Card of the Day: The Champion of England

I like that the Silver Jubilee of 1935 card series by Churchman’s Cigarettes includes scenes not just from the life of King George V and Queen Mary, but also important scenes which show the historic progression of the coronation ceremony in general.


This card shows, “The Champion of England,” which refers to the King’s (or Queen’s) Champion. The King’s Champion is an office bestowed upon an individual by the Sovereign which makes him the “Standard Bearer of England.” Traditionally, this honor is granted to the holder of Manor of Scrivelsby and was first offered to Robert Marmion in 1066. The Champion was to act as a protector to the Sovereign in the unlikely event that someone challenged his accession to the throne. The Champion was required to ride in full armor into Westminster Hall during the coronation banquet. He is escorted by the Earl Marshal and the Lord High Constable who are adorned in full dress robes and coronets. Together, they await the challenge to all comers. You see, as part of the coronation, the monarch could not fight in single combat against anyone except an equal.

The tradition includes a ceremonial challenge which continues to this day, last seen at the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. We’ll learn more about this tradition in the coming days.