Coronation Anecdotes Part 18

At the delivery of the bread, was said,

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving.

At the delivery of the cup,

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

While the King received, the bishop appointed for that service held a towel of white silk, or fine linen, before him.

Then the archbishop went on to the Post Communion, saying,--

Our Father which art in heaven; hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespa.s.ses as we forgive them who trespa.s.s against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Then this prayer,

O Lord and heavenly Father, we, thy humble servants, entirely desire thy fatherly goodness, mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his pa.s.sion. And here we offer, and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that all we, who are partakers of this holy communion, may be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction.

Then was said,

Glory be to G.o.d on high, and on earth peace; good will towards men.

We praise thee; we bless thee; we wors.h.i.+p thee; we glorify thee; we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord G.o.d, heavenly King, G.o.d the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesu Christ.

O Lord G.o.d, Lamb of G.o.d, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of G.o.d the Father, have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord, thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of G.o.d the Father.

Amen.

The King returned to his throne upon the theatre, and afterwards the archbishop read the final prayers.

THE FINAL PRAYERS.

a.s.sist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation, that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord our G.o.d, who upholdest and governest all things in heaven and earth, receive our humble prayers with our thanksgivings, for our Sovereign Lord GEORGE, set over us by thy good providence to be our King: and so, together with him, bless all the Royal Family, that they, ever trusting in thy goodness, protected by thy power, and crowned with thy favour, may continue before thee in health and peace, in joy and honour, a long and happy life upon earth, and after death may obtain everlasting life and glory in the kingdom of heaven, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Saviour; who with thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, ever one G.o.d, world without end. Amen.

Almighty G.o.d, who hast promised to hear the pet.i.tion of them that ask in thy Son's name; we beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ears to us that have made now our prayers and supplications unto thee, and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The peace of G.o.d which pa.s.seth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of G.o.d, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of G.o.d Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always.

Amen.

THE RECESS.

The whole coronation office being thus performed, the King, attended and accompanied as before, the four swords being carried before him, descended from his throne crowned, and carrying the sceptre and rod in his hands, went up the area eastward of the theatre, and pa.s.sed on through the door, on the south side of the altar, into king Edward's chapel; and as they pa.s.sed by the altar, the rest of the regalia, lying upon it, were delivered by the dean of Westminster to the lords that carried them in the procession, and so they proceeded in state into the chapel; the organ all the while playing.

The King then came into the chapel, and standing before the altar, took off his crown, and delivered it, together with his sceptre, to the archbishop, who laid them upon the altar there; and the rest of the regalia were given into the hands of the dean of Westminster, and by him laid there also.

Then the King withdrew himself into his traverse prepared for him upon the western wall of that chapel.

Within his traverse the King was disrobed by the lord great chamberlain of his royal robe of state (which was forthwith delivered to the dean of Westminster to be laid also upon the altar) and again arrayed with his robe of purple velvet, which was before laid ready in the traverse for that purpose.

When the King, thus habited, came forth of his traverse, he stood before the altar, and the archbishop being still vested in his cope, set the crown of state, provided for the King to wear during the rest of the ceremony, upon his head. Then he gave the sceptre with the cross into the King's right hand, and the orb with the cross into his left: which being done, both the archbishop and dean divested themselves of their copes, and left them there, and proceeded in their usual habits.

Then the King carried his sceptre with the cross in his left hand; the four swords being borne before the King, and the heralds having again put the rest of the procession in order, he went on from king Edward's chapel to the theatre, and thence through the midst of the choir and body of the church, out at the west door, and so returned to Westminster Hall.

RETURN OF THE PROCESSION TO THE HALL.

At about twenty minutes to four the gates of the Hall were thrown open to admit the procession on its return.

The cheering in the Hall on the King's approach was neither so spontaneous nor enthusiastic as it was along the line of march: as far as we could see it originated generally with some of the choristers employed to sing the various portions of the ceremonial.

Viewed from the upper end of the Hall through the arched way, the appearance of the white plumes of the knights of the Bath was most magnificent. On their entrance to the Hall, the knights took off their hats, but the peers continued to wear their coronets. The procession then entered in the following order;--

The King's Herbwoman, with her six Maids.

Messenger of the College of Arms.

High Constable of Westminster.

Fife and Drums, as before } Drum Major } Who, on arrival in the Eight Trumpets } Hall, immediately went Kettle Drums } into the Gallery over the Eight Trumpets } Triumphal Arch.

Serjeant Trumpeter }

Serjeant Porter.

Knight Marshal and his Officers.

Six Clerks in Chancery.

King's Chaplains.

Sheriffs of London.

Aldermen and Recorder of London.

Masters in Chancery.

King's Serjeants at Law.

King's Ancient Serjeant.

King's Solicitor-General. King's Attorney-General.

Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber.

Barons of the Exchequer, and Justices of both Benches.