CROWNING A KING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3184, 1 April 1911, Page 4

CROWNING A KING.

SOME CURIOUS CLAIMS.

“LORD MARCHER OF THE BARONY OF KEMES.”

The claims of those who desire to render services at the Coronation of King iinon'e V. were considered the other day bv a solemn court, held in the offices of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. . . , , - The visitor who left the motor < omn.buses and the taxicabs of Whitehall, ivith all the clamour of the prosy modern days, found, in passing the swingdoors that led to the court, that he had stepped across the abyss of the years. The very atmosphere was of the middle aS f ven the noble lords who composed the" court looked mediaeval in their costumes of blue pr scarlet smothered with gold braiding. Lord Loreburn the Lord: G’hameellor, sat at- the head of a long table, his large wig framing a judicial and spectacled face: on Ins right sat the Earl Marshal the I)u*e of Norfolk, in his scarlet and gold dress, the' ribbon of the garter across his breast, with many medals glittering below his bushy black beard. . Opposite, spick and span, with sinning hair and perfectly groomed moustache, sat the Lord Chamberlain, Lari Spencer,rand by him Lord Shaw, who faced the keen handsome Lord Aiverstone Lord Chief Justice of England. Lord ’ Ashbourne and Sir Herbert Coz-ens-Hardy, Master of the Rolls, completed the Court. . There were twenty-three claims m all, and most of them wore allowed with on t> much discussion. The precedent established nt the Coronation of K-ing .d----ward was followed. Whenever a claim was allowed Lord Loreburn said : “The Court makes the same order as before.' The Earl of Errol claimed to walk as Lord High Constable of Scotland, and to have a silver baton or stuffy of twelve ounces weight, tipped with gold at each end, with his Majesty’s Royal Arms on one end and the Petitioner s on the ether 'end. . There was little argument over tins claim. “On the last occasion the baton was not forthcoming.” Air J. H. Lincsav said for the petitioner "Tnere seems no doubt that his loruship is entitled to it.” “On the last occasion, replied the Lord Chancellor, 'the -court judged that he was entitled to attend and bear the baton, but did not say who was to provide it. Your point ‘is now that you want an order that some one should provide the baton.” “I believe,” Air Lindsay explained, “it has been the practice to make an allowance from the Lord Chamberlain s office of the warrant, as before.” The claim was allowed as before, but the question of who will provide the silver baton reniains unsettled. Sir Alarteine Lloyd’s claim “to have a place in the procession of their Alaiesiies after the lords and preceding the baronets, and to carry ilm King’s silver ham as Lord Alarcher of the Barony of Kernes” was disallowed. ‘The ouestion is,” said Lord Loreburn. “whether this gentleman is entitled to bear a silver harp. Have you any evidence that his predecessors ever exercised the right he claims?” Air "Williams replied that be 'had no evidence, and the court ruled that the claim had not been established.

The claims for the right to carry the Great Spurs were disputed for three hours before a settlement was arrived at.

The claimants were Lord Grey de Ruthyn, the Earl of Loudoun, and Lord Hastings, who claimed to carry the second sword as well. None of them succeeded in establishing their rights at the last Coronation.

The arguments were of a very complicated kind, in which history and legal points were interwoven, but fresh evidence was brought forward by counsel.

The court was cleared while the decision was being considered, and when it re-assembled the claims of Lord Grey de Ruthyn and the Earl of Loudon were allowed. 'lt will be referred to the pleasure of his Majesty how such service shall be performed,” said the Lord Chancellor.

Lord Hastings' claim was not allowed .