The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1911-06-30
Chain of Accidents Fore
told the Fate of
Charles |.

was eventually brought 70 ehe wrong
landing.
To cap the climax and as though to
dispel any lingering doubt supersti-
tious ones might still entertain all
London that afternoon was shaken by
an earthquake. Whether or not this
chain OF accidents was intended as
warning, the fact remains that they
all occurred at the coronation Of
king who lost his head.
On the 2Sd day OF April. 1851, sc.
Georges day, Charles II. entered his
state barge early in the morning and
went to Westminster. There he dom
ned his robes OF ermine and moved in
procession to the abbey. Kneeling, he
took the oath. which had again been
altered, and was crowned by Arch
bishop Juxon. The crown. embellish-
ed with jewels, was new one. as the
old one had been destroyed In the civil
wars, After the ceremony an elabO-
rate banquet was given at Westmin-
ster hall. preceded by what was be-
lieved to be the first display of Ore
works at an English coronation.
James II. was crowned with q pomp
and ceremony that had never before
been equaled on st. Georges day. 1885,
by Archbishop Sancroft, who was or
dered to abbreviate the ritual on the
pretext Of saving time. but In reality
to appease the Catholic conscience OF
the new king. There was no celebration
OF the holy communion, nor was a copy
Of the English Bible presented. as was
customary. 1t Is related by historians
that the specially prepared amounting
oil so pleased the king and his queen
that they made a present of $1,000 to
the court apothecary.
Crowned as Joint Sovereigns.
From political and religious stand
point the coronation Of William and
Mary on April II. 1850, was significant.
They were crowned as joint sovereigns,
and the coronation rite was approved
by act Of parliament for the first time
In history. This rite declared against
ransubstantiation OF the bread and
wine in the holy communion. Dean
Stanley called attention to the fact
that the coronation oath was altered
into conformity with actual usages OF
the kingdom to maintain the Protes-
tant reformed religion as established
by law"
The house of commons was present
In body in gallery directly behind
the shrine of Edward the Confessor.
AS Archbishop Sancroft refused to OH
ciate on the ground that William and
Mary claimed the throne by act of
parliament and not by hereditary de-
scent Thomas LAmplugh. archbishop
Of York. crowned the queen and Comp
ton. bishop Of London. the king. For
the first time since the coronation OF
Edward vi. copy Of the English BIZ
bic was presented. The day was con-
sldered unlucky by the Jacobites, since
1t was neither a Sunday nor a festival.
William had intended to make an OF.
fering Of 20 guineas. but his purse was
mysteriously stolen before the cere-
mony.
II there is anything In omens that
fact seemed certainly demonstrated at
the coronation OF George Ill, Sept. %,
1761. A large diamond fell from his
crown as he was walking about Just
after the ceremony, and many later de-
clared 1t to be symbolic OF the loss to
England of her American colonies.
The coronation day was the anniver-
sary Of the battle OF Agincourt. Sew
eral changes were made In the coro-
nation service by Archbishop Seeker,
and 1t Is related the pretender, Prince
Charles Edward. was present Incog-
nito. King George was but twenty
two years of age when crowned.
The coronation Of King George w..
July 10. 1921. was marked by lavish
display. Preparations for the event
were made many weeks beforehand,
and every detail was carefully planned.
The coronation oath was altered to at
with the union With the church OF
Ireland. several prayers were omitted
In the ritual. and no reference was
made Ia them to the queen. The day
was excessively hot. and the king be-
came very fatigued under his heavy
and ornate coronation robes. A. mag
niicent banquet followed in Westmin-
ster hall. Golden dishes were used and
food aud drinks provided with lavish
hand.
When Victoria Was Crowned.
Exceeding all in splendor was the
coronation OF Queen Victoria. June IS,
1888. who was but eighteen years of
age when called to the throne That
the event was popular one Is attested
by the fact that the population again
and again broke forth In applause dur
ing the ceremony. At the moment the
crown was actually placed on her head
by Archbishop Howley the shouts and
applause OF the spectators regerberated
through the abbey like peaIs Of thun.
der. The halleIuIah chorus was sung
by choir and orchestra Of 400
The old custom of coronation pro-
cession was revived. and the cavalcade
was made q spectacle OF surprising
splendor. After the ceremony a ban