Coronation of Alexander II and Catarina

The Abbot of Sulthey giving the Benediction after Homage.

The coronation of Alexander II and Catarina of Nikolia as King and Queen of Great Nortend occured on September 12th, 2004, at Sulthey Cathedral. Alexander II acceded to the throne on April 30th, 2003, after the death of Queen Catherine II. According to Erbonian law, however, a coronation within two years is necessary to formalise acceptance of the crown. The Lord Archbishop of Sulthey, Cardinal Dr. Sebastian Williams, pontificated in the Coronation Rite according to the Cardican Rite.

Preparations

Alexander acceded to the throne on April 30th, 2003; however, planning for the coronation did not begin until the day of Saint Peter in Chains on August 1st, when the court left mourning. The Lord Steuard, the Earl of Barminster, was responsible for organising the event who, as had been the established custom, formed a Coronation Committee.

Whilst the Coronation Rite was given in the Book of Rites and unchanging, the need to arrange Alexander's marriage to Catarina before the coronation complicated matters. It was decided to hold the coronation on the Sunday a week after the wedding, which would be held on the Saturday the week prior. A date was mooted in June; however, trade guilds complained that they required more time to order in their merchandise. Thus, the date was moved to the start of September.

Festivities

Pageantry had long been a major element to the coronation festivities. The Lord Archbishop of Sulthey, Cardinal Dr. Sebastian Williams, who had been installed only a few years earlier, had expressed to Barminster his desire for grand ceremony to usher in the new king for the new millennium.

At the previous coronation, there had been complaints over the limited number of spectators which could be accomodated along the route of the procession, especially on the crowded Isle of Sulthey itself, and within the abbey cathedral, as well as the somewhat lacklustre public festivities around the country. For Alexander's coronation, over five hundred coronation fairs were arranged in towns and villages across the country, with votive masses given in celebration.

Music

Sulthey Cathedral, being a monastic church, had a decent choir of monks, boys and lay singing clerks. However, this was not sufficient for a coronation. Therefore, a massed choir of the choirs of the Chapel Royal at St. Michael'sgate, the Royal chapel of St. Giles, St. Peter's Cathedral of Lendert-with-Cadell, and St. Edwin's Cathedral of Rhise were incorporated.

As was traditional, the music was mainly formed of ancient plainchaunt. However, various choral settings of the traditional melodies were used, including those by Reginald Yake and the well-loved setting of the introit anthem, Protector noster, by Sir William Bestman. The setting of the Ordinary was the Coronation Kyrie Rex Genitor service by Jeremiah Clarke.

Before the coronation proper, the setting of Terce was chaunted by the cathedral choir alone, with antiphons and canticle by Sir Henry Lock-Gully.

Processions

The gatehouse at Whiteham Castle where Alexander and Catarine stayed before and after the coronation.

Before the day of the coronation, the newly-wed Alexander and Catarine began their journey to Whiteham Castle in Southannering, the seat of the Duke of Maindy, where monarchs had stayed before their coronation for centuries.

After attending Mattins of the third Sunday of Austin early in the morning at the castle chapel, Alexander and Catarina were conveyed to the Coronation Hall at the castle, used only for coronations. There, the various items of Crown regalia were given to peers to carry in the procession.

Then, Alexander and Catarina rode with peers, clergy and dignitaries in a state, heraldic and military procession out of Whiteham, over the Sovereign's Bridge, and to the Church. Along the 5 mile route from Whiteham to Sulthey, more than a million spectators were accomodated in specially built stands. Alexander, wearing state plate armour specially manufactured for the coronation, with a feathered helmet, and mantle of crimson, rode on horse-back whilst Catarina rode in the Gold State Carriage wearing a gown with a mantle of crimson.

Over 1,000 people were in the procession, including multiple military bands and numerous members of the royal household. The choir of St. Mary's Priory at Whiteham walked in the procession, singing the anthems Firmetur manus tua, Ecce mitto Angelum and Dies super dies inter alia, between trumpet fanfares and acclamations, although they did not participate in the coronation service itself.

Coronation

The Coronation Rite, according to the Book of Rites, comprises of an office, the Coronation Office, which is interpolated within the Coronation Mass. The rite was conducted in English.

