KING REVIVES ANCIENT CEREMONY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 244, 16 July 1928, Page 8

KING REVIVES ANCIENT CEREMONY

POMP AND PAGEANTRY Dominion Special Service. London, May 17. Visitors to Westminster Abbey .shortly after noon one day this week saw the King and his Knights Grand Cross march in gorgeous procession back to the Chapter House where they had robed an hour find a half before. His Majesty, in the dim, grey Henry VIPs Chapel, had installed the new Knights of the Order of ae Bath, including four Admirals of the Fleet and Field-Marshall Lord Allenby. Over 2000 watched the first pa.. of -he ra.re spectacle in a setting of gold and blue and scarlet that goes back to Norman times. No richer or more Royal event could be witnessed, and there was all that pomp and pageantry that London loves —with accompanying peals of the famous bells of the Abbey ijiid the music of military bands. People of all degrees tilled the Abbey, but when the knights trooped into the Henry VII Chapel for tbe private part of the ceremony the Quee) was the only other person privilege), to be present.

It is fifteen years since the King intimated his desire to restore tbe ceremony of the installation of the Knights of the Order of the Bath. After the wonderful oath of chivalry had been administered to the m-w knights the King made his offering of gold and silver at the altar, an office in which he was followed by his fellow knights. The ancient ceremony was then over. Those who were privileged to witness it could only have feelings of delight that His Majesty hacjl revived it,