Jump to content

Leaderboard

Popular Content

Showing content with the highest reputation on 05/01/24 in all areas

  1. From THE HISTORY OF SIGNBOARDS by JACOB LARWOOD AND JOHN CAMDEN HOTTEN 1866 "The Crown and Glove refers to the well-known ceremony of the Royal Champion at the Coronation. It occurs as a sign at Stannington, Sheffield, Eastgate Row, South Chester, &c. The Royal Champion himself figures in George Street, Oxford. In the Gazetteer for August 20, 1784, we find an anecdote recorded concerning the Royal Champion, which is almost too good to be true:—“At the coronation of King William and Queen Mary, the Champion of England dressed in armour of complete and glittering steel; his horse richly caparisoned, and himself, and beaver finely capped with plumes of feathers, entered Westminster Hall while the King and Queen were at dinner. And, at giving the usual challenge to any one that disputed their majesties’ right to the crown of England, (when he has the honour to drink the Sovereign’s health out of a golden cup, always his fee,) after he had flung down his gauntlet on the pavement, an old woman, who entered the hall on crutches, (which she left behind her,) took it up, and made off with great celerity, leaving her own glove, with a challenge in it to meet her the next day at an appointed hour in Hyde Park. This occasioned some mirth at the lower end of the hall: and it was remarkable that every one was too well engaged to pursue her. A person in the same dress appeared the next day at the place appointed, though it was generally supposed to be a good swordsman in that disguise. However, the Champion of England politely declined any contest of that nature with the fair sex, and never made his appearance.” Further information (from Alnwick Civic Society): A monarch is not supposed to fight in single combat against anyone except an equal. So they need a champion who is prepared to fight on the their behalf. The champion will take on anyone who decides to challenge title to the throne. At a coronation banquet the monarch’s champion would ride into Westminster Hall in full armour, throw down a gauntlet, and issue a challenge to all comers. This is a ceremonial performance that dates back to medieval times, but it hasn’t actually been used since 1821, when the challenge spoken by the champion was: “If any person, of whatever degree soever, high or low, shall deny or gainsay our Sovereign Lord George, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, son and next heir unto our Sovereign Lord the last King deceased, to be the right heir to the imperial Crown of this realm of Great Britain and Ireland, or that he ought not to enjoy the same; here is his Champion, who saith that he lieth, and is a false traitor, being ready in person to combat with him, and in this quarrel will adventure his life against him on what day soever he shall be appointed.“ There was no coronation banquet for William IV in 1831, and the practice was dropped for Queen Victoria’s coronation in 1838. It has not been revived since. Mr Charles Cheek was a victualler at the Crown and Glove Stannington, listed in Gell's 1825 Directory. So possibly a reference to the 1821 coronation?
    1 point
  2. 1 point
  3. http://www.sheffieldindexers.com/Memories/CherishedMemories_HistoryofStVincentsSheffield.html Th history of St Vincents can be read here which might help.
    1 point
×
×
  • Create New...