Vet at the End of the Earth Adventures with Animals in the South Atlantic by Jonathan Hollins

 

	When vet Jonathan Hollins is woken up to be told that his 'old buddy is dead', he is none too happy. Has Jonathan, an Indian Ocean giant tortoise, alive in the time of Napoleon, died on his watch? The residents of St Helena would be sorrow-filled, and the author had bonded with the gentle tortoise. Hollins rushes to check on him. Hollins's days e, rocky and harsh landscapes of St Helena and Tristan de Cunha are filled with adventures like this, such as dealing with mysterious toothfish deaths, cattle-murdering caterpillars and Monkat hysteria. The warm, close-knit communities of the islands welcome him with opon the remoten arms as he copes with several different varieties of animals and illnesses. Hollins really has a talent for describing the beauty of these islands, and making the scientific details easy to understand. This is such a delightful read - I'd love to see a TV series based on this book. I am sure that it would be very popular. I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
ISBN	9780715654866
PRICE	£16.99 (GBP)
EDITION PAGES	304

The Queen and the Duke’s Visit To France in 1957. A Short Video

 The Queen’s Visit to France in 1957

How the Honours of Scotland were Saved

Dunnottar CastleEduardo Unda from Aberdeen, UK, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

 Christian Fletcher rode fiercely along the cliffs of North-East Scotland near Stonehaven, looking behind her occasionally to make sure that she wasn't being followed. She guarded the precious cargo of the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels) which she would throw into the sea if there was any danger of Cromwell getting his hands on them. It was 1652, and Cromwell and the New Model Army, furious about Charles II's coronation in Scotland, were anxious to destroy the Honours. 

They had surrounded Dunottar Castle, where the Honours were hidden in sacks of wool for months, but Sir George Ogilvie, the lieutenant-governor of the castle refused. During the blockade by Cromwell's army, Elizabeth Doublas, his wife, and Christian Fletcher, the seemingly meek minister's wife formed a plan. They knew that the minister's wife would never be suspected. Helped by Anne Lindsay, who walked out of the castle first with the King's papers sewn into her clothes, and a maid, Christian Fletcher carefully smuggled the Honours out. According to one story by a tutor to the Earl Marischal, she lowered them to the beach below where her maid pretended to gather seaweed. However, she said in 1664 that it took her three trips, and she hid the jewels amongst sacks of goods.

She hid them at the foot of her bed first, but then managed to hide them under the pulpit at Kineff Kirk, where they remained for eight years. They were eventually found, to the country's great delight, in an oak chest at Edinburgh Castle. This was largely due to Sir Walter Scott's campaign to find the valuable jewels.

Fletcher was awarded 2000 marks by the Scottish government for her daring rescue of the jewels.

King Charles's 'Scottish Coronation"

 You can watch it here: Scottish Coronation

What Are The Honours of Scotland?

 

Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The huge crowd waiting on Castle Hill cheered loudly as they watched the Royal Standard rise above/Edinburgh Castle. They hugged each other, dancing for joy. The Honours of Scotland, the oldest Crown Jewels in the British Isles, had been found.

After a long struggle, Sir Walter Scott had received a Royal Warrant allowing him to accompany the Scottish Officers of State to search the sealed Crown Room in the castle for the Honours. Few thought that they would actually be stored away there safely. However, it was Scotland's and the great writer's lucky day. The jewels were wrapped carefully in linen in an iron-bound oak chest. It was February 4, 1818, and they had been locked away since the Treaty of Union with England in 1707.

The crest of the royal arms of Scotland shows the red lion of the King of Scotland wearing the crown, and holding the sword and sceptre. These three components make up the regalia of the Honours. When Scottish monarchs were first crowned, they wore gold circlets on their heads. These became fancier, and more detailed over the years. The sword was an 'instrument of sovereignty', and a symbol of power, while the sceptre indicated that the monarch would rule with 'dignity and propriety'.1.

The Crown

The Scottish Parliament., CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The present crown dates from around 1540 when James V instructed Mosman, an Edinburgh goldsmith, to refashion the original crown. It consisted of a circlet of Scottish gold, 22 new gemstones, and precious stones from previous crowns, along with freshwater pearls from Scottish rivers. A velvet and ermine bonnet was added later.

