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CHAPTER IX.

CEREMONIAL OF THE CORONATION

THE solemnity of the day commences with the recognition of the sovereign's right on the part of the people, and though this is properly a feudal custom, being an acknowledgment by vassals of the right of inheritance vesting in their liege lord, it is evident that in the English form there are traces of the ancient custom of electing kings. Immediately after the sovereign has taken his or her seat, the archbishop of Canterbury advances, and the sovereign stands up. The archbishop then, turning his face to the east, says as follows: I here present unto you, the rightful inheritor of the crown of this realm; wherefore all ye that are come this day to do your homage, service, and bounden duty, are ye willing to do the same?

This is repeated at the south, north, and west side of the theatre, the sovereign standing all the while, and turning to the sides of the stage, as the archbishop severally asks the question. At every repetition the spectators respond by loud acclamations, and at the last the trumpets sound and the drums beat. The sovereign then sits down, and the following anthem is sung by the choir:

Let thy hand be strengthened, and thy right hand be exalted. Let justice and judgment be the preparation of thy seat; let mercy and truth go before thy face. (Psalm lxxxix. verse 14.)

Now, were this a mere recognition, instead of asking the people if they were willing to do homage, they should be commanded to perform it as a duty. At the coronation of William the Conqueror, the archbishop of York, who performed the ceremony, because Stigand, the archbishop of Canterbury, was adverse to the

Normans, made an oration to the people in English, and concluded by asking them if they chose William for their king, and consented to his coronation? to which they signified their assent by loud acclamations. The bishop of Constance asked the same question of the Normans, in French, and received the same answer. A similar form must have been used at the coronation of William Rufus, Henry I., and Stephen, for they are all called elected monarchs by the old chronicles. In all the forms of recognition, the will and consent of the people are distinctly asked; and in the form for the coronations of Henry VII. & VIII., they are both said to be "elect and chosen." Prynne inserts this form in the ceremonial for the coronation of James I., as one that might be used, instead of the present form. The differences between the two forms are remarkable. That more ancient one was in these words:

Sirs, Here present is rightful and undoubted inheritor by the laws of God and man, to the crown and royal dignity of England, with all things thereunto annexed and appertaining; elect, chosen, and required by all the three estates of this same land, to take upon him (or her) this said crown and royal dignity; whereupon you shall understand that this day is fixed and appointed by all the peers of the land, for the consecration, enunction, and coronation of the said most excellent prince Will you serve him (or her) at this time, and give your wills and assents to the same consecration, enunction, and coronation?

This formulary of election, rather than recognition, was set aside by the popes, when they claimed the right to dispose of kingdoms. In the order of coronation prescribed for all Christian kings by Pope Clement VIII., we find the following form instead of the recognition.

When the sovereign enters the ehurch, two bishops go to meet him, and salute him by a slight inclination of the head. While they continue to wear their mitres, he advances bare-headed between them to the metropolitan, to whom the monarch makes a most humble reverence. Then the senior of the bishops, uncovering

his head, says to the metropolitan in a loud clear voice,

Most reverend father, Holy Mother Church universal demands of you to elevate the worthy knight here present, to the royal dignity and office.

The metropolitan inquires,

Do you know him to be worthy and fit for this dignity?

The bishop replies,

We both believe and know him to be worthy, a person useful to the church of God, and fit for this dignity.

The metropolitan says,

Praise be to God..

But in the older Ordo Romanus, the recognition retains much of the ancient form of election; it comes after the king's oath and promises. After that the monarch has sworn to keep the Catholic faith, to protect the church, and to administer justice impartially, the metropolitan is directed thus to address the people:

Do you wish to submit to such a prince and ruler, and to confirm his kingdom by your strict allegiance, and to obey all his commands, according to the injunction of the apostle : Let every soul be subject to higher powers, for there is no power but from God; the powers that be, are ordained of God?"

Then all present, both clergy and laity shout in reply, So be it, So be it, Amen, Amen.

In Pope Clement's ceremonial there is an admonition introduced, which, though it forms no part of the English forms, and does not appear ever to have done so, is well worthy of notice:

Since, most worthy prince, you are about to receive this day the sacred unction and ensigns of a king from us, who, though unworthy, act here in Christ's stead: it is right that we should first warn you of the burden which you are destined to sustain. On this day you take upon yourself the royal dignity, and the charge of ruling the faithful people entrusted to your care. eminent place, truly, amongst mortals, but full of danger, labour, and anxiety. If, however, you consider that all power is given by the Lord your God, through whom kings reign, and lawgivers

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decree what is just; you also will have to render an account to God himself of the flock entrusted to your charge. First and chiefly, you shall preserve piety, and worship the Lord your God with all your soul, and with all your heart. You will retain inviolate to the end of your life, the Christian religion and the Catholic faith, in which you have been instructed from your cradle, and you will defend it to the utmost of your power against all adversaries. You will exhibit due reverence to the prelates and other priests of the church. You will never violate ecclesiastical privileges and liberties. You shall administer justice, without which no society can endure, truly and indifferently to all, by rewarding the good and punishing the evil doers. You shall defend widows, orphans, the poor and the weak, from all oppres sion. You shall, consistently with your royal state and dignity, show yourself mild, gentle, and affable to all who seek access to you. And you shall so conduct yourself, as to reign not for your advantage, but that of your entire people, and to look for your reward not on earth, but in heaven. May that God who lives and reigns for ever and ever, enable you thus to perform the duties of your exalted station. Amen.

We find no form of election or recognition in the order from the consecration of the kings of France; but in Bohemia, the burgrave of Prague, in the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity, pronounced that such an one was elected king of Bohemia; upon which the multitude responded, "Long live king of Bohemia! may he triumph over all the enemies of the republic!"

THE FIRST OBLATION.

While the anthem of recognition is sung, the archbishop, and the bishops who assist him, advance to the altar, and vest themselves in rich copes; after which, the archbishop takes his proper place at the north side of the altar. The sovereign then rises, supported by two bishops and attended by the dean of Westminster, and, preceded by the officers of state and the noblemen carrying the regalia, advances towards the altar uncovered, and kneels down upon the cushions. In this form the first oblation, consisting of a pall of cloth of gold, and an ingot of gold of a pound weight, is offered by the sovereign, who receives them from the lord

high chamberlain. The archbishop, assisted by the dean of Westminster, receives them reverently from the sovereign, and places them upon the altar. A similar offering is made by the sovereign's consort, when there is one to share in the coronation. After the oblation is presented, their majesties make their obeisances to the altar, and retire to their chairs on the south side of the area. After a short pause, the sovereign kneels on the faldstool placed before his (or her) chair, and the archbishop says the following prayer:

O God, which dost visit those who are humble, and dost comfort us by thy Holy Spirit, send down thy grace upon this thy servant that by him (or her) we may feel thy presence among us, through Jesus Christ.

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Amen.

In the order for the coronation of Edward VI., it is directed that the king, instead of returning to his chair, "shall fall groveling before the altar." The modern practice was introduced at the coronation of James I.

When the collect is concluded, the different officers of state deposit the regalia on the altar, and then retire to the seats prepared for them behind the sovereign's chair.

PROPER SERVICE OF THE DAY.

In all the forms of coronation before the accession of James II., the first oblation was followed by the sermon and the oath; but since that time the Litany is previously read by two bishops, the choir singing the proper responses. In the form for the coronation of James I., we find the following direction:

After the Litany shall be added:

That it may please thee to strengthen and preserve thy servant here present, in piety, justice, and sanctity;

Resp. We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

After the collect, "We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully look upon our infirmities," two