Grant Morrison, MBE
June 16, 2012 7:34 AM Subscribe
It's queen Elizabeth II's official birthday today and she celebrated by making Grant Morrison, writer of St Swithins Day, in which the protagonist sets out to kill Maggie Thatcher, as well as The New Adventures of Hitler, depicting Hitlers adventures in Liverpool being serenaded by Morrisey, a member of the Order of the British Empire.
An MBE is the lowest rank in the Order of the British Empire, established in 1917, the youngest of the British Empire's chivalry orders. It's handed out to people who in one field or another have provided a service to the United Kingdom; in Grant Morrison's case it's for services to film and literature.
The official UK government website has the full honours list (PDF).
Grant Morrison is probably best known for his work on Zenith, Animal Man, Doom Patrol or The Invisibles, all not quite establishment friendly.
An MBE is the lowest rank in the Order of the British Empire, established in 1917, the youngest of the British Empire's chivalry orders. It's handed out to people who in one field or another have provided a service to the United Kingdom; in Grant Morrison's case it's for services to film and literature.
The official UK government website has the full honours list (PDF).
Grant Morrison is probably best known for his work on Zenith, Animal Man, Doom Patrol or The Invisibles, all not quite establishment friendly.
Grant Morrison, whatever, it's SIR Tim Gowers after today.
posted by escabeche at 7:44 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by escabeche at 7:44 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
At least we gave Bob Dylan a Medal of Freedom, not a Medal of the US Empire.
posted by Sidhedevil at 7:44 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Sidhedevil at 7:44 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
"Only the highest two ranks automatically cause an individual to become a knight or dame, an honour allowing the recipient to use the title "Sir" (male) or "Dame" (female) before their first name (though men can be knighted separately from this and other Orders of Chivalry)."
So, sadly, this doesn't yet mean that Grant Morrison is allowed to demand that we call him "Sir", nor is he allowed to engage in the foxhunt depicted in The Invisibles, and he will not yet have seen the Moonchild.
He'll have to go deeper before he can find out whether his abduction/vision was literally or figuratively true.
posted by frimble at 7:46 AM on June 16, 2012 [5 favorites]
So, sadly, this doesn't yet mean that Grant Morrison is allowed to demand that we call him "Sir", nor is he allowed to engage in the foxhunt depicted in The Invisibles, and he will not yet have seen the Moonchild.
He'll have to go deeper before he can find out whether his abduction/vision was literally or figuratively true.
posted by frimble at 7:46 AM on June 16, 2012 [5 favorites]
Armando Ianucci, writer of The Thick of It and Alan Partridge, was also honoured and Alastair Campbell thought he should lock horns with him over it.
It didn't end well for Campbell
posted by notseamus at 7:49 AM on June 16, 2012 [40 favorites]
It didn't end well for Campbell
posted by notseamus at 7:49 AM on June 16, 2012 [40 favorites]
Oh man, this is part of some large sorcery scheme isn't it?
posted by The Whelk at 7:53 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:53 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
Kenneth Branagh got a knighthood and Kate Winslet a CBE, as well.
posted by Guy Smiley at 7:55 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by Guy Smiley at 7:55 AM on June 16, 2012
The first link (forbiddenplanet) has an unusual javascript requesting to agree to some terms before I can use the site (possibly geocoded as it redirected me to a local google site when I disagreed).
Some quick googling indicates the site's possible involvment in credit card fraud.
Just a heads up.
posted by patrick54 at 7:59 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Some quick googling indicates the site's possible involvment in credit card fraud.
Just a heads up.
posted by patrick54 at 7:59 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
I think Knights Bachelor are called Sir, per this reference.
posted by escabeche at 7:59 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by escabeche at 7:59 AM on June 16, 2012
I'm interested in the newly titled Dame Tina Lavender, listed as a Professor of Midwifery, who was damed "For services to Midwifery." That's kind of great; I didn't realize the wide spectrum of people who were honored like this.
posted by redsparkler at 8:00 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by redsparkler at 8:00 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
At least we gave Bob Dylan a Medal of Freedom, not a Medal of the US Empire.
