The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-12-27
PEERS PECULIAR PRIVILEGES
Only Three May Remain Covered IN
Presence of the Sove. i'm.

The more ancient peerages OF the
British realm have attached to them
certain curious privileges, granted to
ancestors Of the present holders by
mOnaTchs Of The past. and many are
the quaint and ridiculous ceremonies
~the present holders have TO perform
Outlines in order TO preserve the right
To their titles.
For instance, the office of royal cham
pi0n IS held by the Dymokes of Scriv-
eisby court, near HorncastIe. Will
liam the COnqueror granted Scrivelsby
10 Robert De Marmion on condition
that he and his successors for all time
should officiate as royal champions
stipulating that If at any time the
owner of the manor failed to appear,
either in person or by deputy, as cham
pion az the coronation banquet the
Scrivelsby estate would be forfeit to
THE crown.
For 500 years a representative from
Scrivelsby court never failed to per-
form this duty, even though in 1892 the
manor passed into the hands of the
Dymokes, who have held it ever since.
Attired in complete armor, with
lance at rest, the champions duty con-
sisted in riding into Westminster hall
during the progress of the coronation
banquet, preceded, OF course, Ivy a her
aid Refining up his steed by the side
of the sovereign, he then had TO chal-
lenge all corners TO deny the justice
Of the monarch's claim to the throne
and offer to fight them on the spot
Needless to say, no one coming for
ward 10 accept the challenge, goblet
of gold. filled with wine, was handed
to the champion, who then drank to
the sOvereign's health. This goblet
was always retained as souvenir.
\ peculiar right is possessed by Lord
Inchiquin. who can dress his servants
in the same liveries as the royal at
tendants. In the reign of Henry VIII
Lord Inchiquin was King of the south
ern part of Ireland, and in return for
giving up his authority the merry
monarch granted him this privilege
1t may surprise many to know that
Her Majesty has such a servant as a
sandal-bearer. This Office is fulfilled
10y Earl OF Rothes.
/ Another curious right is possessed
10y the Spencers. When a royal christ
ening is about to take place, with or
without leave, an earl of that name is
entitled TO be present if he feels dis
posed to avail himself of the privilege.
though. to be in order. he must present
himself with his coat decorated with
solid gold buttons, each of which must
be OF a certain weight.
J On one occasion an Earl Spencer,
much against the will of the Queen,
presented himself for admission to the
royal christening, resolutely refusing
TO forego his right.
Of the validity of his claim there
was no doubt, but as a last resource
the Lord Chancellor directed that the
gold buttons on his coat should be
weighed to see if they complied with
the conditions. One of them was
found to be below the prescribed
weight, and this proved TO be suffi-
cient reason for excluding the earl
from the ceremony.
Lord Kinsale of Ireland and Lord
Forester of England, together with the
master of Trinity College, Cambridge,
possess the privilege of remaining
covered in the presence of their SOW
ereign and not removing their head
gear. as other subjects are bound to do.
Hon. J. l.. KaulukOu YVES passan-
cor nv tho Einau for tho hjg island