Entrance

The choir, clergy, peers and dignitaries entered the cathedral in procession before Terce was chaunted. Immediately afterwards, preceded by Crown regalia borne by peers, Alexander and Catarina entered the cathedral along with the Lord High Officers of State, clergy, peers, dignitaries, the Lord Archbishops of Sulthey, Rhise and Limmes, the Lord Abbot of Sulthey, and the Heraulds of Arms.

During the entrance procession, the Office anthem for the Coronation Mass, Protector noster, was chaunted.

Behold, O God our Protector, and look upon the face of thine Anointed. For one day in thy courts is better than a thousand. Ps. O how amiable are thy dwellings. &c.

As Alexander entered the cathedral, he removed his helmet and gave it to the Baron of Lorry.

Recognition

The Cathedral and Abbey Church of Saint Lawrence on the Isle of Sulthey.

In the sanctuary, the Archbishop presented Alexander to his people on all four sides, asking whether they accepted him to be their king, and to each presentation the people said “Yea, he is worthy”.

Oaths

The Lord Archbishop of Sulthey then administered the Coronation Oath to Alexander upon the State Bible.

Sire, will you grant and keep and by your oath confirm to your people the laws and lawful customs which your just glorious and righteous kingly forebears have granted kept and confirmed?

I will so grant and keep them.

Sire, will you keep and maintain full peace and concord before God to the Holy Catholic church, the clergy and the people so far as in you lieth?

I will so keep and maintain.

Sire, will you render in all your judgments equal and right justice and discretion impartially and wisely in mercy and truth so far as in you lieth?

I will so render.

I, Alexander , swear that the things which I have here before promised and declared in the presence of God and my people, I will so do. So help me God.

Alexander then took swore in English, and signed the oath in Latin, to abide by the Charter of Liberties, which is an ostensibly voluntary renunciation of various rights appurtenent to the sovereign in the presence of the Lord High Steuard, holding the Charter in his left hand

I, Alexander, swear that I for ever renounce certain rights powers privileges and prerogatives appurtenant unto me by ancient law to the extent which I have set out and thus declared in this charter given and dated the second of May in the year of Our Lord two thousand and three. So help me God.

Prayers

The oaths were followed by the prayer Te invocamus Domine and the Litany, Alexander lying prostrate on the floor of the sanctuary for the latter.

Kyrie, Gloria and Collect

The Kyrie eleison then immediately followed, with the trope Kyrie Rex genitor. Afterwards, the Gloria in excelsis Deo was chaunted followed by the Collect of the Day, which was the third Sunday of Austin.

Prophecy

Then was read the Prophecy which was taken from Isaiah 49·23 and chaunted by a lector.

And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

The Grail responsory Dirigatur was then chaunted.

Let my prayer come up into thy presence as the incense: and let the lifting up of my hands be as an evening sacrifice.

Epistle

The Epistle was taken from 1 Saint Peter 2·13–17 and chaunted by the subdeacon.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

The Alleluya followed, and then the Sequence, Rex lætabitur in virtute tua.

Gospel

The Gospel was taken from Saint Matthew 22·15–22 and chaunted by the deacon.

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute-money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Cæsar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's: and unto God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Creed

The Nicene Creed was then chaunted.

Hymn and Prayers

The Hymn, Veni Creator spiritus was then sung, followed by the prayers Omnipotens sempiterne, Bonedio Domine, Deus ineffabilis and Deus qui populis.

Anointment

The Anointment Preface, beginning with Sursum corda was said, followed by the Anointment as the anthem Sadoc sacerdos was chaunted.

Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet anointed Solomon king, and all the people rejoiced and said, God save the King for ever.

Alexander's armour was then removed, except for his cuisses, greaves and sabatons, leaving him in a scarlet shirt. Whilst prostrating, Alexander's hands were first anointed followed by the prayer Prospice Omnipotens. The shoulders, elbows and crown were then anointed, before the prayers Deus Dei filius and Deus qui es justorum were said.

Vesting and Deliverance

After this, Alexander rose. He was vested in the white linen chemise, the purple Dalmatic with the prayer Deus Rex regum, followed by the Armils of gold, similar to a broad stole. This was followed by the golden Pall and the scarlet gloves. The Ring was then taken with the prayer Deus cælestium, blessed and then placed on Alexander's ring finger, followed by the prayer Deus cuius est. The Sceptre was then given, followed by the prayer Omnium Domine fons, and then the Rod, before the Archbishop then blessed Alexander. He was then presented with the Sword.

