Tony Robinson has been knighted in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list, while there is also recognition for Adele, Rowan Atkinson and Rob Brydon.
The Time Team presenter, who has been made a Sir for his public and political work, admitted that the honour has left him "a little gob-smacked".
"I also pledge that from this day on I'll slaughter all unruly dragons, and rescue any damsels in distress who request my help," he quipped.
Elsewhere, Adele has received an MBE following her win at the Oscars, Robinson's Blackadder co-star Atkinson gets a CBE and comedian Brydon becomes an MBE.
Broadcaster Clare Balding is given an OBE, while singer PJ Harvey and Daybreak host Aled Jones have picked up MBEs.
Novelist Jackie Collins and golfer Paul Lawrie have been given OBEs for their achievements, and there is an MBE for Only Boys Aloud choir director Timothy Rhys-Evans.
Among the other new knights is sculptor Anish Kapoor, while playwright David Haig and Chocolat author Joanne Harris collect MBEs, with Labyrinth writer Kate Mosse getting an OBE.
Arise Sir Baldrick!
