QUAINT CEREMONIES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 16, 4 September 1911, Page 2

QUAINT CEREMONIES.

THE KING IN EDINBURGH

The recent, visit of the King to Edinburgh was marked by some quaint old-world survivals and ceremonies. Most prominent among the array of uniforms in the city was that of the Royal Company of Archers, the King’s bodyguard in Scotland. Tne Royal Archer wears a dark green uniform with hooded shoulders, a small goldhandled sword shaped like a cross, and Scottish bonnet capped with a red button. He carries a how in his hand, and a quiver with three arrows, which arc tipped with red, white, and blue, or yellow feathers, according to his clan. There were old archers and young archers in the bodyguard assembled for the King, straight archers and archers bent with age. The company is recruited from the oldest and noblest families in Scotland, and membership is coveted. Old men who aie never seen in society, will leave their homes to take their stand in the bodyguard at the summons of their Sovereign. The captain-Genoral of the Royal Company (the Duke of Bucclcuch), presented on bended knees to the King the Archers’ Reddendo (consisting of three silver arrows on a velvet cushion), and asked his Majesty to continue his royal recognition of the Company, which the King consented to do. The King’s visit to Edinburgh Castle was the occasion for a curious bit of old-time ceremony. As the royal carriage drew up in the middle of the esplanade, the Lyon King of Arms advanced, saluted his Majesty, and asked for his command that the castle should be opened. This being given, a fanfare was blown by the State trumpeters, whereupon a sentry and a sergeant of the castle guard appeared on the battlements near the castle door, with their rifles at the charge. “Halt!” shouted the sentry. “Who goes there?” “The Lyon King of Arms.” “Stand, Lyon King of Arms,” said the sentry; “advance one and give the parole.” Then the March Pursuivant marched between the lines of trumpeters to the castle gate and knocked three times with his baton. The wicket was opened by the captain of the guard, with his sword drawn. He received from the March Pursuivant the parole—the word “Thistle”—and the Lyon King came forward and said: “By command of King George, I summon the Castle of Edinburgh to open its gates to the King.” The guard turned out, the gates were thrown open, the captain of the castle advanced bearing the keys on a cushion, which the King returned at once, and the Royal Standard floated out on the tower. Then, and not till '.then, the King was permitted to enter the castle.