CHAMPION

A person who fights a combat in his own cause, or in place of another. The person who, in the trial by battel, fought either for the tenant or demandant. 3 Bl. Comm. 339. Champion of the king or qneen. An ancient officer, whose duty it was to ride armed cap a pie, into Westminster Hall at the coronation, while the king was at dinner, and, by the proclamation of a herald, make a challenge “that, if any man shall deny the king’s title to the crown, he is there ready to defend it in single combat.” The king drank to him, and sent him a gilt cup covered, full of wine, which the champion drank, retaining the cup for his fee. This ceremony, long discontinued, was revived at the coronation of George IV., but not afterwards. Wharton.