A picture of the previous crown was included in the Book of  Hours commissioned for the wedding of James IV and Margaret Tudor (Henry VIII's sister) in 1503.

The Sceptre

Scotland was regarded as 'a special daughter of the Holy See', so it was a recipient of papal gifts. Pope Alexander V gave the sceptre to James IV in 1494.James V also had this remodelled and lengthened in 1536 by the Edinburgh goldsmith Adam Leys. It is a handle attached to a hexagonal rod, engraved with thisles, fleurs-de-lis, and many other images, topped with a finial of rock crystal probably from the Cairngorm Mountains.

Originally made in Italy of silver gilt, it was remodelled and lengthened for James V in 1535 by the Edinburgh goldsmith Adam Leys. 86 cm long, it consists of a handle attached to the bottom of a hexagonal rod, engraved with floral images,  fleurs-de-lis and grotesques. Stylised dolphins (a symbol of the early Church) and figures, including one of St Andrew, are at the top of the sceptre. 

The Sword of State

The Sword of State was another papal gift to James IV, this time from Pope Julius II. This was beautifully crafted by the Italian Domenico da Sutri, and elegantly decorated with oak trees, which symbolise the risen Christ, and dolphins. The sword's base is etched on both faces with the figures of St Peter and St Paul, along with the Pope's name in inlaid gold lettering. 

The sword also features a scabbard, covered in dark red velvet, and an enamelled panel with the arms of the Pope, and a symbol of the papacy. Images of oak leaves, acorns, dolphins and grotesques also adorn the scabbard. The belt is made of silver and gold thread.

The Honours were first used for the coronation in 1543 of Mary, Queen of Scots, just a baby, who reportedly cried all through it. They were also prominent at James VI's coronation in 1567, and Charles I's in 1633. Charles II's coronation in 1651 in Scotland in the middle of the Civil War so angered Oliver Cromwell that the Scots were terrified of his getting hold of the precious Honours, and ordering them sold, or melted down. They were ordered by the Scottish authorities to be hidden, and first taken to the gloomy fortress of Dunottar Castle. This was besieged for 8 months, so the brave local minister's wife and her friend, took them to Kinneff church (perhaps in a lobster pot!) under the floor for nine years.

The Honours of Scotland were put on public display in 1822 when George IV visited Scotland, and they have been used for many state occasions since. The Honours were presented to King Charles III in celebrations on July 5, 2023, but the old sword was deemed too fragile. A new sword, dubbed the 'Elizabeth Sword' was used for the occasion.

1. Burnett, C.J. Tabraham, C.J. (2001). The Honours of Scotland. The Story of the Scottish Crown Jewels. United Kingdom: Historic Scotland, p.22

 

King Charles III’s Second Coronation

King Charles’s Scottish Coronation

Anne Wears St. Edward's Crown

Near contemporary painting of Anne Boleyn at Hever Castle, c. 1550

Anne Boleyn's most famous motto was 'the most happy,' and indeed she must have been overjoyed to begin her coronation festivities. After a long and traumatic courtship of seven years, she was finally married to the handsome King Henry VIII, and six months pregnant. Now she was going to be consecrated as Queen in a magnificent ceremony.

On May 29, 1533, a spectacular procession of barges set out to Greenwich to begin the journey to the Tower of London, where Anne would be staying before her coronation. About 50 barques followed the leading one with its green dragon making 'noises'. Then came the Mayor's boat with its silver and gold banners, and escutcheons bearing the arms of the King and Queen. One barge displayed a large model of a white falcon, one of Anne's emblems. People must have been overwhelmed by the splendour, and the cacophony, although Anne was not popular, because many remained sympathetic to poor Queen Catherine, treated horribly by Henry.

Queen Anne set out for the Tower of London in her barge at 3.00 pm. As it approached the Tower, more than a thousand guns were fired in a magnificent salute. Sir Edward Walsingham (the Lieutenant of the Tower) and Sir     Kingston met Anne. The King embraced and kissed her lovingly. 

Anne rested the next day. The Ceremony of the Knights of the Bath was also held on this day.

