The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-08-14
SYMBOLS OF MAJESTY
King Edward Receives the Crown
and Scepter.

London, Aug. IL. king Edward and
Queen Alexandra were crowned in
Westminster abbey shortly after noon
Saturday. Though the ceremony was
bereft of some of the elaboration and
pagentry originally contemplated, it
lacked little in the way of spectacular
perfection. The whole ceremonial was
of a magnifcently decorative charac-
ter, and presented a constantly chang
ing panorama around the two central
figures enthroned in their robes of vel
vet, ermine and cloth-of-gold, amidst
the distinguished assemblage of act
ors, the fulfillment of whose various
roles necessitated constant movement.
Each stage of the ceremony, with its
old world usages, furnished its quota
of interest, while the interior of the
noble church, filed as it was with
officiating prelates in vari-colored
capes, with princes and diplomats, Off
GERS in gold-laced uniforms, with her
aids, pursuivants and other officers of
state in medieval costumes, with peers
and peeresses in rich robes, with ORR
entail potentates in many-hued raj
ment, with men of all types and all
shades of complexion, from distant
points of the now crowned monarch's
empire, with its dazzling display of
Jewels and wealth of color, presented
picture which in its combined bril-
liancy and distinction has seldom been
excelled.
rrIa oaraponiaS co,n D,apcad with tho
reconsecration of the regalia. The
procession of clergy with the regalia
then proceeded from the altar to the
annex, all present standing up and the
choir singing so, God, Our Help in
Ages Past" Preceding the regalia
came the boys of Westminster abbey,
followed by the children of the chapel
royal and the choir in royal uniforms.
The duke of Connaught took his
place beside the prince of wales in the
abbey as the procession entered, bow
ing as he passed the prince.
The Queens Arrival.
The archbishop of Canterbury took
his seat in front of the coronation
chair, and the earl of Halsbury, the
lord high chancellor, seated himself
by his side. Several minutes elapsed,
however, before the king and queen
came in sight of those gathered about
the throne. Suddenly "Vivat Alexan-
dra!" was shouted by the boys of
Westminster, and the queen, walking
slowly to the left of the throne,
gained her chair and knelt at silken
prize dieu, her magnificent train of
cloth of gold being lifted out of her
way by six scarlet-coated pages.
Kings Approach Delayed.
Two or three minutes later came the
boys of "Viva rex Edwardus!" with
blasts from trumpets. Yet there was
another wait. "What has become of
the king?" was asked by people who
were shut off from sight of the nave.
The queen waited patiently, the organ
ceased and then resumed, there was
another fanfare of trumpets, another
chorus of "vivats" and King Edward
appeared and walked to his chair in
front of the throne, bowling to the
queen as he passed, and then knelt
down in prayer. After removing his
somewhat unbecoming cap his majesty
stood up and the archbishop of Canter-
bury, in trembling voice, read the
Recognition" beginning: "Sirs, I here
present unto you King Edward, the
undoubted king of this realm" etc.
Then there was hoarse shout, and
the blending of the choir and the peo-
pie, women and men, in the cry: God
save King Edward" Several times
this was repeated, and the abbey rang
with loud fanfares.
Again the king and queen knelt, and
the archbishop of Canterbury walked
to the altar and commenced the COM
munion. While the Gospel was being
read the king stood erect, supported
on each side by the bishops in their
heavy embroidered capes. During the
singing of the creed all the members
of the royal family turned eastward.
Both King Edward and Queen Alex
andra followed the service carefully,
frequently looking at the copies of the
service which they held in their hands.
Administration of the Oath.
The administration of the oath fol-
lowed. Standing before the kings
chair, the archbishop asked: "Sir, IS
your majesty willing to, take the
oath?" The king answered in firm,
strong tones: 81 am willing" ETC., his
replies being easily heard high up in
the triforium near the roof. Then
the inkstand was brought, and the
king signed the oath. He did not ad-
vance to the altar, but sat in the chair
he had occupied since the service be-
gan. While the choir sang "Come,
Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire" the
king remained seated and the queen
stood up.
The Amounting Ceremony.
After the archbishop's amounting
prayer gold canopy was brought
over the kings chair and his majes-
ty Invested himself of his outer robe
and then walked to the ancient
chair, while the choir sang Seadok's
anthem. The amounting ceremony
was scarcely seen owing to the can
opy. The spectators were just able
to discern the archbishop of Canter-
bury's motions.
After the prayer the king donned
the colobium sindonis. then resumed
his seat, and from a scarlet. silken
roll on which the prayers were
printed in large type and which was
held by the, dean of Westminster,
the archbishop of Canterbury read
the prayers and delivered the sword
to the king, who did not go to the