Duel Day
An annual dinner is held commemorate the anniversary of a duel fought in March 1829 over the future of King’s College and King’s College School. Normally held at Lambeth Palace, the highlight of the evening is a vivid reenactment of the duel itself and events which led up to it.
In June 1828, in response to the founding of University College, the Duke of Wellington, Robert Peel and Archbishop Howley agreed to propose the establishment of a New King’s College. The new King’s was founded in response to the secularism of University College and was established on Anglican Principles. However, King’s College was intended to have no religious test for entry and was open to all. One of Wellington’s chief political opponents in this was George Finch-Hatton, the 10th Earl of Winchilsea and Nottingham (1791-1858). A political firebrand and a staunch defender of the idea of the Protestant Constitution, Winchilsea was especially hostile to Catholic emancipation. He therefore believed that education at King’s should be limited only to those who professed Anglican Protestantism and began to gather support from the more reactionary subscribers to the College.
Winchilsea made damaging political and personal accusations against Wellington and charged him with insincerity in his support for an Anglican King’s College. Wellington felt that the accusations were so serious for himself, the Catholic Relief Act and the College that he was left with no alternative but to seek satisfaction in arms. The Duel took place at 8 am on the morning of Saturday 21 March 1829. The Duke shot wide. He later maintained that he did so deliberately – but Wellington was known as a notoriously bad shot. The Earl raised his arm above his head and deliberately shot in the air in an act of delopement – a gesture of submission. This was certainly planned beforehand as Winchilsea presented the Duke with a letter of apology.
Wellington had defended his right to change the constitution as well as the rights of his new College. The principles he defended are alive today – and the independence of King’s College/ King’s College School to offer an education to all was secured.
Activity Calendar
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Duel Day 2022
March 23, 2022
Members were invited to join Duel Day which took place on 23 March 2022 at the Savile Club. It commemorates the anniversary of the duel fought in March 1829 between the Duke of Wellington and the Earl of Winchelsea and is always celebrated around this time of year. Members commemorated Wellington’s role in the founding of King’s and after dinner David Tamby Rajah (OK 1985) played the part of the Earl of Winchelsea.
2017 Duel Day Dinner
March 23, 2017
The Duel Day dinner was held at the Athenaeum Club on Pall Mall. A reenactment, pistols and all, commemorates a duel between the Duke of Wellington and the Earl of Winchelsea in 1829. Alexander Malmaeus and Richard Bates led the Old King’s Club. SEE FACEBOOK
Duel Day 2016
March 17, 2016
Due to an early Easter and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s schedule, this year’s dinner was held at the Savile Club in Mayfair instead of Lambeth Palace. An extremely jovial evening reached its climax with the re-enactment of the 1829 duel between the Duke of Wellington and the Earl of Winchelsea. The part of Jeremy Bentham was played by Richard Criddle (OK 1986). SEE FAACEBOOK
Duel Day 2015
March 26, 2015
Once again, members of the Old King’s Club attended the annual Duel Dinner at Lambeth Palace. This year, the Earl of Winchelsea (the villain of the piece) was played by Alexander Malmaeus.
Duel Day Goes Off With 2 Bangs
March 20, 2014
The Old King’s Club were out in force at the 2014 Duel Day Dinner, held at Lambeth Palace. Following drinks in the Arch Bishop’s drawing room, members and guests paid homage to one of the three founders of King’s, Archbishop William Howley (1766-1848) by laying flowers below his portrait. The Palace kitchens produced an excellent meal, which was followed by the traditional re-enactment of the famous duel of 1829.The Duke of Wellington was played by Alexander Malmaeus, Chairman of the Old King’s Club and the Earl of Winchelsea was played by Andrew Parrish, President of the King’s College Alumni Association.
Younger members concluded the evening at the Savile Club.