Page:Prerogatives of the Crown.djvu/423

 Ch.XVII.] Of the King's Family and Councils. 403 Queen, as aurum regina;^ or Queen's gold, being a portion of monies voluntarily paid to the King by any subject, by way of offering or fine for any franchise or liberty granted him, &c. [a) ; rents or reservations out of the demesne lands of the Crown (&); and (though the addition may be deemed ludicrous) her Ma- jesty's share (that is, the tails) of whales, but not of sturgeons, taken on the coasts (c). But as these sources of emolument have long since fallen into decay^ it will not be necessary to make any further mention of them. 3. Notwithstanding the death of the King, his consort, who thereby becomes the Queen Dowager, retains most of her pri- vileges {d). But it is no longer high treason to conspire her death, or to violate her chastity, as the purity of the royal suc- cession cannot be tainted thereby. She does not lose her royal rank by marrying (^) a commoner (y); and is entitled to dower though an alien born (g). With respect to the King's children, the eldest son or heir apparent and his consort, and the King's eldest daughter, who alone would inherit on failure of male issue, particularly claim our attention. That the succession may be less open to doubt and danger, it is high treason to conspire the death of either of these high personages ; or to defile the persons of either of the latter {h). The eldest son or heir apparent of the King, has, since the time of Edward 1 ., who conquered Wales, been titular Prince or Princess of Wales. But this title, and that of Earl of Chester, which has also been usually granted to the heir (a) 12 Co. 22. Com. Dig. Roy. F. 2. consort. Per Hale, Ca. Ch. 215. So if a Fortesc. R. 398. 1 Bla. Com. 219, &c. Queen consort grants, it is not deter- b) Ibm. mined when she becomes dowager. (c) Ibid. 222. Skin. 15- (rf) 1 Bla. Com. 223. The hospital ^e) Whether she can marry without of Saint Katharine was founded by licence of the King seems questionable, Eleanor, d<jwagerof King Hen. 3. with see 1 Bla. Com. 223. cites 2 Inst. J 8, reservation of the patronage, sibi, <SCc. Riley's Plac. Par). 72. See Co. Lit. 133. £t reginis succedentibus wherefore the Hargr. note. Fortesc. R. 418. Queea dowager shall always have the (/) 2 Inst. 50. 1 Bla. Com. 223. nomination of a master, when there is {g) Ibid. Fortesc. R. 420. not aQueen consort in esse. Ca. Ch. 215. (A) 1 Bla, Com, 223. iSkin. 15. So though there be a Queen P p 2 apparent,