Crowning, Enthronement and Homage

The Earl of Alsby, then Lord High Treasurer, paying homage.

Immediately after the Investiture and Deliveries, Alexander was crowned. After the acclamation Vivat Rex was given by the Lord Archbishop, the Great Acclamation, “GOD SAVE THE KING”, resounded through the cathedral, followed by the anthem Deus in virtute tua. He was then lifted up and guided to the throne by the clergy, followed by the prayer Sta et retine.

The clergy and peers then paid their homage to the enthroned Alexander, beginning with the Lord Archbishop of Sulthey who said the following in English.

I, Sebastian, Archbishop of Sulthey, shall faith and troth bear unto you our Sovereign Lord the King and shall do and truly knowledge the service of the lands I hold of you as in the right of your church. So help me God.

Then the lords in order of precedence, beginning with the Prince Arthur, Duke of Faunslaughter, who said the following.

I, Arthur, Duke of Faunslaughter, from this day forth do become your liege man and shall faith and troth of life and limb and of earthly worship bear unto you our Sovereign Lord the King against all men that may live and die and shall do and truly knowledge the service of the land I hold of you. So help me God.

Marcus I Stonebridge, the King of Aswick, gave the following special homage recognising his rank as Earl of Parrum.

I, Marcus, Earl of Parrum, from this day forth do become your liege man and shall in this Realm faith and troth of life and limb and of earthly worship bear unto you the Sovereign Lord the King of this Realm against all men therein that may live and die and shall do and truly knowledge the service of the land I hold of you. So help me God.

Coronation of the Queen

Catarine was then anointed, vested and crowned, the latter with the antiphon Eructavit.

My heart is inditing of a good matter; I speak of the things which I have made unto the King. Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women upon thy right hand did stand the queen in a vesture of gold, wrought about with divers colours. So shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty for he is thy Lord God, and worship thou him.

Thereafter, the hymn Te Deum laudamus was sung.

Offertory, Consecration and Communion

Alexander then came to the altar to offer bread, wine and a pound of gold, whilst the Offertory anthem Intende was chaunted.

O hearken thou unto the voice of my calling, my King, and my God, for unto thee will I make my prayer.

The prayer Omnipotens Deus was then said, followed by a blessing.

The Communion Preface then followed, with the Hagios and Agnus Dei chaunted. The Pax was given only to the deacon, subdeacon and Alexander with the Pacitorium. The Communion anthem Gustate was then chaunted as Alexander and Catarina took communion.

O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is : blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

After the Coronation

The entrance to the Coronation Hall where the Coronation Banquet was held.

After the Mass, Alexander and Catarina, went to a side chapel where he put off the coronation vestments and put back on his armour. Over top, the purple surcoat and mantle were put on. The crowned pair then left the cathedral in coronation robes and were acclaimed by the waiting crowds with shouts of “GOD SAVE THE KING AND QUEEN; LONG LIVE THE KING AND QUEEN; GOD SAVE THE KING AND QUEEN”.

They travelled back to Whiteham Castle in procession. The Coronation Banquet was then held from the mid-afternoon, attended by over two thousand guests and lasting into the evening, all still wearing their coronation robes and uniforms. Alexander felt rather faint after the second course and was forced to retire early.

Guests

Royal guests

• The Prince and Princess Michael, The Duke and Duchess of Harringow

• The Lord Giles and Louise, the Margrave and Marchioness of Yawsough
• The Prince George, The Duke of Eidenburgh and the Master of Harringow (representing Catherine II of Albeinland)

• The Prince and Princess Arthur, The Duke and Duchess of Faunslaughter
• The Prince and Princess Arthur, The Duke and Duchess of Dunricia
• Harold de Lundstone and The Princess Mary, The Margrave and Marchioness of Chepingstow
• Richard de Whiteham and The Princess Susanna, The Duke and Duchess of Maindy
• His Majesty Thomas I
• His Majesty Samuel I (Then His Royal Highness Prince Samuel, Duke of Acril)
• Crown Prince Konstantin, Duke of Sirmia (representing Aleksandar II of Nikolia)
• Grand Prince Viktor, Duke of Venedia and Grand Princess Maria Theresia, Duchess of Venedia
• Crown Princess Anne, Duchess of Nassau and Crown Prince Albert, Duke of Nassau

Foreign Dignitaries

• Prime Minister James Zaier
• Włodzisław Sokal, Chancellor of Nikolia