The title Dame as the female equivalent to a Knight wasn't introduced until 1917 (although of course there were female Knights before this). This sir/dame title is a very respected and highly sought after title throughout the united kingdom, and it would be an honour to bestow this sir title on those who deserve it.
Male knights are called Sir. Female knights are called Dame. Hundreds of years ago knights were very different. They served an important role in society during the period called the Middle Ages (ad 500–1500).
Between about 1358 and 1488, 68 women were knighted and appointed Ladies of the Garter. Some of the appointed women were either royalty of the wives of knights, but some were neither, indicating that they were knighted on their own merits.
dame, properly a name of respect or a title equivalent to lady, surviving in English as the legal designation for the wife or widow of a baronet or knight or for a dame of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; it is prefixed to the given name and surname.
The title of dame as the official equivalent of knight was introduced in 1917 with the introduction of the Order of the British Empire, and was subsequently extended to the Royal Victorian Order in 1936, the Order of St Michael and St George, and finally the Order of the Bath in 1971.
Spouse of a Knight
The wife of a knight is known as 'Lady', followed by her (husband's) surname (e.g. Lady Smith), and she is addressed as with the wife of a baronet. She would never be styled 'Lady Mary Smith' unless she was the daughter of a Duke, Marquess or Earl.
King/Queen:
Usually addressed as either "Your Grace" or "Your Majesty". Consort (married to a ruler and not reigning in their own right) can be addressed the same. Sire or Madam can be used also.
knight: addressed as Sir Firstname, his wife as Lady Surname; a knighted female is addressed as Dame Firstname, her husband as Mr. Surname, ie he does not share the distinction of his wife. Whereas a baronet title is hereditary, a knighthood is not inherited.
Below the monarch are the various nobles, including dukes, earls, viscounts, barons, and knights. Dukes are the highest-ranking nobles, followed by earls, viscounts, and barons.
The Royal House of Portugal historically bestowed hereditary knighthoods to holders of the highest ranks in the Royal Orders. Today, the head of the Royal House of Portugal Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza, bestows hereditary knighthoods for extraordinary acts of sacrifice and service to the Royal House.
Lady is also the courtesy title for the daughters of the higher-ranking nobles duke, marquess, or earl. The daughters of viscounts and barons are referred to as "The Honorable" (that is, ahem, “The Honourable”), and daughters of baronets or knights are simply called "Miss."
The princess can move as a bishop or a knight.
These nobles were given titles such as Baron, Earl, and Duke, which were passed down through the male line of the family. Barons were the lowest rank of nobility and were granted small parcels of land. Earls were the next highest rank and were responsible for larger territories.
The reason comes from a quirk of British parliamentary law that decrees that a man married to a reigning queen is referred to as a “prince consort” rather than king. In British royalty, the only way to become king is to inherit the title.
A queen consort is the wife of a reigning king, and usually shares her spouse's social rank and status.
What is a damehood? A damehood is the female equivalent of a knighthood and therefore the title Dame is the female equivalent of the title Sir.
If the daughter of a duke marries a peer, she takes his title. If she marries the eldest son of a peer, she takes his title, but in the case of the heir of an earl or lesser peer, she may choose to keep her own title until her husband inherits.
Why can't I move my knight to take the queen?? Because the knight is pinned against your king. (If you could move it, it would leave your king in check. You can't do that.)
The knight captures by landing on the square of the opposing piece. The knight cannot land on a square occupied by a piece of the same color. Since the knight's movement is not in a straight line, it can attack a queen, bishop, or rook without being reciprocally attacked by that piece.
The Order of the Hatchet. There is a case of a clearly military order of knighthood for women. It is the order of the Hatchet (orden de la Hacha) in Catalonia. It was founded in 1149 by Raymond Berenger, count of Barcelona, to honor the women who fought for the defense of the town of Tortosa against a Moor attack.
Wife of a knight (courtesy titles)
The wife of a knight may use the courtesy title of “Lady” before her surname, provided she uses her husband's surname. For example, the wife of Sir John Smith is: Lady Smith.
In modern Britain, an earl is a member of the peerage, ranking below a marquess and above a viscount. A feminine form of earl never developed; instead, countess is used.
Attenborough received his first knighthood from Queen Elizabeth in 1985. Sir David Attenborough was knighted—again! —today. In 1985, Queen Elizabeth awarded Attenborough with the Knights Bachelor honor.
What is a CBE? Standing for Commander of the Order of the British Empire, the CBE is the highest ranking Order of the British Empire award (excluding a knighthood/damehood), followed by OBE and then MBE.