RETURN OF THE CHAMPION’S ARMOUR

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 6 August 1901, Page 4

RETURN OF THE CHAMPION’S ARMOUR

London, June 13th. —The Duke of Marlborough headed a deputation to-day which presented to His M.ajesty a suit of armour which formerly belonged to the King’s champion.* This historic armour was recently offered for sale at auction, and was purchased by a committee who desired that it be preserved at Windsor Castle.

This suit of armour was from the Royal collection, and was given to the man who served as King’s champion at the coronation of George 11. It was used at the coronation of George 111. and George IY., and has since remained in the Dymoke family. It has been the duty and privilege since the days of William the Conqueror of the owner of Serivelsby Manor to appear at the coronation of the King of England attired in full armour, mounted upon a caparisoned steed, to ride up to the King at the banquet in Westminster Hall and challenge to mortal combat anv one who dares to deny the right of the King to the throne, throw/ng down his gauntlet to all present, and, receiving a huge goblet of wine, to drain it at one draught before the King, then to back his horse out of the Hall, bearing the goblet with him. At the coronations of William IV. and Victoria the right to challenge was foregone in return for a baronetcy for the then holder of the privelege. The present owner of the right is Francis Seaman Dymoke, but William Waldorf Astor has been reported to buy the estate,, and thus obtain the ancient privilege with the chance of foregoing it by receiving a baronetcy.