THE KING'S CHAMPION.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2360, 3 May 1901, Page 8

THE KING'S CHAMPION.

When the coronation of King Edward takes place (says the 'Free Lance') it will bring into prominence a picturesque functionary, who occupies the public eye but once during every reign. This is the King's champion, the head of the ancient family of Dymoke (pronounced Dimmock). When the Dymoke who threw down the glove at Queen Victoria's coronation died some years ago he was supposed to be the last of his race, and his hereditary office was believed to have died with him.

But a claimant to the honors and estates of the family appeared in the person of a sturdy Lincolnshire farmer, who bore the family name and claimed to be the head of a junior branch of the house. He was able to prove his descent, and the fine old English house and park near Woodhall Spa, in Lincolnshire, were awarded to him, together with the

other historic possession! of the family. The old farmer also laid claim to the priceless collection of coronation cups which are the perquisites of the holders of his office, and which, on his predecessor's death, had fallen to the Crown. His claim was admitted, and the cups, which had been in Her Majesty's possession at Windsor, were handed over to him.

The Dymoke, who will act as King Edward's champion, i* the ion of this old yeoman. He is about 35 years of age, of middle height, and, as is natural in a son of the soil, has more the appearance of a hard-working young fanner than of a knight of the days of chhalry. While his widowed mother occupies the family residence, he lives quietly in a small house at Woodhall, and devotes much of his time to lawn tennis and other peaceful sporta.

He is of a modest, retiring nature, and will, I imagine, have some difficulty in conjuring up that degree of defiant truculence which one supposes to be suitable and proper in a Koyal champion.