Pageantry At Dover

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31101, 2 July 1966, Page 12

Pageantry At Dover

(Specially written Jot "The Presi" by PITT CLARK)

"VISITORS to Britain in July will have the opportunity of ’ seeing a rare piece of pageantry, the richly colourful procession accompanying a new Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports to his installation.

At Dover, the famous “Gateway to England,” on July 20, Sir Robert Menzies, the former Australian Prime Minister, will assume the ancient office in the grounds of St. Martin’s Priory, now Dover College, at a meeting of the quaintly named, cen-turies-old Court of Shepway. Wearing the uniform of an admiral, he will swear to “uphold the liberties and usages” of the ports, the Cinque Ports flag—gold, red and blue, with heraldic devices of lions, crowns, ships and anchors—will be broken in the grounds and a 19-gun salute will boom out from Dover Castle. History Of Ports What will it all mean? What are the Cinque Ports? To answer these questions we must turn back the pages of British history to King Edward the Confessor.

ports”—with the addition of Winchelsea and Rye—the “ancient towns”—and 30 other places in Kent and Sussex as “limbs” or “members” formed a confederation to supply ships and men to the King for the protection of the Channel between England and Europe. A Lord Warden (Sir Robert's first predecessor), who became at the same time Constable of Dooer Castle and Admiral of the Cinque Ports, was appointed over them. Tax Exemption Their services to the Crown were recognised by the granting of many privileges. They went scot free of some taxes. They could impose some themselves. They had rights of self-government, their own courts. The criminal courts could even pass sentence of death on felons. They were granted a Charter in 1278. The passage of the centuries has seen the absorption of most of the privileges into national laws, the abolition of others. But some of their rights still remain—the most prized and jealously guarded being

that of appointing “barons” tion ceremonies. Such is the background to to take part in British coronathese ceremonies which will take place at Dover. Fanfarer Only privileged guests will see the actual installation in a flag-draped, red-carpeted marquee in the Priory’s grounds, at which Sir Robert, invited to take office, will swear his oath and all the members of the court of Shepway will bow their heads in acknowledgement of his authority. But thousands will be able to see the start of the pageantry when, heralded by fanfares from military trumpeters on the ramparts, he arrives at the Constable’s Gate and enters the Norman keep to greet members of the Court. Slowly the procession will go to the Castle’s Church of St. Mary where the Archbishop of Canterbury will give the address at what is known as the “Hallowing Service.” Now comes the astonishing procession to the Priory. One hundred cars will carry riel lyrobed mayors and attendant mace-bearers from the Cinque Ports towns. There will be bishops and other church dignitaries, bewigged lawyers, high-ranking naval and military officers. Bands Playing The Sergeant of Admiralty carries his big silver oar. The Coronation Barons ride together in robes edged with black and gold, knee breeches, white silk stockings, silver buckled shoes and plumed hats. Lord Warden-to-be Menzies, with “noblemen and gentle-

men attending him” and an escort of uniformed motorcyclists, rides towards the end of the procession. So, through the crowded streets of the town, with bands playing, to the Priory. After the installation ceremony, the boom of his 19-gun salute having died away among the white cliffs of Dover, the new Lord Warden will adjourn with the members of the Court and the guests to Dover’s ancient town hall, a few hundred yards away from the Priory. Predecessors History will have been made that day, to add to the already centuries-old story of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports; for Sir Robert will be the first of the long line of distinguished men to hold the office who has been chosen from outside the coasts which the seamen of Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover, Sandwich and their shipmates helped to defend. It will be a proud day for him for that reason, for the compliment paid to him and his country by his selection as the Lord Warden. And for the fact that he follows in office one of the greatest men of British history, Sir Winston Churchill. Residence Since 1708, Walmer Castle, two miles from Deal, has been the official residence of the Lords Warden. Sir Winston never took up residence there, but now the Ministry of Public Building and Works—the 16th century castle is in their care—are busy preparing a small apartment for Sir Robert’s use. It will include, living accommodation with' three bedrooms in the west bastion of the castle. The picture shows Walmer Castle, built in 1540 to strengthen Britain’s coastal defences. It has four semi-circular bastions around a circular keep.