Yes, the Brits are certainly more honest about these things.
posted by flabdablet at 8:01 AM on June 16, 2012 [25 favorites]
Yes, the Brits are certainly more honest about these things.
posted by flabdablet at 8:01 AM on June 16, 2012 [25 favorites]
Touché, flabdablet!
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:08 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:08 AM on June 16, 2012
Ms Jennifer Ann Agutter, for charitable services
Sending an entire generation of British boys into puberty is now considered "charitable."
posted by Etrigan at 8:12 AM on June 16, 2012 [11 favorites]
Sending an entire generation of British boys into puberty is now considered "charitable."
posted by Etrigan at 8:12 AM on June 16, 2012 [11 favorites]
The letters page from The Invisibles #16, in which Morrison asks readers to save the series from cancellation through global chaos sex magic, and maybe also by telling some friends about the comic.
posted by zamboni at 8:12 AM on June 16, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by zamboni at 8:12 AM on June 16, 2012 [4 favorites]
So the queen gets an 'official' birthday, which has nothing to do with her real birthday but is scheduled to correspond with nice weather? Awesome! Myself and everyone else with a January birthday in the northern hemisphere should follow suit.
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 8:14 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 8:14 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
Jenny Agutter has been one of the biggest celebrity supporters of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust; she has a niece who is living with cystic fibrosis. Presumably that's the "charitable service" she's being honored for?
(I mean, I know you were making a joke, but I just wanted to give her her props on that.)
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:15 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
(I mean, I know you were making a joke, but I just wanted to give her her props on that.)
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:15 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
Morrisey is a member of the Order of the British Empire? When did that happen?
posted by hippybear at 8:17 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by hippybear at 8:17 AM on June 16, 2012
/makes MBE sigil.
posted by Artw at 8:18 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 8:18 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
He must have wanked hard for that one
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:24 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:24 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
(Have they ever offered it to Alan Moore? I'm sure his reply would be priceless)
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:25 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:25 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
Sir Warlock of Nottingham.
posted by Artw at 8:26 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 8:26 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
/considers wandering over to the 2000ad board to see if they are complaining about John Wagner not getting one yet.
posted by Artw at 8:27 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by Artw at 8:27 AM on June 16, 2012
(Have they ever offered it to Alan Moore? I'm sure his reply would be priceless)
My thoughts exactly.
posted by Navelgazer at 8:27 AM on June 16, 2012
My thoughts exactly.
posted by Navelgazer at 8:27 AM on June 16, 2012
I know the list is on advice of government, which makes me wonder how Ianucci and Morrison got in at this time.
posted by immlass at 8:28 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by immlass at 8:28 AM on June 16, 2012
Digby Richard LIDSTONE-SCOTT
Publisher, Pig World Magazine. For
services to the Pig Industry.
Hamish Telfer ADAM
For services to Karate.
Rosemary May, Mrs SANDALL
For charitable services in Chernobyl,
Ukraine and services to Carers.
Patricia, Mrs CARTER
Waitress. For services to the Hospitality
Industry.
Richard John WEST
For services to Philately.
Kenneth Alfred POWELL
Convenor, British Standards Institute. For
services to the UK Window Blind Industry.
posted by Jehan at 8:29 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Publisher, Pig World Magazine. For
services to the Pig Industry.
Hamish Telfer ADAM
For services to Karate.
Rosemary May, Mrs SANDALL
For charitable services in Chernobyl,
Ukraine and services to Carers.
Patricia, Mrs CARTER
Waitress. For services to the Hospitality
Industry.
Richard John WEST
For services to Philately.
Kenneth Alfred POWELL
Convenor, British Standards Institute. For
services to the UK Window Blind Industry.
posted by Jehan at 8:29 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Grant Morrison, whatever, it's SIR Tim Gowers after today.
Oh that's great! I had't heard that. Very much deserved.
I know the list is on advice of government, which makes me wonder how Ianucci and Morrison got in at this time.
