New-York tribune., 1901-03-13
Of GRAND SERJEANTRT.

SOME INCIDENTS OF FEUDAL TENURE.
From letter TO The London Spectator.
At The last two eoronations the procession TO
the Abbey and The subsequent banquet al west
minister Hall were omitted. in both cases ap-
parently for reasons personal 10 the sovereign
concerned. AT the coronation OF George ~ on
the other hand. ancient precedents were stTlctly
followed; the whole ceremony was carried
through without hitch and ELECTED the warm
est expressions OF approval from Slr wafer
Scott, not merely as a spectator, hui as an an
tiQuary. The most notable features of an
tiquarian interest. properly forming part OF the
coronation ceremony. but with certain eNcep-
tions) omitted on these last occasions, arise out
of certain incidents Of feudal tenure known as
services of Grand Serjeantry. II may be or IN
terest 10 give brief account or the chlef OF
them. The service Of Kings Champion belongs
10 the DymOke family, the representatives or
the ancient house Of Marmion, and II appertalns
TO the manor Of Scriv@lsby Documentary evil
dence of this service dates back TO 20 Edward l.
but traditions mako ii a Norman service. The
earliest account OF the ceremony is given by a
ehronicler OF Richard lis coronation. The great
estates of the Marmions had then become dis
persed Tanfeld was :n the hands OF the Fitz-
! Hughes Tamworth belonged to Baldwin Ere
| willie. while Scrivelsby had come to the Dymokes
! Accordingly several claimants for the service
presented themselves. but the Court of Claims
decided for scrivesby. The following is a typ
| ical description of the ceremony; the scene Is
/ laid Henry Wits coronation feast:
THE second course being served, in at the
! hal door entered a knight. armed at all points.
| his herald of arms before him. and presented
himself to the King. This was Sir Robert
Dymocke. champion to the King by tenure ot
his inheritance Garter King Of Heralds accosts
him: Sir Knight from whence come you AMI
what is your pTetence? latter further prelm-
inariesl his herald cries, Dyes and then pro-
claims: If there be any person. OF what estate
or degree soever he be. that will say or prove
thai King Henry VIII is not the rightful in
heIitcr ard King OF the realm. /. Sir Robert
Dymocke. here his champion. offer my glove TO
fight in his quarrel 20 the outraunce.'"
The proceedings terminate by the King drink
ing 10 the champions health out Of a gold bowl.
which the knight carries away with him. At
the coronation Of George ~ the service
performed by deputy. the then lord Of the manor
being i'm holy orders. The Cinque Ports claim
the right to provide thirty-two men to carry
the canopes under which the King and Queen
walk in the procession. Hastings and Sandwich
provide six bearers apiece. and Dover. Hythe,
Rye. Romney and Winchelsea four apiece. The
bearers receive the canopies. with the bells and
slaves attached 10 them. for their service, and
have the further privilege Of dining at a table
on the Kings right hand The Lord Mayor and
Corporation OF LONDON claim bv presrription
ments del capital butler de Angleterre." and TO
dine at table on the left side Of the hall. OK
ford claims similar service The lord Of the
Isle Of Man is bound by his tenure to bring two
falcons To the King the banquet. The lord
or Neither Bllsington. in Kent. claims the
vice OF presenting the King with three maple
cups. One moiety Of the manor Of Heydon in
Essex, rs held by the service of giving the towel
20 the King when washing before the hapauet
The lord Of the manor of Liston in Essex is
bound TO make waters for the King and Queen
and bring them himself 10 the hanqueting table.
The tenure Of the manor OF Addington I'm Sur
rey. is that the lord shall find a man to make a
dish called 'gerons' in the Kings kitchen: the
dish must he presented in person At Edward
Wis coronation the dish was called "degerount
and 'Brikked tho Kings cooke was deputed
10 make it.
This must close a concise and I fear some
what bald account of these interesting survivals
from feudal times Surely the crown should
retain these services. BY dispensing with them
IL does not waive irksome obligation hut
prevents the exercise Of a cherished privilege
III rs worth noting that the Order i'm Council of
April >. lS3s. expressly saved these services
and disclaimed any intention Of adding another
precedent for their discontinuance