With the coronation ceremony of Carlos III, the world will witness the presence of a key figure who, thanks to the efforts of a peasant, refuses to stay in the past. It’s “The King’s Champion”.

Francis Dymoke will be the one to play that important role on May 6, 2023. That ancient task includes carrying the Royal Banner, says Sky News, as he delves into the past.

What it means to be “The King’s Champion”.

That medium indicates that “the role began during the reign of William the Conqueror and consisted of riding a horse in Westminster Hall during the coronation banquet and challenging anyone who denied the sovereign’s right to the throne to fight.”

From El Debate, they point out that “when a king was proclaimed (or crowned), in the event that any alleged wrongdoing of the person or better right of a third party, such suit was immediately resolved in the form of a trial -God’s judgment by battle-”.

Since the king could only fight in single combat with someone of his rank, he brought a champion to fight for him: the king’s champion.”

The origin of this figure, in England, dates back to the time of King William I “The Conqueror” (formerly William “The Bastard”) and it was granted as a right to the lords of the town of Scrivelsby, in the county of Lincoln, adds.

Over time, the figure lost momentum, and international agencies recall that “there hasn’t been a coronation banquet since 1821.”

“Already before the coronation of Queen Victoria, it was believed that this ceremonial figure was no longer necessary and, to compensate the holder of the right, a hereditary baron was created (nobility halfway between the knights (Sir) and the nobles of the kingdom (Gentleman))”.

That medium has been pointing out since 2022 that “The king’s champion” we would see this year.

“Following the death of Queen Victoria, the 32nd Lord of Scrivelsby Manor (HS Dymoke) made a claim in court in defense of his family’s millennium right.”

They agreed with him, and for the coronation of Edward VII, the figure of the king’s champion and the bearer of the Royal Ensign of England converged in him.

Next year, it reported, “at the coronation ceremony of King Charles III we shall see the XXXIV Lord of Scrivelsby, King’s Champion, carry the royal standard.”

Who is Francis Dymoke?

On Saturday, May 6, Francis Dymoke becomes “The King’s Champion”. It’s a family affair and just like before he fought for his right and won.

Dymoke, describes El Universal, “will not come to the imposing ceremony on horseback, nor challenge any claimant to the throne to battle, as his ancestor did in 1066”, but will carry the royal flag to Westminster Abbey.

My family has been to every coronation since 1066. I await my invitation.

Francis Dymoke to The Telegraph in January 2023

“The champion of the king” of this 2023 is a 67-year-old farmer and by fulfilling his role he will remember a role that members of his family played since Guillermo El Conquistador was crowned almost a thousand years ago, according to the Mexican media.

How did you go about earning this honor?

Dymoke filled out an online form explaining his family’s legendary role in the British coronations, then waited for government bureaucrats to review his application.

Thus, Francis Dymoke managed to become the 34th member of his family to participate in a coronation.

El Universal notes that “the Dymoke family’s claim to this role was linked to Lincolnshire lands granted to them at the time of the Norman conquest of England, Dymoke told The Telegraph.”

After the death of Isabel II and the announcement of the next coronation, this farmer did not sit still.

“All I can do is sign up to participate,” Dymoke told the newspaper.

I wrote that… my family has been doing it since William the Conqueror, and while I understand it’s no longer a right… it would be nice to participate.

Francis Dymoke

The British Crown agreed and the announcement was made by palace sources

“This is the moment in my life that really matters,” he happily told the Daily Telegraph, referring to the AP agency.