Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-29
THE PRINCE OF WALES.
VIII he ThrOncd Same as In the
Fifteenth Century.
U.ondon Daily New

NOhNon IdiS -NcNS.J
When the time comes Cor a new king
of England the College Of Arms will pro-
claim him. just as they have proclaimed
every monarch for hundreds of wears
past. Times change and dynasties. We
are less like the Englishmen of Edward
/. than we are like the modern laps. We
talk different tongue. We 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 de-
tail of procedure or "a button on a uni
form. What Is is good ana cannot be
improved. Therefore. the business of
proclamation will be the same IN the
twentieth century as II was In the If
tenth.
When the time unhappily comes for a
new king TO reign the Privy Council will
meet and declare the throne to nave de-
volved 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
will be made In the courtyard OF st.
James's palace, where the guard Is
changed. Garter King. the chief officer
of the college, Will make the proclima-
ton in solemn form. with the Earl Mar
shall, the knights, the heraAds and the
pursuivants IN full uniform and mounted
hard by. At this proclamation the mon
arch IL present, sitting at the window
where all his predecessors nave sat.
That is the chieftest of the proc ina
tions. but the news has to be carried far
and wide to the distant cities, .he rank
OF the proclaiming officer descending as
the business proceeds The second pro-
nouncement Is made at Charng Cross,
and the third at the corner of Chlncery
lane.
At this proclamation there will be q
modification of the ancient form, ewing
to the disappearance of Temple Bar. With
in the city OF London the Lord Mayor
and sheriffs preserve their ancient sover-
eighty. and allow no ruler within their
gates except after permission has been
asked and granted The cid form was
for the junior pursuivant to rap at the
gate and show his warrant for procla-
nation. Then the Lord Mayor ordered
the gates to be opened and. joined In the
stately procession. The ceremony VIII
doubtless remain, barring the knock al
the gate. which does not exist. In the
provinces the proclamations are made by
the local mayors
Being proclaimed and crowned, the
King has to offer to fight for his throne.
In the olden times, when king reigned
by the power OF his right arm. his was
a necessary formality, and because II
was necessary once it Is done still. But
the king no longer does his own fighting.
He has champion. the hereditary cham
pion of England, whose duty IL Is to DO
battle with all corners for the crown.
The champion Is always member OF the
Dymoke family. When the King Is
crowned this champion rides Into West
minister Hall, mohnted and IN full armor.
lust as the champion was 600 years ego.
He Is accompanied by the Earl Marshal
and the Lord Great Chamberlain. also on
horseback. The hall Is crowded with
ucketed sightseers. A proclamation IL
read by one Of the heralds, challenging
anybody who disputes the right or 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' futter In anti
clpation OF fight. But 1t Is all disap-
pointing sham. IL some enterpr,sing per-
SON 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
IL back to the champion, and then the
King Is firmly seated on his throne.