Queen Anne's Procession

Dressed in white cloth of gold with a gold coronet on her flowing, long dark hair, Anne looked stunning as she set out to Westminster Abbey the next day on her procession. Borne in a litter by the four Lords of the Cinque Ports, followed by ladies' chariots and ladies of the court wearing gowns of crimson and velvet, riding horses, she was watched by crowds of onlookers. Guilds dressed in their liveries lined up while the Recorder of London made a presentation to the Queen, and the Mayor gave her a purse of 1000 marks of angel nobles.

As Anne travelled along the route lined with its vivid scarlet, crimson and blue cloth, she witnessed several pageants to honour her. She especially liked seeing the 200 children who recited poetry praising her and the King in front of the Cathedral. After Anne ended her journey at Whitehall Palace, she secretly spent the night with Henry at Westminster.

Queen Anne's Coronation

June 1 must have been tremendously exciting for Anne. Her heart beat rapidly as she prepared for her her coronation day. Two dreams were coming true for Anne. She was about to be anointed as Queen, and she thought that she was carrying the King's heir.

Anne set out dressed in purple and ermine. Her procession to the Abbey included monks wearing gold copes, bishops and archbishops in their finest vestments and an array of courtiers. Her maids wore scarlet with Baltic fur. The Duke of Suffolk bore her crown while two earls carried her sceptres.

The soon-to-be consecrated Queen walked along a route lined with blue ray to the high altar with the Duchess of Norfolk carrying her train as the procession filed into the great Abbey. Her moment had come! She sat down briefly; then she prostrated herself before the altar while her friend and spiritual counsellor, Archbishop Cranmer prayed over her. (It must have been hard for Anne to do this when she was six months pregnant!) She sat on St Edward's chair to be anointed and crowned by the Archbishop, who then handed her her scepre and rod of ivory. 

Anne was the only female Queen to be crowned with the St Edward's Crown. This showed the importance of the ceremony to Henry. She took the sacrament, and made the offering at the shrine of St Edward the Confessor. The King watched incognito from a special screen behind latticework. Anne must have been exhausted, but she was finally Queen in the eyes of God.

Anne’s Last Moments

Anne’s Last Moments

The Disastrous Coronation of William the Conqueror

 Unlike King Charles III's splendid ceremony, William the Conqueror's coronation was a disaster. The King, who had looked forward to a magnificent ritual, instead faced fires, riots and even killings. It was probably the only time that this stern, immensely proud man actually found himself trembling!

Matthew Paris, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

After beating King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William conducted a brutal military campaign in London, eventually forcing Edgar Atheling, the grandson of Edmund II and Saxon heir to the English throne, to surrender. William wanted to defer his coronation that his wife Matilda could be crowned with him, because she was descended from Alfred the Great, so the Anglo-Saxons were more sympathetic to her than to a Norman invader. He said that 'since God granted him this honour, he wished for his wife to be crowned with him'.(Matilda was acting as regent of Normandy).  However, he was advised to have the ceremony as soon as possible to assert his authority.

William was crowned on Christmas Day in 1066 in Westminster Abbey on the very spot where Edward the Confessor, who had allegedly promised him the throne, was buried. There were bad omens from the beginning. Stigand, the Archbishop of Canterbury, refused to perform the ceremony, because he would not 'crown one who was covered with the blood of men, and the invader of others' rights'. The ceremony was conducted by Aldred, the Archbishop of York, in English, and in French by the Bishop of Coutances. William had looked forward to his coronation, even commissioning a magnificent new,  crown 'fashioned out of gold and precious stones' with a ruby at the centre. The order would be the one laid out by Saint Dunstan with some French additions, such as the acclamation of the King.

Norman guards were placed outside the Abbey in case of any trouble. Unfortunately, when the people were asked to acclaim the King, the noise was so loud that the guards thought that there was a riot, and began setting fire to buildings in a violent attempt to put it down. According to one chronicler, smoke filled the church, and the congregation began to flee. William watched 'trembling from head to foot' but he had the presence of mind to insist that the ceremony be completed, William then took the oath, in which he promised 'that he would rule all this people as well as the best of kings before, his, if they would be loyal to him,' and he was finally crowned. 

The King and Queen Have Arrived At Buckingham Palace

 The King and Queen have arrived at BP.

The First Guests Arrive.

Guests arrive.

