Anglia Television Knights

The Anglia Knight is over 100 years old and was commissioned originally by the King of the Netherlands.

The king was a patron of a society called The Falcon Club, which met once a year to compete in horse races, falconry and other sports.

In 1850, the King felt so confident that he would win the contest that he commissioned a trophy from a London firm of silversmiths. The trophy was modelled on the statue of Richard Coeur de Lion, which stands outside the House of Parliament, but it was made to represent the Black Prince.

However, to the King's dismay it was won by an Englishman and brought back to Britain where it remained in the possession of the victor's family until 1959 the year Anglia first went on the air.

A famous firm of Bond Street jewellers and goldsmiths (Aspreys) was commissioned to make certain modifications including the pennant on the lance and the magnificent trophy became the famous symbol of Anglia Television.

The Anglia Knight is made of sterling silver and weighs over 700 ounces. The detailed work was hand-chased by a superb craftsman.

The music that is heard when the knight is on air is part of Handel's Water Music, specially arranged for Anglia Television by Sir Malcolm Sargent.

Thanks to Steve Hearn and Adrian Ruck

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[TheMasterNo6]

@Skyswinger She did other funny things too - she died 6 yrs ago, great woman.

[Skyswinger]

@TheMasterNo6 lol yeah you could say that. This was a long time before critical thinking for me though, even father christmas and god existed in them days haha. What your mum done was both genius and hilarious haha.

[TheMasterNo6]

@Skyswinger Bit gullible then.... ;) Mind you, when any ads for food were on tv my Mum would put her plate of food behind the tv when the ad was on and pull it from behind the tv saying 'ta daaa' to me as a toddler and give me the food....

[Robertcotton]

Great and thanks so much!!!!!!!!! I am from Peterborough but left UK 22 years ago..i remember this so well!!! Thanks again!

[Tirana44]

When I used to visit my Nan in London, and see those lousy 2 dimensional Rediffusion graphics, I used to think of the Anglia Knight and, sounds cheesy I know, I always felt proud that Anglia was 'our' ITV.

[lostintrivia]

I remember it so well as a child growing up in Norwich in the 1960's (I was actually a bit frightened by the knight). I left Norfolk in the mid 70's as a student and basically never went back, as family moved away as well. Never thought I'd see this again. Thanks for putting it on (and for the history in the meesage 2 below).

[RobRobintv]

A night in shining armor to the southeast....

[FRANKIESHANOWSKIY2K0]

the anglia tv knight is based on a statue of king richard the 1st

the original statue was original commissioned by william the 3rd

of the netherlands in1850 for the falcon club and it was originaly

die casted in gold until it's discovery in 1959 for the birth of anglia tv

and remained upto 1988 presented to them by bond street jewellers

and the channel name came from anglian saxons that reigned in norwich

they were known as anglia scandanavian saxons.

[webbhead92]

The Channel4 idents cant hold a candle to this:)

[alantheskinhead]

Its in the Anglia Studios office in Norwich. It was put on an old Dancette and the Knight came from a shop in Norwich!