Man's Archery Coat Back View

Crowned in 1820, King George IV (1762-1830) had an immense interest in fashion, and began overseeing the redesign of formal court attire even before his coronation. This is a rare surviving example of his sartorial influence: a Royal Company of Archers uniform coat, designed in 1822. Wearers served as the King’s ceremonial body guard during his sojourns to Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland. Probably worn at a formal Archery Ball rather than on the playing field, its “Sherwood Forest” green color references the gallant medieval stories of Robin Hood and his merry band of expert archers, symbolized by the crossed arrows in the center of each gilt button.