The Form and Order of the Coronation of Charles II, Narrative
CORONATION OF CHARLES THE SECOND, King of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, Done at SCOONE, The firſt day of Ianuarie, 1651.
FIrſt, the Kings Majeſtie, in a Princes Robe, was conducted from his Bed-chamber, by the Conſtable on his right hand, and the Mariſhall on his left hand, to the Chamber of Preſence; and there, was placed in a Chaire, under a cloath of State, by the Lord of Angus, Chamberlaine appointed by the King, for that day, and there, after a little repoſe, the Noble-men, with the Commiſſioners of Barons, and Burroughes, entered the Hall, and preſented themſelves before his Majeſtie.
There-after, the Lord Chancellour ſpoke to the King, to this purpoſe; Sir, Your good Subjects deſyre You may bee crowned, as the righteous, and lawfull Heire of the Crowne of this Kingdome; that You would maintain Religion, as it is preſently profeſſed, and eſtabliſhed, conforme to the Nationall Covenant, League & Covenant, and according to Your Declaration at Dumfermling, in Auguſt laſt; Alſo that You would bee Graciouſlie pleaſed to receave them vnderunder Your Highneſſe Protection, to governe them by the lawes of the Kingdome, and to defend them in their Rights & Liberties, by Your Royall Power, offering themſelves in moſt humble manner to Your Majeſtie, with their Vowes to beſtow Land, Lyfe, and what elſe is in their power, for the maintenance of Religion, for the ſafetie of Your Majeſties Sacred Perſon, and maintenance of Your Crowne, which they intreate Your Majeſtie to accept, and pray ALMIGHTIE GOD, that for many years You may happilie enjoy the ſame.
The King made this anſwer; I doe eſteeme the affections of my good People, more then the Crownes of manie Kingdomes, and ſhall bee readies, by, GODS Aſſiſtance, to beſtow my Lyfe in their Defence; Wiſhing to live no longer, then I may ſee Religion, and this Kingdome flowriſh, in all happineſſe.
There-after, the Commiſſioners of Burroughes, and of Barones, and the Noble-men accompanied his Majeſtie to the Kirk of Scoone, in order & rank according to their qualitie, two and two.
The Spurres being carried by the Earle of Eglinton.
Next, The Sword by the Earle of Rothes.
Then the Scepter by the Earle of Craufurd and Lindeſay.
And the Crown by the Marques of Argyle, immediately before the King.
Then came the King, with the great Conſtable on his right hād, and the great Mariſhall on his left hand, his train being carried by the Lord Ereskine, The Lord Montgomery, The Lord Newbottle, and the Lord Machlene, four Earles eldeſt ſonnes, under a Canopie of Crimſon Velvet, ſupported by ſix Earls ſonnes; to wit, The Lord Drummond, The Lord Carnegie, The Lord Ramſay, The Lord Iohnſton, The Lord Brechin, The Lord Yeſter, and the ſix carriers ſupported by ſix Noble-mens ſonnes.
Thus the Kings Majeſtie entereth the Kirk.
The Kirk being fitted, and prepared with a Table, Whereupon the Honours were layed, and a Chaire ſet in a fitting place for his Majeſties hearing of Sermon, over againſt the Miniſter, & another Chaire on the other ſyde where hee ſat when hee receaved the Crown, before which there was a Bench decently covered, as alſo Seats about for Noble-men, Barons, and Burgeſſes.
And there being alſo a Stage in a fit place erected of 24 foot ſquare, about four foot high, from the ground, covered with Carpets, with two ſtairs, one from the Weſt, and another to the Eaſt; upon which great Stage there was another little Stage erected, ſome two foot high, aſcending by two ſteps; on which the Throne, or Chaire of State was ſet.
The Kirk thus fittingly prepared, The Kings Majeſty entereth the ſame, accompanied as aforeſayd, and firſt ſetteth himſelfe in his Chaire, for hearing of Sermon.
All being quyetlie compoſed unto attention, Maſter ROBERT DOWGLAS Moderator of the Commiſſion of the Generall Aſſemblie, after incalling upon GOD by Prayer, preached the following SERMON.