The evening times., 1899-08-12
WHEN KING EDWARD COMES In.
Ceremonies That VIII he Performed
by the College of Arms.
CFrom the London Mail.) }


When the time comes (which may heaven
delay for o new King OF England the Col
lege OF Arms viii proclaim him, just as
they have proclaimed every monarch Tor
hundreds of years past.
Times change-and dynasties. We are
less like the Englishmen of Edward than
we are like the modern Japs. We talk a
diffarsnt tongue, we eat different FOODS.
we wear different clothes, we think different
thoughts. Nothing is the name, except the
columns on Stonehenge and the College, OF
Arms. The college abides, varying by not
SO much as a detail OF procedure or button
on a uniform. What is is good, and cannot
be improved Therefore, the business OF
proclamation win be the same in the twen-
tieth century as ii was in the fifteenth.
When the time rnhappily comes for q
new King TO reign, the Privy Council will
meet and declare the throne to have de-
volved on the Prince of Wales. Orders viii
at once be given TO the Earl Marshal anc
the officers of the College of Arms 10 pro-
claim 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
heralds. and the pursuiYants in full uniform
and mounted hard by. At this proclama-
tion the monarch is present. sitting at the
window, where all his predecessors have
sat.
That is the chiefest of the proclama
tions; but the news has to be carried far
and wide TO the distant city, the rank of
the proclaimfng officer descending as the
business proceeds. The second pronounce
ment 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, owing
TO the disappearance of Temple Bar.
Within the city of London the lord mayor
and sheriffs preserve their ancient SOW
ereignty, and allow no rules within their
gates except after permission asked and
granted
The old form was for the junior pur-
suivant 10 rap at the gate and show bis
warrant for proclamation. Then the lord
mayor ordered the gate to be opened, and
joined in the stately procession.
The ceremony viii, doubtless, remain,
barring the knock al the gate. which does
not exist. The last proclamation is made
either at the corner of Wood Street, Cheap
side. CT beside the Royal Exchange In
the provinces the proclamations are made
by the local mayors.
Being proclaimed and crowned, the King
has to offer 10 fight for his throne In
the olden times. when a king reigned by
the power of his right arm, this was
necessary forInaiity, and because IL was
necessary once it is done still. But the
King no longer does his own fighting. He
has a champion. the hereditary champion
of England. whose business it is to do bat
tie with all corners for the Crown.
The champion is always member of the
Dymoke family. When the king is crowned
he rides into Westminster Hall, mounted
and in full armor, just as the champion
was six hundred years ago. He is ac-
companied by the Earl Marshal and the
Lord Great Chamberlain. also on horse
back The hall is crowded with ticketed
sightseers.
A 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 fiutter
in anticipation Of a fight.
But il is all a disappointing sham. II
some enterprising person were 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 il back TO the cham
pion, and then the king is firmly seated
on his throne.