The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-24
WHEN THE KING CONES IN.
IFrom the London MALL

1
When the time comes (Which may
Heaven delay for new king of Eng
land the College of Arms viii proclaim
him, just as they have proclaimed ev-
cry monarch for hundreds of years
past.
Times changAand dynasties. We are
less like the Englishmen Of Edward l.
than we are like the modern JapS- We
talk different tongue, we eat dlHerenC
foods, we wear different clothes, we
think different thoughts. Nothing is
the same, except the columns on stone
henge and the College of Arms The
college abides, varying by not so much
as a detail of procedure or a button on
a uniform What is is good, and can
not be improved. Therefore the bust
ness of proclamation will be the same
in the twentieth century as it was in
the fifteenth.
When the time unhappily comes for
a new king to reign, the privy council
will meet and declare the throne to
have devoIved on the Prince of Wales.
Orders will at once be given to the
Earl Marshal and the officers Of the
College of Arms to proclaim him. The
first proclamation viii be made in the
courtyard of St. James Palace, where
the guard changed
Garter king, the chief officer of the
college, viii make the proclamation in
solemn form. with the Earl Marshal,
the kings, the heralds and the pursuiv
ants IN fuII uniform and mounted hard
py- At this proclamation the monarch
Is present, sitting at the window, where
all his predecessors have sat.
That is the chiefest of the proclama-
fiOnS; but the news has to be carried
far and wide to the distant city, the
rank Of the prOclaiming officer descend
ing as the business proceeds. The sec
Ond announcement is made at Charing
Cross, and the third at the corner of
ChanCery Lane.
At this proclamation there will be a
modification of the ancient form, Ow-
ing to the disappearance OfTemple Bar.
mayor and sheriffs preserve their
ancient sovereignty, and allow no ruler
within their gates except after permits
sion asked and granted.
The old form was for the junior pur-
suivant to rap at the gate and show his
warrant for proclamation. Then the
lord mayor ordered the gate to be open
ed, and Joined in the stately procession.
The ceremony will doubtless remain,
barring the knock at the gate, which
does not exist. The last proclamation
is made either at the corner of Wood
street Cheapside, or beside the Royal
Exchange. In the provinces the proc
1amations are made by the local
Being proclaimed and crowned. the
king has to offer to fight for his throne
IN the olden times, when a king reigned
10y the power of his right arm, this was
a necessary formality, and because it
was necessary once it is done still But
the king no longer does his own fight
ing. He has a champion the here
u
BUSINESS it is to do battle with all com
ers for the crown.
The champion is always a member of
the OymOke family. When the king is
crowned he rides into Westminster
Hall, mounted and in full arnor. Just
as the champion was six hundred years
ago He is accompanied by the Earl
Marshal and the Lord Great Chamber
lain, also on horseback. The hall is
crowded with ticketed sightseers.
A proclamation is read by one of the
~h0r7
putes the right of the sovereign to com
bat in an open space. The champion
throws down his gauntlet as guaran-
tee Of good faith, and then the hearts
of all the ladies hutter in anticipation
of a fight.
But it is all a disappointing sham If
some enterprising person were to take
up the challenge and the gauntlet he
would probably be run in by the police
for creating a disturbance! The herald
takes up the glove and hands it back