Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 13.pdf/323

 2Ç0

It was not until the union of England and Scotland in the reign of Queen Anne that "Great Britain" came into use. When the act of union was passed and Ireland lost its legislative independence, it was ordered that the royal title should be: "Gcorgius Tcrtins, Dei Gratia, Britanniarum Rex, Fidci Defensor." This was the first time the long-prized title, "King of France." had been dropped, and this was only one hundred years ago (1801). On the 2ist of January, 1837, Hanover was dropped from the Queen's style when she came to the throne, no woman, according to the Constitution of that country, being eligible to reign. An other change was made in 1876 when Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India. Certain isles and even towns still have the right to be mentioned in any proclama tion which requires the king's signature, though this has not been insisted on except on very rare occasions. The proclamation of King Edward VIL, "requiring all persons being in office or authority" to continue in the execution of their duties, specifies as the places to which this shall refer as: "Our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire land, Dominion of Wales, Town of Berwickupon-Tweed, Isles of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark or Man, or any of Our Foreign Possessions, or. Colonies, or Our Empire of India." The oath which the new king will have to take on his coronation is the one prescribed by statute (i Will, and Mary, st. i, c. 6.) with a slight modification on account ofethe dis establishment of the Irish Church. It had been found that prior kings had tampered with the oath, and there is in existence a copy of the oath sworn to by Henry VIII., inter lined and altered with his own hand. To pre vent any such changes in future the wording of the oath was established by statute. He will take his place in a chair before and below the throne. Then the Archbishop of Canterbury, accompanied by the high officers of the State, presents him to the people to receive their homage, which is rendered by the bovs of Westminster School. This is

called "the recognition." Then follows the oblation of gifts on the altar; then the Litanyis chanted, and the Communion office com menced. After the Xicene Creed the corona tion oaths are taken. The Archbishop of Canterbury will de mand: "Sir, is your majesty willing to take the oath?" To which Edward will reply: "I am willing." Then the Archbishop will put these questions, a printed copy of which, to gether with the necessary responses, will have been given to the king: "Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the domin ions thereto belonging, according to the statutes in Parliament agreed on, and the respective laws and customs of the same?" The King: "I solemnly promise so to do." "Will you, to your power, cause law and justice, in mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?" "I will." "Will you, to the utmost of your power, maintain the laws of God, the true profession of the gospel and the Protestant reformed re ligion, established by law? And will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settle ment of the united church of England and Ireland, and the doctrine, worship, discipline and government thereof, as by law estab lished within England and Ireland, and the territories thereunto belonging? And will you preserve to the bishops and clergy of England and Ireland, and to the churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges as do, or shall appertain unto them, or any of them?" "All this I promise to do." The king then goes to the altar, and lay ing his hands upon the Gospels, takes the fol lowing oath: "The things which I have heretofore prom ised, I will perform and keep, so help me God." The king then kisses the book and signs the oath. After the taking of the oaths comes the