There are committees that recommend people. Ianucci will have been recommended by the entertainment committee.
posted by atrazine at 8:30 AM on June 16, 2012
Oh that's great! I had't heard that. Very much deserved.
I know the list is on advice of government, which makes me wonder how Ianucci and Morrison got in at this time.
There are committees that recommend people. Ianucci will have been recommended by the entertainment committee.
posted by atrazine at 8:30 AM on June 16, 2012
Possibly, for the first time ever, I find myself agreeing with Alastair Campbell because you really can't be a proper satirist whilst accepting the establishment's baubles
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:32 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:32 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
The first link (forbiddenplanet) has an unusual javascript requesting to agree to some terms before I can use the site (possibly geocoded as it redirected me to a local google site when I disagreed).
That's just Article 5(3) of the EU Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications at work. Hurray!
posted by zamboni at 8:35 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
That's just Article 5(3) of the EU Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications at work. Hurray!
posted by zamboni at 8:35 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Zaha Hadid got a CBE for services to architecture.
posted by atrazine at 8:39 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by atrazine at 8:39 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Morrison asks readers to save the series from cancellation through global chaos sex magic.
Yeah, that was one wild weekend.
posted by MartinWisse at 8:42 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Yeah, that was one wild weekend.
posted by MartinWisse at 8:42 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
considers wandering over to the 2000ad board to see if they are complaining about John Wagner not getting one yet
Where do I nominate Pat Mills?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:45 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Where do I nominate Pat Mills?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:45 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
I am kind of really happy about Zaha Hadid! I am sort of confused about Gary Barlow.
posted by PinkMoose at 8:49 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by PinkMoose at 8:49 AM on June 16, 2012
Alastair Campbell now claims to be a long-standing opponent of the honours system:
Speaking later in the day Campbell argued that, while he admired Iannucci's work and liked him, he "could not resist asking the question" because of his own long-held opposition to the honours system. "I have always had a bit of a thing about the honours system, partly because I know what it is like and how it works. People may ask why we did not change it while we had the chance, but the truth is that Tony Blair did not see it as a priority and he was prime minister. He also felt it was something that made a lot of people very happy."
Coming from Campbell, this is a bit rich. Does he think we've all forgotten how New Labour blatantly abused the honours system for political purposes?
posted by verstegan at 8:53 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
Speaking later in the day Campbell argued that, while he admired Iannucci's work and liked him, he "could not resist asking the question" because of his own long-held opposition to the honours system. "I have always had a bit of a thing about the honours system, partly because I know what it is like and how it works. People may ask why we did not change it while we had the chance, but the truth is that Tony Blair did not see it as a priority and he was prime minister. He also felt it was something that made a lot of people very happy."
Coming from Campbell, this is a bit rich. Does he think we've all forgotten how New Labour blatantly abused the honours system for political purposes?
posted by verstegan at 8:53 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
patrick54, that's part of the new EU and UK regulations relating to cookies - sites must solicit your approval before issuing you 3rd party cookies. They've been pretty aggressive here, though, bouncing you to google if you decline. Cookies for normal site operation are exempt.
posted by davemee at 8:54 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by davemee at 8:54 AM on June 16, 2012
King Mob is gaming Technoccult by being its shadowy CEO (and like eight or eight billion other people) by the end of things, so it was inevitable. I look forward to our future omnipresent surveillance and schizophrenia drugs as Morrison rises to power.
posted by byanyothername at 8:59 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by byanyothername at 8:59 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
I recall reading that when The Beatles were awarded their MBEs, the unstated reason was apparently little to do with their contribution to culture, and mostly to do with the significant revenue their work was generating for the British Empire, thanks to taxes on the overseas sales of their music and merchandise.
This always comes to mind when I hear about figures of international popular culture getting honored by their own national governments.
posted by ardgedee at 9:12 AM on June 16, 2012
This always comes to mind when I hear about figures of international popular culture getting honored by their own national governments.
posted by ardgedee at 9:12 AM on June 16, 2012
I look forward to our future omnipresent surveillance and schizophrenia drugs as Morrison rises to power.
