The Grooms of the Removing Wardrobe in the interim spread a large Turkey-work carpet from the altar down below the halfpaces thereof, as far as King Edward's chair and the GentlemanUsher of the Black-Rod, and the Yeoman of his Majesty's said Wardrobe, assisted by the two Grooms aforesaid, spread a rich carpet of cloth of gold over it, and lay cushions of the same for their Majesties to kneel on, at the steps of the altar.

Then the King rises from his chair (on the east side of the theatre below his throne) leaving the Queen in hers; being supported by the two Bishops, and attended (as always) by the Dean of Westminster: the great officers and the noblemen who carry the four swords and regalia going before him, put off his cap of estate, and go to the steps of the altar, and there kneel down upon the cushions.

Here the pall of cloth of gold is delivered to the Lord GreatChamberlain, by the Master of the Great Wardrobe, who, kneeling, presents it to his Majesty, and the King offers it.

Then the Treasurer of his Majesty's houshold delivers to the Lord Great-Chamberlain an ingot, or wedge of gold, of a pound weight (viz. 12 ounces Troy) which the King also offers.

The Archbishop, assisted by the Dean of Westminster, receives them (standing) from his Majesty, and lays them reverently on the altar which done, the King arising makes an obeisance towards the altar, and retires to his chair on the south-side of the area or sacrarium.

Then the Queen supported as before by the Bishops, is brought from her seat, (on the east-side of the theatre below her throne) her regalia being borne before her; and being come to the steps of the altar, kneels down, and offers a like pall, with the same ceremony as the King did before, and then retires to her chair, set for her likewise on the south-side of the area, or on the King's left-hand.

After which, their Majesties kneeling at their faldstools placed before their chairs, the Archbishop says the following prayer.

GOD, who dwellest in the high and holy place, with them also who are of an humble spirit; look down graciously upon these thy servants, [George] our King, and [Charlotte] our Queen, here prostrate before thee at thy footstool, and mercifully receive these oblations, &c.

Which prayer being ended, the Lords, who bore his Majesty's regalia, draw near to the steps of the altar, and every one, in order, presents what he carried, viz. The crown, the orb, the scepter with the dove, the spurs, the sceptre with the cross, and St. Edward's staff, unto the Archbishop; who being assisted, as before, by the Dean of Westminster, lays them decently upon the altar, and the Lords who bore them retire to their respective seats.

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In like manner the Lords who carried her Majesty's regalia, deliver them severally in manner as before, viz. First the crown, then the scepter with the cross, and lastly the ivory rod with the dove, and retire to their respective seats.

Which done, the persons representing the Dukes of Aquitain and Normandy, with the great officers, viz. The Lord Keeper, the Lord Treasurer, the Lord President of the Council, and the Lord Privy Seal, together with the Lord High-Constable and the Earl Marshal, repair to their seats on the south-side of the area, behind their Majesties chairs, where the Lord High Steward, (who bears his Majesty's crown) had immediately before seated himself.

The LITANY.

Their Majesties arising from their chairs, and kneeling again at their faldstools, which are now placed facing the east, the Queen's on the left-hand of the King's, the Archbishop orders the Yeomen of his Majesty's Vestry, to give notice to the Bishops of Oxford and St. Asaph to read the litany, which they accordingly sing,

O God the Father of Heaven, &c.

The choirs sing the reponses, the Dean of Westminster kneeling on the left-hand of the King, a little behind his Majesty.

After which, viz. at the end of the collect,

We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities.

The Archbishop being all this while at the north-side of the altar, says these two prayers.

ALmighty and everlasting God, Creator of all things, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, give ear, we beseech thee, unto our humble prayers; and multiply thy blessings upon this thy servant [George] whom in thy name, with lowly devotion, we onsecrate our King, &c.

God, who providest for the people by thy power, and rulest over them in love, grant unto this thy servant [George] our King, the spirit of wisdom and government, &c.

After the litany is ended, the Yeomen of the Vestry carry back the desk and cushions into St. Edward's Chapel, where they wait to perform any occasional commands of his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The SERMON.

Then the Bishop, appointed to preach the sermon, ascends the Pulpit placed against the great north-east pillar of the theatre at half an hour after one of the clock; and the King and Queen arising, seat themselves again in their chairs, on the south-sidė of the area, where they hear the sermon, the King now putting on again his velvet cap of state turned up with ermine.

The said Bishop, beginning with the Lord's prayer, names his text, and, during sermon, (which continues near half an hour) the two Bishops, who support the King, stand on each side of him: the Lords, who carry the swords, bear them erected near the King on his right side; and the Lord Great Chamberlain stands on the King's left hand.

