The National Register.
London, England, 1821-07-23 00:00:00

THE CROWNING.

The Archbishop standing before the altar, and hawing
St. Edward's cross before him, took the same into his
hands and blessed it. Then the Arcbishop (the Dean
of Westminster carrying the crown) came from the
altar, and placed it upon his Majesty's head. At that
moment the trumpets sounded ; cannon were fired with-
out, and the anthem " The King ;hall rejoice in thy
strength" was sung. As soon as the crown was upon
his Majesty's head, the Peers put on their coronets, and
the Bishops their eaps.
The Dean then taking the Holy Bible from the altar,
delivered it to the Archbishop, who, attended by the
rest of the Bishops, presented it to the King. The King
returned the Bible to the Archbishop, who gave it to the
Dean, to he by him replaced on the altar. Te !)ruse
was sung, during which the King removed to the chair
on which he first sat, on the east side oh tile tiirmie.—
At the end of the 'I e Dean the King was conducted to
the throne by the Bishops and Peers.

THE HOMAGE.
The ArchbiAep of Canterbury then knelt berore the
King, and himself and the other Lords Spiritual, pro-
nounced the words of homage, the Bishops kneeling
around him, and saving after him. The Archbishop
then kissed his Majzsty's left cheek, and the rest of the
Bishops after him, and retired. Then the Duke of
York, ascending the steps of the throne, and taking off
his coronet, prepared to kneel and pronounce the words
of homage, but the King (without permitting the cere-
molly) raised him and cordially shook him by the hand ;
and his 1111ajesty observed the same course by all the
Royal Dukes. (Great applause from the spectators.)
The Dukes and other Peers then did homage in the
usual form.

In the mean time the Treasurer of the Household
threw coronation medals among the Peers and spec-
tators.

TUE HOLY SACRAMENT.
After the homage, the two Bishops, who had read
the epistle and gospel, received front the altar, by the
hands of the Archbishops, the patina and chalice, which
they carried into St. Edward's chapel, and brought fron►
thence the bread upon the patina and the wine in the
chalice. His Nl.4jesty then descended Gout the throne,
and went to the altar, where, taking off his crown, he
delivered it to the Lord Great Chamberlain to hold. His
Majesty then nceived the sacrament, the Aichbishois
administered the bread, and the Dean of 'Westminster
the cup.
The choir then sang the last anthem, " Blessed be
thou, Lord God of I,rael,- &c.; 'id, at the conclusion,
the trunipe:s soninled, the drum, heat. 341(1, amidst the
acclamations of the ,i,seuthly, the King, put on his
crown,jild, taking the two sceptres in his hands, again
ascended the throne, and sat there, supported and at-
tended as behire, until the conehistwi 01 the post com-
munion SCrt ICC ..1111 the lies ia.
l'he King then proceeded th:.ottu.h the door by the
side of the commumon.table into St. Edward's chapel,
and during his absence, which lasted about ten minutes,
the Abbey became literally deserted ; and when the King
returned, he had empty betich. 5, covered with dirt and
litter, on the one h Ind, and the backs of the courtiers,
expediting their exits with a swat qui peut like rapidity,
presented tiwinselves to its %Jew upon the other. His
Majesty, however, though much iiicumbered with his
splendid attire, moved forward with s.ieming good hu-
mour, and shook hands with the Princess Marti as he
left the Abbey.

STATE OF THE HALL DURING THE ABSENCE

OF THE PRO ESsION.

As soon as the nioccss:oti Ti:ned the hall, it was rut-
lowed by the Ambassadors al:d their suites, the Pecresses,
and all. those who had tick, is of admission to ‘Vcst.
mitister-abbey. They pule, cd(d ,hon.:th the natiages
by the noose of Lards, and on Logo thence through
coy( red slay which led frt.in the lluusr of Li! s to

2:8

Poet's-corner. The har, which lnit a few moments be-
fore presented one of the grandest spectacles, became
now, for a short time almost deierted. Those only re-
mained who haul not to 'Kos for the Abbey, or whose
business detained them in the Hall. The preparations
for the banquet now commenced, and the cloths were
soon laid along the tables at which the Peers, &c. were
to dine. This WAS the first part of preparation. When
it was arrange I, the officers who bad the care of what
is termed the coronation plate, began to place it on two
large side boards placed on the right and left of the
throne. The plate thus exposed was entirely of pore
gold. It consised of several light large dishes and vases
richly embossed. At a little before two o'clock, the
waiters commenced laying on the banquet on the tables
at both sides of the hall. 'llse meats screed up were
all cold, and consisted of fowls, tongues, pies, and a
profusion of sweet meats, conserves, and fruits or every
kind. Before the tables were finally arranged (about
two o'clock). the candks in the several branches Isere