Well, if we all realize that We Are Not Who We Think We Are, then all the surveillance in the world won't tell Them what We are doing, because whatever we are doing, we aren't the ones doing it, and the things we really do can't be properly recorded in three dimensions. Ha, take that, Surveillance State!
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:13 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
Well, if we all realize that We Are Not Who We Think We Are, then all the surveillance in the world won't tell Them what We are doing, because whatever we are doing, we aren't the ones doing it, and the things we really do can't be properly recorded in three dimensions. Ha, take that, Surveillance State!
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:13 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
Once Key 17 becomes freely available, Metafilter will finally have the <img> tag back, only better.
posted by frimble at 9:15 AM on June 16, 2012 [8 favorites]
posted by frimble at 9:15 AM on June 16, 2012 [8 favorites]
Why would Alan Moore care about knighthood? He's a fucking wizard.
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:22 AM on June 16, 2012 [8 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:22 AM on June 16, 2012 [8 favorites]
Why would Alan Moore care about knighthood? He's a fucking wizard.
Dual-classing opens up a whole new slew of abilities.
posted by Etrigan at 9:26 AM on June 16, 2012 [27 favorites]
Dual-classing opens up a whole new slew of abilities.
posted by Etrigan at 9:26 AM on June 16, 2012 [27 favorites]
PinkMoose: " I am sort of confused about Gary Barlow."
He's been vigorously rimming various royal bumholes for a while in a desperate and obvious bid to score a gong, culminating in his organisation of the recent Diamond Jubilee concert.
I imagine he'll be upgraded to a KBE - though probably not the rather more stylish GCB - within the next decade, after the inevitable insipid, quasi-religious ballad written to mark the birth of Wills 'n' Kate's first kid.
notseamus: "It didn't end well for Campbell"
Oof, that three-letter smackdown is just a joy to behold.
posted by jack_mo at 9:31 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
He's been vigorously rimming various royal bumholes for a while in a desperate and obvious bid to score a gong, culminating in his organisation of the recent Diamond Jubilee concert.
I imagine he'll be upgraded to a KBE - though probably not the rather more stylish GCB - within the next decade, after the inevitable insipid, quasi-religious ballad written to mark the birth of Wills 'n' Kate's first kid.
notseamus: "It didn't end well for Campbell"
Oof, that three-letter smackdown is just a joy to behold.
posted by jack_mo at 9:31 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Then I suggest marrying up. A civil partnership with Harry perhaps?
posted by jack_mo at 9:38 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by jack_mo at 9:38 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Man, I have no particular desire to emigrate, but I am decidedly cranky that I can't be knighted.
posted by restless_nomad at 9:57 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by restless_nomad at 9:57 AM on June 16, 2012
Why would Alan Moore care about knighthood? He's a fucking wizard.
Indeed, for our British SF/F Author Adventuring team needs balance.
Knight: Terry Pratchett
Wizard: Alan Moore.
Who fills out Archer, Thief, Cleric and Berserker?
posted by The Whelk at 10:01 AM on June 16, 2012 [7 favorites]
Indeed, for our British SF/F Author Adventuring team needs balance.
Knight: Terry Pratchett
Wizard: Alan Moore.
Who fills out Archer, Thief, Cleric and Berserker?
posted by The Whelk at 10:01 AM on June 16, 2012 [7 favorites]
China Miéville's got to be the thief, I think.
posted by restless_nomad at 10:10 AM on June 16, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by restless_nomad at 10:10 AM on June 16, 2012 [4 favorites]
Cleric: Iain M. Banks
Berserker: Michael Moorcock
posted by zamboni at 10:16 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Berserker: Michael Moorcock
posted by zamboni at 10:16 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
restless_nomad : I was going to suggest Miéville for the berzerker.
Having Moore and Miéville on the team will probably make life difficult for most prospective clerics. In fact I'd shift Moore over to cleric (of Glycon), and put Morrison in as wizard.
