Lady Bickersteth (c1925-2009)

[Michael Rhodes]

Rosemary Bickersteth (nee Cleveland-Stevens), wo died 9 Nov 2009, aged
84, was the wife of the Rt Rev John Bickersteth, KCVO, Clerk of the
Closet to The Queen 1979-89, Bishop of Bath & Wells 1975-87. She was
dau of Edward Cleveland-Stevens, of Gaines, Oxon, by his wife, Muriel,
and married in 1955; 3 sons, 1 dau.
Funeral at St John's Church, Tisbury, Wiltshire, 18th November /The
interment of ashes in the Palace Garden, City of Wells, with the
cathedral choir, will be Sunday 6th December, prior to Evensong, &c.

=--=

[Oscar]

Does the wife of a clergyman who has received the KCVO have the title
Lady? My understanding is that while the clergyman is invested as a
KCVO they don't actually receive the order of knighthood and so don't
receive or use the title Sir. In this context, is the wife a Lady?

[Michael Rhodes]

David Hope, when Bishop of London, was received in audience by The
Queen and presented with the insignia of KCVO without being dubbed
a knight ---- I believe that the wives of bishops can be styled "Lady"

[ccz...@gwmail.nottingham.ac.uk]

It certainly used NOT to be the case, but may have changed in recent
years. For instance, it used to be the case that a knight could not
use the title "SIr" before receiving the accolade but I believe that
is no longer the case. In one of his books (perhaps the one on the
Royal Victorian Order), I think Peter Galloway discusses this point.


On Nov 13, 5:44 am, Michael Rhodes <mig73allenford2...@yahoo.co.uk>
wrote: