31 December 2011

Arthurian scholar receives royal honour

I was very happy to learn recently that Mr. Geoffrey Thomas Leslie Ashe has been named a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his services to culture by Her Majesty the Queen in Her Majesty's New Years Honour's List.

Geoffrey Thomas Leslie Ashe, MBE
As a scholar of things Arthurian, Mr. Ashe has spent many years searching for the historical personage upon whom the legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table are based, looking especially to the archaeological record.

Some of his books are happily in my library, including his The Discovery of King Arthur, King Arthur: The Dream of a Golden Age, The Landscape of King Arthur, and The Quest for Arthur's Britain.

Having as its motto For God and the Empire, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was founded by King George V in 1917 to honor especially those who served in non-combat roles during World War I.


Although as a Member of the Order, Mr. Ashe cannot be addressed as Sir, this is still a great honor for an illustrious Arthurian. Congratulations, Mr. Ashe!

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