And holy god are we revealing gender bias here.
posted by Grimgrin at 10:20 AM on June 16, 2012
Having Moore and Miéville on the team will probably make life difficult for most prospective clerics. In fact I'd shift Moore over to cleric (of Glycon), and put Morrison in as wizard.
And holy god are we revealing gender bias here.
posted by Grimgrin at 10:20 AM on June 16, 2012
I like to believe this is a long-postponed honor for the sheer awesome that is Doom Force Special #1.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:21 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:21 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
Cleric: Iain M. Banks
His spell book contains all his own inventions, such as "Sick Of Speaking Softly" and "Dead Not Forgotten (Reanimate corpse)"
posted by The Whelk at 10:26 AM on June 16, 2012
His spell book contains all his own inventions, such as "Sick Of Speaking Softly" and "Dead Not Forgotten (Reanimate corpse)"
posted by The Whelk at 10:26 AM on June 16, 2012
I think Banksy could fulfil the Thief role, he's certainly successfully made his Climb Walls throw on several occasions
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 10:27 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 10:27 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
There's a British empire?
posted by telstar at 10:31 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by telstar at 10:31 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
The others charge in to find all the guards have been arranged into an amusing tableau with spray painted bright red faces.
posted by The Whelk at 10:31 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 10:31 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
Oh wait, it just hit me, and with Neil Gaiman, Bard.
posted by The Whelk at 10:38 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by The Whelk at 10:38 AM on June 16, 2012
And holy god are we revealing gender bias here.
Yeah, it's sort of sad, but I am having trouble even coming up with British female f/sf authors. (Connie Willis, of course, Anne McCaffrey was Irish...) but a persual of my bookshelves suggests it's more that I mostly read American authors (or North American, anyway - Canadian representation is strong.) Taking suggestions!
posted by restless_nomad at 10:39 AM on June 16, 2012
Yeah, it's sort of sad, but I am having trouble even coming up with British female f/sf authors. (Connie Willis, of course, Anne McCaffrey was Irish...) but a persual of my bookshelves suggests it's more that I mostly read American authors (or North American, anyway - Canadian representation is strong.) Taking suggestions!
posted by restless_nomad at 10:39 AM on June 16, 2012
"Nothing ends that isn't something else starting. So which side are you on? Do you know yet?"
I guess I will count this as a weird win for the Singularity?
posted by Kitteh at 10:42 AM on June 16, 2012
I guess I will count this as a weird win for the Singularity?
posted by Kitteh at 10:42 AM on June 16, 2012
Ooh yeah. She's make an excellent cleric, I think.
posted by restless_nomad at 10:42 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by restless_nomad at 10:42 AM on June 16, 2012
Thief Cleric Knight Wizard
Okay, somebody write this NOW before I am forced to act this out spare little green army men in appropriate hats and accents.
In other news, I'm giving Canada back to England for a bit so Kate Beaton can be the Distaff Team's dramatically posing Archer. Unless she already can, in which case carry on, jolly good.
posted by nicebookrack at 10:45 AM on June 16, 2012
Okay, somebody write this NOW before I am forced to act this out spare little green army men in appropriate hats and accents.
In other news, I'm giving Canada back to England for a bit so Kate Beaton can be the Distaff Team's dramatically posing Archer. Unless she already can, in which case carry on, jolly good.
posted by nicebookrack at 10:45 AM on June 16, 2012
in the end they all fight the dark lord Ellis.
posted by The Whelk at 10:47 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 10:47 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
Often, in many jurisdictions, there are old laws that just kind of stay on the books despite no longer being enforced or even relevant. I'm wondering if there are any in the UK regarding knights. For example, perhaps a knight must provide and maintain from his own funds a minimum of two squires, one hauberk, two swords, two shields, five lances, etc.
posted by Flunkie at 10:52 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by Flunkie at 10:52 AM on June 16, 2012
I am having trouble even coming up with British female f/sf authors
Susan Cooper?
posted by yoink at 10:58 AM on June 16, 2012
Susan Cooper?
