Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-02
WHEN THE KING COMES IN.
Ceremonies That Will he Performed
by the College of Arms.


by the College of Arms.
From the London Mail
When the time comes (Which may heaven
delay) for a new King of England the Col
lege of Arms will proclaim his, just as
they have proclaimed every monarch for
hundreds of years past.
Times change-and dynasties. We are
less like the Englishmen of Edward l than
we are like the modern Japs. We talk a
different tongue, eat different foods, we
wear different clothes, we think different
thoughts. Nothing is the same except the
columns on Stonehenge and the College of
Arms The college abides, varying by not
so much as a detail of procedure or but
ton on a uniform. What is is good and cam
rot be improved Therefore the business
of proclamat ton 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 meet
and declare the throne to have devolved
on the Prince of Wales. Orders will at once
be given to the earl marshal and the Off
GERS of the College of Arms to proclaim
him. The first proclamation will be made
in the courtyard of St. James palace,
where the guard Is changed.
Garter king. the chief officer OF the col
lege. will make the proclamation In solemn
form with the earl marshal, the kings,
the heraIds and the pursuivants in full
uniform and mounted hard by. At this
proclamation the monarch is present. sit
ting at the window. where all his predeces-
sorS have sat.
That is the chiefest of the procIamations.
But the news has to be carried far and
wide TO the distant city, the rank of the
Uroclaiming officer descending the bust
ness proceeds. The second pronouncement
is made at Charing Cross and the third at
the corner of Chancery Lane.
At this proclamation there will be mod
iflcation of the ancient form, owing to the
disappearance of Temple Bar. Within the
city of London the lord mayor and sheriffs
preserve their ancient sovereignty and al
low no ruler within their gates except
after permission asked and granted.
The old form for the Junior pursuit.
want TO rap at the gate and show his war
rant for proclamation Then the lord
mayor ordered the gate to be opened 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, Cheap
side. or beside the royal exchange. In the
provinces the proclamationS made by
the local mayors.
Being proclaimed and crowned, the king
has to offer TO fight for his throne. In the
olden times, when a king reigned by the
power of his right arm, this was neces-
sary formaiity. and because 1t was reces-
sary one it is done still. But the king no
longer does his own fighting. He Is a
champion, the hereditary champion of Eng
land. whose business it is to do battle
with all corners for the crown.
The champion is always member Of the
Dymoke family. When the king Is crown
ed he rides into Westminster Hall, mounted
and i'll full armor, Just as the champion
was six hundred years ago. He is accom-
panied by the earl marshal and the lord
great chamberlain. also on horseback The
hall is crowded with ticketed sightseers.
proclamation is read by one of the
heralds challenging anybody who disputes
the right of the sovereign to combat in
an open space. The champion throws down
his gauntlet as a guarantee Of good faith
and then the hearts of all the ladies flut-
ter in anticipation of fight.
But II is all a disappointing sham If
some enterprising person We're to take up
the challenge and the gauntlet he would
probably be run IN by the police for Gre
ating a disturbance. The herald takes up
the glove and hands ii back to the cham
pion, and then the king is firmly seated on
his throne.