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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Doggett's Coat and Badge
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The oldest annual sporting contest in Britain, instituted in 1715 by the comedian Thomas Doggett (c.1670–1721) to celebrate the accession of the house of *Hanover in the previous year. It is rowed by young Thames watermen over a 7.25km/4.5m course upstream from London Bridge to Chelsea. The winner gets (and wears thereafter on ceremonial occasions) a distinctive red coat in 18C style and a large silver badge.
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