RETURN OF THE PROCESSION TO THE HALL.
At about twenty minutes to four the gates of the ball
were thrown open to ailinit the pmcessam on us return,
in nearly the same order as it left.
On einem% the hall, the Barons of the Cinque Ports
bearing the canopy proceeded with the canopy as tar a,
the steps of the platform. His Majesty did not ascend
the throne on his return, but proceeded immediately to
his chamber. A long imerval now occurred
which the various officers, and especially the lit rt Ids,
made the necessary arrangements for the nobility expect-
ed to return with his Majesty. His Majesty returned in
the robea with which lie hail been
,itivested in the
Abbey, wearing also the saute crown. In his right
hand tie carried the sceptre, and in his left the orb,
which, on taking Isis seat on the throne, he delivered it
to two Peers stationed at his side for the purpose of re-
ceiving them. The twat course was then served up—
It co aisted of 24 gold covers and dishes, carried by as
many Gentlemen Pensioners. Before the dishes were
placed upon the table by the two Clerks of the Kitchen,
the great doors at the bottom of Hall were throw) open
to the sound of trumpets and clarions, and the Duke of
Wellington, as Lord High Constable, the Marquis of
A tiglesea, as Lord Hiatt Steward, and Lord Howard
Effingham, as Deputy Earl Nlarshal, entered upon the
floor on horseback.
While the V 4 covers were placed upon the royal table,
these noblemen remained on horseback at the lowest step
leading to the throne, and as the Gentlemen Pensioners
delivered their dishes they retired backwards between the
three horses, and so left the hall. They were followed
by the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of A tiglesea,
and Lurd Howard of Effittgliam, who backed their
steeds with great skill down the centre of the hall. As
soon as they were beyond the limits of the hall, the
doors were closed.
The dishes yet remaining uncovered, the basin and
•wer were presented by the Lord Great Chamberlain that
his Majesty might wash. He was assisted by the Earls of
Abingdon aunt Vertilani, and the Lord of the Manor of
Heydon was in attendance with a towel. His Majesty
having dipped his fingers in the rose-water, and wiped
them, returned the napkin to the gentleman who had
performed the service of bearing it.
Grace was said before the dishes were uncovered, but
in so low a tone that it was wholly inaudible.
The Dimes of York, Clarence, and Sussex, sitting on
the right hand of the Ante; and the Dukes 01Cattibridge
and Glocester, with Prince Leold, on the left ; the
Carver and Assistant Carver, the Esrls of Detail-tit and •
Chichester, took their stations at the bottom of the table,
attended by the Earls of Mount Edgcombe and Whit-
worth, who acted as Sewer and Assistant-Sewer. The
Duke of Devonshire sustained the orb on the left of the
throne, and the Duke of Rutland the sceptre with the
dove on the right, supported by the Lord of the Manor
of Worksop, with the ordinary umpire, and the Peers
bearing the tour swords. The tureens and dishes were
then uncovered, and the carvers proceeded to help his
Alajesty to sonic sour, of which he tasted.
THE CHAMPION.
The first course having been removed, the attention of
all present was called to the bottom of the hall by a long
and cheerful flourish of trumpets. The great gates were
instantly thrown wide open, and the Champion made
tits appearance under the Gothic archway, mounted on
his lie-bald charger. He was accompanied on the right
by the Duke of Wellington, and on the left by Lord
Howard of Effingham. He was ushered within the li-
mits of the hall by two trumpeters, with the arms of the
Champion on their banners; by the Serjeaut
ter, and by two Setjeants at Arms with maces. An
Esquire in halt armour was on each side, the one bearing
his lance, and the other his shield or target : the three
huraemen were followed by grooms and pages.
The first challenge was given at the entrance of the
hall, the trumpets hiving sounded thrice : it was read
by the Herald attending the Champion, in the following
terms :
"If any person, of any degree soever, high or low,
shall deity or gainsay our Sovereigii Lord Kitig George
the Fourth of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, :on and next heir to our Sovereign Lord King
George the Third, the last Ktiig deceased, to be right
heir to the Imperial Crown of the United Kingdom, or
that he might inn in ,vjoy the same, here 111 his C 11.3111.
111011, Wahl 01.. tic 1;r:11, and is a false traitor; being
ready iii person to combat with him, and in this quarrel
eeiff ailetainite his life ag.enst hint on what day soccer
he shall be .tepomted."
After pausing for a few !•econds, the Champion drew
nff bit gauntlet, and Om w it upon the floor, with a very
as.atily and chivalrous air. As no (Mr 31,1/Cited to accept
I c challenge, the Herald took tip the glove and returned
it to the Champion. The cavalcade then advanced half
way up the hall, when it again halted, and the trumpets
soinaled, the challenge was real! as before, the
gauntlet thrown eio'ssn. and restored to the challenger.
At the foot of the thime .he same ceremony was a third