I’M CURIOUS, SOMETIMES
I always thought the title “LADY” was one that was bestowed upon you, not one that you could just bestow upon yourself. I always thought it was kinda like being knighted by the queen, thereby becoming “SIR” SO AND SO. Her LADYSHIP, perhaps?
I’ve been a member of Authors Den for going on two years now and just recently I’ve been noticing that several of my female counterparts have taken to calling themselves “LADY”.
Well, that got me to wondering about that title and I began wondering if anyone can shed some light on it for me.
Some of my questions would be:
A. Were these ladies officially granted that title?
B. Do you become LADY just because you like the ring to it?
C. Does it grant you a higher position when standing in line at a restaurant?
D. Is it part of the name that your parents bestowed upon you?
E. How do I grant my sweetie the title of “LADY?” (Can I go to a website and earn that distinction for her, like so many of today’s preachers and pastors have done?)
That said, I googled the question – “How do you earn the title of "Lady" – This was the response, exactly as printed out ….
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
The only way to 'earn' one is to be created a Lady of the Garter or Lady of the Thistle by the Queen, like Lady Marion Fraser and Lady Mary Soames. In other orders of knighthood, the female equivalent is 'Dame'.
A woman can also become a lady by marrying a knight or baronet (in which case they are called 'Lady (his lastname)', eg: Lady McCartney), or any rank of peer other than a Duke. Dukes and duchesses are never called 'lord' and 'lady', but the four lower ranks of peers, especially barons, can be. If a woman marries the younger son of a duke or a marquess she can be called 'Lady (His name)', like Lady Colin Campbell.
If she receives or inherits her own peerage, she can be called Lady, but they often prefer to be known as 'Baroness' to distinguish them from those who only have their titles through marriage, especially since 1958 when they started sitting in the House of Lords.
Or, a woman can receive it as a courtesy title, as the daughter of a duke, marquess or earl (Lady Firstname Lastname).
I did a Ph.D. on the aristocracy and have been reading about this for 15 years.
So, with that said, I’m still pondering my questions:
F. Are these “Lady’s” the real thing or are they self appointed?
G. Should I be affording them the respect that customarily accompanies that title?
H. If the title is self proclaimed, should I scorn them for miss-representing themselves as something they are not?
I. Or, should I do like I always do, leave it alone and just ignore it?
I’m still pondering……
If, in fact, these ladies are in some way entitled to the respect and distinction we normally associate with that title, I am awed that they take the time to share their works and thoughts with us and I would like to apologize if I have offended them with my questions. However, given that set of circumstances, I feel certain they would applaud the fact that someone would stand up for the sanctity of that title.
If they are not, I am somewhat offended that they would cheapen the title by claiming it undeservedly.