On each side of the Queen stands the two Bishops who supported her, and the two great ladies near her chair; her Lord-Chamberlain on her right hand, and her Vice-Chamberlain on her left.

The Archbishop of Canterbury sits in a purple velvet chair, on the north-side of the altar. And the Bishops on benches on the north side of the area. And near the Archbishop stands Garter King of Arms, with several of the King's servants, who attend to do service. As also the Serjeant and two Yeomen of the Vestry before-mentioned, in scarlet mantles: on the same side near the pulpit, stand the Lord Mayor of London and the Master of the Jewel House. And at the angles or corners of the thrones, stand the four Gentlemen Ushers daily waiters, richly habited.

On the south-side, east of the King's chair, and nearer to the altar, stand the Dean and Prebendaries of Westminster; and near them, the Commissioners of the great wardrobe, as also the Yeomen and Grooms of his Majesty's removing wardrobe in their scarlet gowns, to place the chairs and faldstools, &c. as occasion requires; and King Edward's chair, in which his Majesty is crowned, is placed about the middle of the area before the altar.

In the Lord Great Chamberlain's seat, being a large box on the south side of the area, between the great south east pillar of the theatre, and the next pillar eastward, generally sit the Princes and Princesses of the royal family.

And over them, in a large gallery between the said two pillars, Ambassadors and foreign ministers, and strangers of quality.

The OATH.

Sermon being ended, the King uncovers his head, and the Archbishop repairs to his Majesty, and asks him, Sir, are you willing to take the oath usually taken by your predecessors? And the King answers, I am willing.

Then the Archbishop ministers these questions; to which the King (having a book in his hand) answers as followeth.

Archb. Sir, will you grant and keep, and by your oath confirm to the people of England, the laws and customs to them granted by the Kings of England, your lawful and religious predecessors; and namely, the laws, customs, and franchises granted to the clergy by the glorious King St. Edward, your · predecessor, according to the laws of God, the true profession of the Gospel established in this kingdom, and agreeing to the prerogative of the Kings thereof, and the antient customs of this realm?

King. I grant and promise to keep them.

Archbp. Sir, will you keep peace and godly agreement entirely, according to your power, to the holy church, the clergy, and the people?

King. I will keep it.

Archbp. Sir, will you, to your power, cause law, justice, and discretion, in mercy and truth, to be executed in all your judgements?

King. I will.

Archb. Sir, will you grant to hold and keep the rightful customs which the commonalty of this your kingdom have? and will you defend and uphold them to the honour of God, so much as in you lieth?

King. I grant and promise so to do.

Then the petition or request of the Bishops to the King, is read by one of that sacred order with a clear voice, in the name of the rest standi by; Our Lord and King, we beseech you to pardon us, and to grant and preserve unto us, and the churches committed to our charge, all canonical privileges, and due law and justice; and that you will protect and defend us, as every good King in his kingdom ought to be protector and defender of the Bishops and churches under their government.

The King answers, with a willing and devout heart, I promise and grant you my pardon; and that I will preserve and maintain to you, and the churches committed to your charge, all canonical privileges, and due law and justice: and that I will be your protector and defender to my power, by the assistance of God, as every good King in his kingdom ought in right to protect and defend the Bishops and churches under their government.

Then the King rises from his chair, and being attended by the Lord Great Chamberlain, and supported by the two Bishops, and the sword of state carried before him, he goes to the altar, and laying his hand upon the Evangelists, takes the oath following; The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and kech. So help me God, and the contents of this book; and then kisses the book.

The ANNOINTING.

This being done, the King goes to his faldstool (which is placed towards the altar) and kneels thereat; the Queen in the mean time coming from her chair to her faldstool, on the left hand of the King's, at which she also kneels, whilst the choirs sing a full anthem, Veni Creator Spiritus, as prefatory to the annointing, except another be appointed instead thereof.

ANTHEM III.

Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire:

Thou the annointing spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above,
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enlighten with perpetual light
The dulness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face,
With the abundance of thy grace.

Keep far our foes; give peace at home:
Where thou art guide no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee of both to be but one.
That thro' the ages all along,
This may be our endless song ;

Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

After which the Archbishop says the prayer to the collect:

WE beseech thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and everlasting God, for this thy servant, King [George] that as at first thou didst bring him into the world by thy divine providence, and through the flower of his age hast preserved him unto this present day; so thou wouldst enrich him evermore with thy bounty, and fill him with grace and truth, and daily increase in him all goodness, in the sight of God and man; that being placed in the throne of supreme government, assisted by thy heavenly grace, and by thy mercy defended from all his enemies, he may govern the people committed to his charge, in wealth, peace, and godliness, thro' Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. After the collect the Archbishop with a loud voice says. Archb. The Lord be with you. Respons. And with thy spirit.