posted by yoink at 10:58 AM on June 16, 2012
Tanith Lee's in ur empire, sexdeathmagicking ur prose
posted by nicebookrack at 10:58 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by nicebookrack at 10:58 AM on June 16, 2012
Yeah, it's sort of sad, but I am having trouble even coming up with British female f/sf authors. (Connie Willis, of course
*Wince*
posted by MartinWisse at 10:59 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
*Wince*
posted by MartinWisse at 10:59 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Well now, that's embarrassing.
posted by restless_nomad at 10:59 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by restless_nomad at 10:59 AM on June 16, 2012
J.K. ROWLING FOR WIZARD
posted by nicebookrack at 10:59 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by nicebookrack at 10:59 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
Meanwhile, try Nicola Griffith Liz Williams, Dianne Wynne Jones, Gwyneth Jones, honary Englishwoman Pat Cadigan, Justina Robson, Josephine Saxton, Mary Gentle, J. K. bleeding Rowling...
posted by MartinWisse at 11:01 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by MartinWisse at 11:01 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
Tanith Lee is too busy building her castle of Dragon bone and screaming stone faces to go Adventuring.
Also, hey too many magic users! Rowling can be a Ranger, as fitting the cozier, rustic settings of her books.
posted by The Whelk at 11:02 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Also, hey too many magic users! Rowling can be a Ranger, as fitting the cozier, rustic settings of her books.
posted by The Whelk at 11:02 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Well now, that's embarrassing.
And it's worse, as I missed it the first time, but Anne McCaffrey wasn't quite Irish either...
posted by MartinWisse at 11:04 AM on June 16, 2012
And it's worse, as I missed it the first time, but Anne McCaffrey wasn't quite Irish either...
posted by MartinWisse at 11:04 AM on June 16, 2012
(DWJ is ineligible from author existence failure, sadly, as I propose only living authors need apply lest Tolkein and Lewis come in swanning about everywhere)
posted by nicebookrack at 11:05 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by nicebookrack at 11:05 AM on June 16, 2012
Lewis and Toilkien are long dead ancient wizards who nearly ripped the world apart a century ago and are rumored to be still around as Litches.
The great human hero Mervyn Peake managed to stop them without magic, rather by tricking them into destroying each other.
posted by The Whelk at 11:07 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
The great human hero Mervyn Peake managed to stop them without magic, rather by tricking them into destroying each other.
posted by The Whelk at 11:07 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
the great Barbarian King Michael Moorcock, ancient and dangerous on his Blood Bronze throne.
posted by The Whelk at 11:08 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by The Whelk at 11:08 AM on June 16, 2012
Huh. Clearly I have a hell of a time sorting where an author is from, where they live, and where they write about. British-born authors living elsewhere opens up Jo Walton at least.
(And if Pat Cadigan counts, then can we use Robin McKinley?)
posted by restless_nomad at 11:09 AM on June 16, 2012
(And if Pat Cadigan counts, then can we use Robin McKinley?)
posted by restless_nomad at 11:09 AM on June 16, 2012
Also, hey too many magic users! Rowling can be a Ranger, as fitting the cozier, rustic settings of her books.
I just want to see Rowling and Alan Moore low-down-dirty claw-fight it out until Rowling strikes the deadly forbidden black magic low-down-dirty-pool killshot: MEDIA LICENSING AGREEMENTS<
posted by nicebookrack at 11:09 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
I just want to see Rowling and Alan Moore low-down-dirty claw-fight it out until Rowling strikes the deadly forbidden black magic low-down-dirty-pool killshot: MEDIA LICENSING AGREEMENTS<
posted by nicebookrack at 11:09 AM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
Animal Man would appear to lay the groundwork and foundation for the world. The Gospel of Wile E. Coyote, Super-Genius, as it were.
