Royal Armouries unveils historic Coronation Armour

Visit the Tower of London to see this 16th-century suit of armour worn at George IV's coronation in 1821. It’s one of Britain's rarest pieces of royal ceremonial history. 

Kings champion armour on display in a well lit glass cabinet at the Tower of London
King's Champion Armour on display at the Tower of London © Royal Armouries.

With our support, the Royal Armouries has acquired this complete suit of armour, which dates from around 1520. It is the only armour confirmed to have been worn by a ‘King’s Champion’ at a British coronation. 

Our £194,450 grant has helped ensure this important heritage will be expertly cared for and can be enjoyed by the public. It is now on display in the White Tower alongside other historic and royal pieces at the Tower of London. 

The King’s Champion  

The Coronation Armour was worn by 20-year-old Henry Dymoke at George IV's coronation. As King’s Champion, it was his role to ride into Westminster Hall in full armour, throw down his gauntlet three times and challenge anyone who disputed the new monarch's right to the throne. The 1821 coronation banquet was the last time this ancient royal tradition was performed. 

King’s Champion is a hereditary role, held by the Dymoke family since 1377. Most recently, Francis Dymoke carried the Royal Standard at the coronation of King Charles III in 2023. 

A remarkable journey  

The armour is what’s known as Maximilian-style, named after the 16th-century Holy Roman Emperor, and is characterised by its fluted detailing. It had a remarkable journey before reaching Britain and playing its part in a historic royal ceremony. It was seized from a Bavarian castle by Napoleon's troops in 1800 and sold in Paris, before being bought in London by collector Thomas Gwennap. It was borrowed for the ceremony, in keeping with the requirement that all guests wear 16th Century costume.   

Now the past meets the present in its new home at the Tower of London, where the King George IV would have spent two nights before his 1821 coronation ceremony. There are future plans for the armour travels to Leeds, where the Royal Armouries Museum is located.

Preserved for us all 

Nat Edwards, Director General and Master of the Armouries, said:  

“We’re delighted to have this stunning armour on display as part of the Royal Armouries’ collection at our historic home at the Tower of London. This will enable the British public and international tourist the opportunity to see this piece of our national heritage. This has been made possible thanks to funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, supported by UK government.” 

Dr Simon Thurley CBE, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said:  

“The King’s Champion Armour embodies centuries of royal ceremony and tradition and we are delighted to support its acquisition.

“The Memorial Fund exists to save the UK's most outstanding heritage and make it publicly accessible, in memory of those who have given their lives for the UK. As the Memorial Fund turns 45 years old we are delighted to count the King’s Champion Armour as part of the growing and timeless collection of UK heritage that belongs to all of us forever."

This is the latest of more than 1,400 important heritage treasures we’ve helped save for the people of the UK over the past 45 years. Discover more about the world-class collection we’ve supported.