The Royal Armouries has just acquired the last armour to have been worn by a King’s Champion at a Coronation. It is now on display at The Tower of London. It is an exceptionally magnificent Maximilian-style armour, dated to around 1520. However, the occasion when it was last worn by the King’s Champion was at the Coronation of King George IV in 1821, some 300 years after it was made. Last night (Jan 28) HRH Prince Edward attended the unveiling of this prodigal harness at the Tower. It was acquired from a private collection thanks to the National Heritage Memorial Fund.George IV’s coronation was the last time the traditional "Champion's Challenge" was performed on horseback. During the coronation banquet at Westminster Hall, the Champion would ride in and throw down a gauntlet, challenging anyone who questioned the King's right to the throne to trial by combat.The role of King’s Champion is hereditary, and held by the Dymoke family since 1377. In 1821, it was Henry Dymoke, who donned this armour and did the honours. He was deputising for his father and didn't become Sir Henry Dymoke until later.While the mounted challenge ended in 1821, the family still performs ceremonial duties; the current representative carried the Royal Standard at King Charles III’s coronation in 2023 – not quite as fun as riding into Westminster all in full armour and throwing down a gauntlet. I know several people who would volunteer to do that should it be required again. ... See MoreSee Less
My latest piece on SUBSTACK is a gripping true story from WWII about an astonishing feat of endurance and heroism by a German officer and a Danish hunter in Greenland: loadesofhistory.substack.com/p/duel-on-the-iceIt is a little outside my usual period of study, but when I stumbled upon the story, it just sucked me in. It is, to my mind a wonderfully compelling tale; a tale of adventure and humanity. The story also has dogs!If you haven’t tried SUBSTACK yet, do take a look. If you’re interested in history - weapons, dogs, horses etc (presumably that’s why you’re here) - then my SUBSTACK page (Loades of History) is a place a wide range of stories and essays. Take a look and let me know what you think. ... See MoreSee Less