Also, Miéville would certainly argue that Tolkien was merely a myth, and that said myth is used to excuse Peake's actions as an industrialist robber-baron in later life.
posted by frimble at 11:12 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
Also, Miéville would certainly argue that Tolkien was merely a myth, and that said myth is used to excuse Peake's actions as an industrialist robber-baron in later life.
posted by frimble at 11:12 AM on June 16, 2012 [3 favorites]
Connie Willis proves her not-Britishness with each and every hook set there...
posted by Artw at 11:15 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by Artw at 11:15 AM on June 16, 2012
Man, I have no particular desire to emigrate, but I am decidedly cranky that I can't be knighted.In my capacity as the King of Albania, I hereby unilaterally abolish the upstart Skanderbeg's Order and reestablish the Order of Skanderbeg, and knight you, restless_nomad, Knight of the Order of Skanderbeg. Congratulations, and I am sure you will carry this honor with distinction.
You are required to provide and maintain from your own funds a minimum of two squires, one hauberk, two swords, two shields, five lances, etc.
posted by Flunkie at 11:15 AM on June 16, 2012
Ben Elton should be one of the villains, once a hero, now fallen into vile corruption.
"You cannot resist the power of the establishment Morrison! You have already taken your first step on the path! All critiques of the quality of my work are motivated by envy and resentment!"
posted by Grimgrin at 11:25 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
"You cannot resist the power of the establishment Morrison! You have already taken your first step on the path! All critiques of the quality of my work are motivated by envy and resentment!"
posted by Grimgrin at 11:25 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
I am sad I can't be knighted either! But they shut the Mericans out of the Realms of Man, and now on Adventuring maps, o'er the borders of Merica, there is only a dark, uncharted mass with the warning legend HERE BE H.P. LOVECRAFT
posted by nicebookrack at 11:28 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by nicebookrack at 11:28 AM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
the monk Charles Stross has written a few dense papers on the myth of Dark Lovecraft Of Mercia.
posted by The Whelk at 11:33 AM on June 16, 2012
posted by The Whelk at 11:33 AM on June 16, 2012
Lovecraft was into daft Anglophile crap and so Would probably be quite sad over not being eligible, if he didnt basically live in a well of depression.
posted by Artw at 12:06 PM on June 16, 2012
posted by Artw at 12:06 PM on June 16, 2012
Lewis and Toilkien are long dead ancient wizards who nearly ripped the world apart a century ago and are rumored to be still around as Litches.
The great human hero Mervyn Peake managed to stop them without magic, rather by tricking them into destroying each other.
This statement is particularly hilarious for anyone with any familiarity with The Inklings and knows the history of Lewis and Tolkien. (For example, Tolkien is the man who convinced Lewis to take on Christianity as a legitimate belief system on what has since become to be known as The Long Walk.)
posted by hippybear at 12:17 PM on June 16, 2012
The great human hero Mervyn Peake managed to stop them without magic, rather by tricking them into destroying each other.
This statement is particularly hilarious for anyone with any familiarity with The Inklings and knows the history of Lewis and Tolkien. (For example, Tolkien is the man who convinced Lewis to take on Christianity as a legitimate belief system on what has since become to be known as The Long Walk.)
posted by hippybear at 12:17 PM on June 16, 2012
But, tying back to the original post, whether Canadians can hold titles was debated since well before patriation, and led to a bout of delicious schadenfreude. So likely to be better to keep Canadians as henchmen, hirelings and hobbits.
posted by frimble at 12:18 PM on June 16, 2012
posted by frimble at 12:18 PM on June 16, 2012
That said, Margaret Atwood as an unseen questgiver communicating only through gnomic notes found throughout the world is a fun thought.
posted by frimble at 12:24 PM on June 16, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by frimble at 12:24 PM on June 16, 2012 [4 favorites]
Kate Beaton shall be a BERSERKER hobbit who can only be soothed with hot tea
posted by nicebookrack at 1:05 PM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by nicebookrack at 1:05 PM on June 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
There's a British Empire?
