The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-15
PECULIAR PRIvILEDGEs OF PEERS.
Only Three May Remain Covered In
Presence of the Sovereign.


Presence of the Sovereign.
From Tit Bits
The more ancient peerages Of the Brit
lsh realm have attached to them certain
curious privileges, granted to ancestors of
the present holders by monarchs OF the
past and many are the quaint and RI
diculous ceremonies the present holders
have to perform ofttimes in order to pre-
serve the right to their titles
For instance, the Office Of royal cham
pon Is held by the Dymokes of Scrivelsby
court near HornCastle. William the Con-
queror granted Scrlvelsby 10 Robert De
Marmion on condition that he and his sue
cessors for all time should otficiate as
royal champion, stipulating that If at any
time the owner of the manor failed to
appear either in person or by deputy. as
champion at the coronation banquet the
Scrivelsby estate would be forfeited to
the crown.
For 800 years representative from
Scrivelsby court never failed to perform
this duty, even though in 1892 the manor
passed into the hands of the Dymokes.
who have held 1t ever since.
Attired in complete armor with lance
at rest, the champions duty consisted in
riding into Westminster Hall during the
progress of the coronation banquet pre-
ceded of course, by herald. Refining up
his steed by the side OF the sovereign. he
then had to challenge 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 forward
to accept the challenge. a goblet of gold
filed with wine. was handed TO the cham
pion, who then drank to the sovereign's
health. This goblet was always retained
as a souvenir
A peculiar right Is possessed by Lord
lnchiquin, who can dress his servants in
the same liveries as the royal attendants.
In the reign of Henry WIN Lord Inchauln
was King Of the southern part of Ire
land, and in return for giving up his au-
thority 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 by the Earl
of Rhodes.
Another curious right is possessed by
the Spencers When a royal christening
Is about to take place. with or without
leave, an earl of that name Is entitled to
| be present II he feels disposed 10 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
on one occasion an Earl Spencer, much
| against the viii of the Queen, presented
himself for admission to the royal chris
tening, 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 IL
they complied with the conditions. one
of them was found to be below the pre-
scribed weight and this proved TO be a
sufficient reason for excluding the earl
from the ceremony
Lord Kinsale of Ireland and Lord For
ester OF England together with the mas
ter Of Trinity College, Cambridge, possess
the privilege of remaining covered in the
presence of their sovereign and not remov-
Ing their headgear, as other subjects are
| bound to do.