It’s all right to be a knight!

QUESTION Does being knighted come with any financial award?

A MODERN knighthood or damehood is a reward for exemplary service to Crown and country. It is honorific, which means there is no financial reward.

There are two ranks in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The top rank is a GBE: a Knight or Dame Grand Cross. These are rare; since 2000, just 16 have been awarded. The second highest is a KBE or DBE: a Knight or Dame Commander.

A knighthood has some perks. Coats of arms may include supporters — animals such as lions or unicorns that stand on either side of the shield.

The children of a knight or dame have the right to be married in the Order Chapel in St Paul’s Cathedral. But that right also extends to lower ranks of the order, such as holders of the OBE.

In medieval times, being a knight had financial benefits.

The monarch would parcel out land, along with the right to collect taxes, to nobles, and to a lesser degree, knights.

In return, they would give up a proportion of the proceeds, undertake military service and supply soldiers.

Jim Smith, Manchester.

QUESTION The hole in the top of a ballpoint pen is, in fact, a safety feature. What other items have a purpose we are not aware of?

WEARERS of Converse trainers may have noticed two extra lace holes on each side of the shoe.

While they allow air to circulate, they were designed to enable secure or creative lacing, which is useful when playing basketball.

Ian Fuller, Ludlow, Shropshire.