Letter Writing, Help Me!

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How do I start a letter to a person with a knighthood? Dear Sir Arnold seems a bit too familiar. Is there another way I should put it? Sorry, this is a real bugger to google for.

― Madchen (Madchen), Monday, 15 November 2004 14:35 (twenty-one years ago)

It is Dear Sir Arnold.

― beanz (beanz), Monday, 15 November 2004 14:37 (twenty-one years ago)

He'll be used to it.

― beanz (beanz), Monday, 15 November 2004 14:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, "Sir Arnold" is what he's called, no? It's not like you're starting with "Yo, Arnie" or anything. I think "Sir Arnold" is fine.

More to the point, why are you writing to a knight?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 15 November 2004 14:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe she is trapped in a tower.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 15 November 2004 14:40 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm writing a letter begging sponsorship and freebies (hence the need to get this right).

― Madchen (Madchen), Monday, 15 November 2004 14:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Dear Sir Arnold,

Please send one of your fine automobiles to rescue me and also provide discounts on the hire of vehicles for my delegates.

Yours sincerely and respectfully

Madchen

― Madchen (Madchen), Monday, 15 November 2004 14:43 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.debretts.co.uk/etiquette/correct_forms_of_address.html

― slb, Monday, 15 November 2004 14:43 (twenty-one years ago)

That is a most comprehensive list, thank you.

― Madchen (Madchen), Monday, 15 November 2004 14:48 (twenty-one years ago)

You can do Dear Sir if you like, but that's very formal and pretty unusual nowadays I think. If you write "Dear Sir Arnold," end it with "Yours sincerely". If "Dear Sir," end with "Yours faithfully" just like you would if you didn't know the name.

― beanz (beanz), Monday, 15 November 2004 14:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I do not recognise honour systems, so I would begin the letter "Yo dude".

― DV (dirtyvicar), Monday, 15 November 2004 18:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Sir Arnold sold my brother-in-law a duff car with a dodgy finance deal, so I'd be a lot ruder than that. But I'm not grovelling to him.

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 15 November 2004 18:11 (twenty-one years ago)

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