Incredible piece of Coronation memorabilia on display in Lincoln

The leather covered saddle, with red silk velvet and ornamented with silver-gilt lace, braid and fringe, would have been used at the coronation of each new monarch.

Alongside the saddle, a selection of other memorabilia celebrating previous coronations including Edward VII’s, George VI’s and Elizabeth II’s is also on display.

Clad in full armour and carrying a gauntlet, the Champion would ride into Westminster Hall on a white horse and throw down the gauntlet, challenging anybody who denied the sovereign to be the rightful heir to the crown.

After challenging three times, and there being no response, the monarch would toast the health of the Champion, in the knowledge that he or she was undisputed as sovereign.

The earliest record of the ceremony dates to the coronation banquet of Richard II in 1377, with the last such ceremony taking place at the coronation of King George IV in 1821.

The office of King’s or Queen’s Champion has been held by the Dymoke family since 1292, and the title is directly linked to the feudal ownership of their home, the Manor at Scrivelsby.

Despite no longer being expected to ride in on horseback, the Champion does still has a role to play in modern coronations.

For Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, Lieutenant-Colonel John Dymoke served as the Queen’s Champion bearing the Union Standard.

Charles III’s King’s Champion is Francis Dymoke, the current 34th Lord of the Manor of Scrivelsby, who carried the Royal Standard in the Westminster Abbey ceremony on Saturday May 6.

Mr Dymoke said that it was a “great privilege” to be asked to be a part of the once-in-a-lifetime royal event.

The King’s Champion saddle and other artefacts are now on display at Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace, Lincoln.

Entry to the museum is free and you can find out more about the display and other events at the museum by visiting the website at www.lincolnmuseum.co.uk.