Where by divers sundry old authentic histories and chronicles it is manifestly declared and expressed that this realm of England is an empire...governed by one supreme head and king having the dignity and royal estate of the imperial crown of the same, unto whom a body politic, compact of all sorts and degrees of people divided in terms and by names of spiritualty and temporalty, be bounden and owe to bear next to God a natural and humble obedience
posted by Segundus at 1:19 PM on June 16, 2012
Where by divers sundry old authentic histories and chronicles it is manifestly declared and expressed that this realm of England is an empire...governed by one supreme head and king having the dignity and royal estate of the imperial crown of the same, unto whom a body politic, compact of all sorts and degrees of people divided in terms and by names of spiritualty and temporalty, be bounden and owe to bear next to God a natural and humble obedience
posted by Segundus at 1:19 PM on June 16, 2012
Heh. Here it comes: the only Royal Honours story I have any personal connection to.
My (eventual) mother-in-law got an MBE a few years ago for "services to the NHS" (she was a secretary in a hospital and about to retire). My husband and his family went to the investiture ceremony where it is recorded and later flogged to the participants (at an exorbitant fee) by this company. The DVD is called "Path of Glory."
I was visiting my husband's family shortly thereafter, and as an American who has no experience in these things, I was desperate to watch the ceremony. Being British, my in-laws didn't want to make a big deal out of it.
"Oh please!" I pleaded. "Could we watch your ceremony? Could we watch --" and here I stumbled for the name of the DVD -- "Triumph of the Will"?
My husband nearly pulled a muscle laughing. My mother-in-law wasn't nearly as amused.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 2:19 PM on June 16, 2012 [7 favorites]
My (eventual) mother-in-law got an MBE a few years ago for "services to the NHS" (she was a secretary in a hospital and about to retire). My husband and his family went to the investiture ceremony where it is recorded and later flogged to the participants (at an exorbitant fee) by this company. The DVD is called "Path of Glory."
I was visiting my husband's family shortly thereafter, and as an American who has no experience in these things, I was desperate to watch the ceremony. Being British, my in-laws didn't want to make a big deal out of it.
"Oh please!" I pleaded. "Could we watch your ceremony? Could we watch --" and here I stumbled for the name of the DVD -- "Triumph of the Will"?
My husband nearly pulled a muscle laughing. My mother-in-law wasn't nearly as amused.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 2:19 PM on June 16, 2012 [7 favorites]
Oh, cool, April Ashley also received an MBE on this Honours List.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:24 PM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:24 PM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Surely not Division X?!
Could someone write the author superteam fanfic already?
posted by Pronoiac at 2:34 PM on June 16, 2012
Could someone write the author superteam fanfic already?
posted by Pronoiac at 2:34 PM on June 16, 2012
Someone roll dice to start!
posted by nicebookrack at 3:35 PM on June 16, 2012
posted by nicebookrack at 3:35 PM on June 16, 2012
99? I'll only be impressed when she gets to her eleventy-first birthday.
(Royal hamburger (with cheese))
posted by Evilspork at 4:23 PM on June 16, 2012
(Royal hamburger (with cheese))
posted by Evilspork at 4:23 PM on June 16, 2012
Lord Dunsany discovers Lovecraft with help from Arthur C. Clarke.
posted by Artw at 4:29 PM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 4:29 PM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
I was told no. Or told more accurately told I wouldn't get an answer (self-link).
posted by cjorgensen at 5:12 PM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by cjorgensen at 5:12 PM on June 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
I am so work avoident today that I was reading the Honours List. It seems that Mr. Morrison is now outranked by Kate Winslet. So there is that.
posted by GenjiandProust at 2:59 PM on June 17, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by GenjiandProust at 2:59 PM on June 17, 2012 [1 favorite]
Sidhedevil: "At least we gave Bob Dylan a Medal of Freedom, not a Medal of the US Empire."
Since the US has never prided itself on being an empire, and the UK has, I'm not clear on what this proves.
It's like saying, "At least we gave Bob Dylan a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and not the Queen's Medal of Freedom."
posted by IAmBroom at 9:19 AM on June 18, 2012
Since the US has never prided itself on being an empire, and the UK has, I'm not clear on what this proves.
It's like saying, "At least we gave Bob Dylan a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and not the Queen's Medal of Freedom."
posted by IAmBroom at 9:19 AM on June 18, 2012
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posted by Sidhedevil at 7:44 AM on June 16, 2012 [26 favorites]