise, Sir Richard" and I
became e 'dubhed' knight, but not
''helted" one, as nowadays knights have
to find their own belts
Then came very difficult part OF the
ceremony; I had To retire from the pres
ence backwards. Now, 1 had alw avs. been
going forwards during my previous life,
and was somewhat doubtful as to how /
should perform this retrograde movement
remembered the fate of the Mayor of Truro,
who, having presented an address to the
Queen on hoard her yacht in Falmouth Har-
Dor, walked backwards into the sea How
ever, stepped back q pace. aud, having
steadied myself. bowed, then another half
a-dozen PAGES, bowing again. and after re-
peating the operation once more, to my
great relief found myself at the door
On getting out into the gallery the gen.
tlemen whose turn had not yet arrived
crowded around me, wanting to know all
about 1t, but got away. Carriages were
again ia waiting to take us back to the sta
ton, but preferring to walk. and "a servant
having helped me to my overcoat. | left the
castle.
When however, I got TO the station. the
man came painting after me, saying he had
given me he wrong coat, so having changed
it for my own and giving him half a crown,
telling him there was whole one at the
castle, he thanked me, hoping he should
.'have the honor OF waiting upon me again.
and departed none the worse for the days
experience.
But his wasuot the endo ( my experiences.
A few days after nv return from Windsor
/ received an intimation from gentleman
writing from the office of THE Poarsi ar
Green Cloth,'' inviting me to pay the sum
of f25, or thereabouJs, as fees for himself
and his grace the Duke of - About he
same time, as may be guessed, also re-
ceived a number of begging letters. -SiY
Richard Tangye in Chambers Journal