Lot Essay
The Doggett Coat and Badge Race was founded by the Irish comedian and Drury Lane Theatre manager Thomas Doggett in 1714 to honour the anniversary of the accession of George I. The race has become the longest continuously running rowing race in the world, having been run every summer for almost 300 years.
The silver badge and it's accompanying scarlet coat are competed for by six watermen in the first year of their freedom from the Company of Watermen. The race was traditionally run from London Bridge to Chelsea in four-seater passenger boats called 'wherries'.
The silver badge and it's accompanying scarlet coat are competed for by six watermen in the first year of their freedom from the Company of Watermen. The race was traditionally run from London Bridge to Chelsea in four-seater passenger boats called 'wherries'.