The BBC Guide to the Coronation

 The King’s big day has arrived, and excitement is rising! Here is the BBC Guide.

The New King Will Ride In Comfort To His Coronation in An Australian-Made Coach

The Diamond Jubilee State Coach, Grahamedown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

King Charles III will ride in comfort to his coronation tomorrow in an Australian-made coach. The Dianond Jubilee State Coach was made by Jim "WJ" Frecklington in Manly, Sydney. The beautiful coach has six hydraulic stabilisers to ensure a smooth ride, heating, electric windows and even air-conditioning. It needs six horses to draw it, though.

Jim Frecklington, who used to care for the Queen's show horses, wanted to make 'something nice' for her. Although he received a grant from the Howard government for $245,000.00, he also mortgaged his house so that he could afford to manufacture it.

The coach is made from aluminium on the outside which looks like old-fashioned wood, but the interior wooden panels include segments from 100 historic palaces, ships and buildings, including the Mary Rose, the Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral. The crown on top of the coach is crafted from timber from Lord Nelson's famous ship, HMS Victory. Jim Frecklington told the Sydney Morning Herald that he 'tried to encapsulate 100 years of the history of England in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach which I think is the reason that King Charles is very fond of that particular coach'.

The coach was first used at the state opening of Parliament on June 14, 2014.

The Coronation Cross Will Include Fragments From The True Cross

The Cross of Wales will lead the way in the coronation procession into Westminster Abbey on May 6. Recently blessed by the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, at the Holy Trinity Church in Landudno, the cross will include fragments believed to be from the True Cross on which Jesus was sacrificed. Saint Helena was supposed to have discovered them in the fourth century. These shards were a personal gift from the Pope to the King. The inclusion into the coronation cross is an ecumenical gesture showing unity between the denominations.

The fragments have been made into a tiny cross encased into a rose crystal gemstone in the centre of the cross. Inscribed on the back are words from Saint David's last sermon in Welsh. Translated, they mean: 'Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the Little Things'.

The Cross of Wales, made from recycled silver bullion, was commissioned by the King when he was Prince of Wales to celebrate the centenary of the Church in Wales.

The Rushed Coronation of Henry III

AnonymousUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
During the bleak autumn of 1216, civil war and turmoil beset the British Isles. Prince Louis of France had been invited to take the throne during the First Baron's War against King John, and he believed that he had a strong claim because his wife Blanche of Castile was Henry II's granddaughter. When King John died on October 19, the Prince's forces were in control of London. Barons were rebelling in the north, and Llywelyn the Great was gaining more influence in Wales.

Lying on his death-bed, the King asked his trusty friend, William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, to take charge of his little son, and keep him under his protection. Did the country really want a nine-year old King, and a Regency? After the death of the King, some of his former enemies 'returned to the flock', and supported a new reign. A Council was formed under William Marshall which decided to crown the new King, but a hasty coronation was needed before the country fell into further disarray. The state of affairs was so insecure that the Papal Legate had to excommunicate Prince Louis to prevent him being crowned! As Louis was in control of London thus cutting out Westminster Abbey, Gloucester Cathedral (then a Benedictine abbey) was chosen for the coronation.

There is a story that the young boy was actually carried to his coronation, a rushed affair, without the usual pomp and ceremony.  The young King swore the traditional oaths to 'protect the Church, deliver justice to his people, and drive out evil laws and customs wherever they were found in his realm,'1. and gave homage to the Pope. Supervised by Guala Bicchieri, the Papal Legate, Henry was annointed by Peter des Roches, the Bishop of Westminster, who crowned him with a circlet belonging to his mother. According to legend, King John had lost the royal crown in The Wash, a large bay off the east coast of England. His heavy coronation robes were also borrowed, and had to be cut to fit him.

Henry's Second Coronation

Henry saw to it that no expense was spared for his second coronation on May 17, 1220 in Westminster Abbey. This coronation cost the then huge amount of 760 pounds, and Henry's splendid regalia included a 'golden crown set with diverse stones', golden spurs, a silver-gilt rod, a golden sceptre and five swords.

The Re-Enactment of the Coronation of Henry III

1. Lewis, M. (2016). Henry III: The Son of Magna Carta. United Kingdom: Amberley Publishing.

King Charles Makes His First Christmas Speech as Monarch