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Knighthoods under hammer
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Thursday 19th Jul 2001.
ANYONE who feels that being a Mr or a Mrs does not reflect their true status will get the chance to change things at an auction later this month.
Knightships are going on sale at Hillditch Auctioneers in Malmesbury on July 28, giving commoners the chance to elevate their status to Sir or Dame.
The five knightships are being sold for charity and although they are not knighthoods as given by the Queen, they will give the owners the same title.
"Each successful bidder will receive full knightship title deeds which will legally entitle them to be designated Sir or Dame," said managing director Michael Hillditch.
The knightships originate from the Company of the Plantagenet Toxophilites, which was first granted the custodianship of 250 field knightships by Sir William Wood in the 17th century.
Plantagenets were the kings of England in the 14th century, while toxophilite is a Greek word for archer or bowman.
The title deeds are currently held by Lord Charles Buchanan Turner of Lincolnshire, who plans to donate the proceeds to children's charities.
Auctions of knightship deeds in the past have raised up to £3,000.
Other items in the auction will include a rare 1930 Koehier Escoffier tricycle, a mahogany apothecary's bench and an Edwardian oval display table.
Viewing will be available the previous day, Friday July 27 from 10am to 7pm.
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