UPon the 23th. of April, being S. Georges day, about seven in the morn­ing, the King took water from the Privy Stairs at Whitehal, and landed at the Parliament Stairs, from whence he went up to the Princes Lodg­ings; where, after he had reposed himself, he was arrayd in Royal Robes of Crimson velvet furr'd with Ermine, by which time the Nobility, being come together, Robed themselves in the Lords House and Painted Chamber.

The Judges also with those of the long Robe, the Knights of the Bath (then in their Robes of Purple Sattin lined with white Taffity) and Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, met in the Court of Request, and being drawn down into Westminster Hall, where this great Solemnity (ordered by the Officers at Arms) began, The Nobility, in their proper Robes carrying their Coronets in their hands, proceeded according to their several dignities and degrees, be­fore His Majesty up to his Throne of State, which was rais'd at the West end of the Hall, placing themselves upon each side therof.

The King being set in a rich Chair under a Glorious Cloth of State, Sir Gilbert Talbot Knight, Master of the Jewel House, presented the Sword of State, as also the Sword called Curtana, and two other Swords, to the Lord high Constable, who took and delivered them to the Lord high Chamberlain, and he laid them upon the Table before the King, and in the like manner the Spurs.

Immediatly after, the Dean and Prebends of Westminster, by whom the Rega­lia had been brought in Procession from the Abby to Westminster Hall, being vested in rich Copes, came up from the lower end thereof in manner following.

First, The Serjeant of the Vestry in a Scarlet mantle.

Then the Children of the Kings Chappel in Scarlet mantles

Then the Quire of Westminster in Surplices.

Then the Gentlemen of the Kings Chapple in Scarlet mantles.

Next the Pursuivants, Heralds, and Provincial Kings at Arms.

Then the Dean carrying Saint Edwards Crown.

And after him five of the Prebends of that Church.

The first carrying the Scepter with the Cross.

The Second the Scepter with the Dove. The third the Orb with the Cross.

The fourth King Edwards Staff. The Fifth the Chalice and Patena.

Who passing thus through the Hall, and making their due Reverences in three places, and towards the upper end, the Quires and Officers at Arms fal­ling off on each side, the Dean and Prebends ascended the Steps, at the top wherof, Garter Principal King at Arms standing, conducted them to the [Page 4] Table placed before the Throne, where mak [...]ng their last Reverence, the Dean first presented the Crown, wich was by the Lord-high Constable, and Lord Great Chamberlain, set upon the Table, who likewise received from the Prebends the Regalia, which they carried, and said them also by the Crown.

Then the Lord Great Chamberlain presenting the Regalia severally to the King, His Majesty disposed of them to the Noble Men which carryed them in the proceeding, viz, Saint Edwards Staff to the Earl of Sandwich.

• The Spurs to the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery.
• The Scepter with the Cross to the Earl of Bedford.
• The pointed Sword (born on the left hand of Curtana) to the Earl of Derby.
• The pointed Sword (born on the Right hand thereof) to the Earl of Shrewsbury.
• The Sword called Curtana to the Earl of Oxford.
• The Sword of State to the Earl of Manchester.
• The Scepter with the Dove to the Duke of Albemarle.
• The Orb with the Cross to the Duke of Buckingham.
• Saint Edwards Crown to the Duke of Ormond.
• The Patena to the Bishop of Exeter. and lastly,
• The Chalice to the Bishop of London.

All things thus prepared about ten a Clock the proceeding began, from the Hall in the Palace Yard, through the Gate-house, along the great San­ctuary, to the West end of the Abby, upon blew Cloath, which was spread upon the ground from the Throne in Westminster-hall, to the great steps in the Church, by Sir George Carteret Knight his Majesties Vice Chamberlain, as Almoner that day by special appointment.

The proceeding passing through the Quire went up the Stairs toward the great Theater, and as they came to the top thereof were disposed by [Page 6] the Heralds into two Galleries, built on either side the upper end of the Quire. On the North side the Aldermen of London, the Judges, and others of the long Robe, as also the Quire of Westminster, with the Gentlemen and Children of the Kings Chappel; and on the South side the Knights of the Bath, and Gentlemen of the privy Chamber.

Near the Pulpit stood the Master of the Jewel-house, and the Lord Mayor of London.

The Nobility were seated on Forms round about the inside of the Theater: On the corner whereof, nearest to the Altar, stood the Provincial Kings, Heralds, and Pursuivants at Arms.

Within the rails, on either side of the entrance of the Theater from the Quire, stood the Serjeants at Arms, with their Mares, and over the door, at the West end of the Quire, stood the Drums and Trumpets.

The King, being entered the West door of the Church, was receiv'd with an Anthem: And here his Majesty kneel'd down, and after some short Ejaculations, he proceeded to the Theater, between the Quire and the Altar,, on which the Throne of Estate was placed; on the East side whereof was set a Chair, Footstool, and Cushion, covered with Cloth of Gold, whereon for a while he reposed himself. Immediately after, the Bishop of London (who was appointed to officiate, in part, for the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury) with the Lord High Constable, the Earl Marshal, the Lord great Chamberlain, the Lord High Chancellour, and Lord Cham­berlain of the Houshold, went to the South, the West, and North sides of the Theater, and acquainted the People, that he presented to them King Charles the Rightful inheritour of the Crown of this Realm; and asked them if they were willing to do their Homage, Service, and bounden Duty to him. As this was doing the King rose up, looking towards the people to whom the Bishop spake: Who by their shouts signified their Consent, the like question was put to the Nobility.

And while an Anthem was sung by the Gentlemen of the Kings Chap­pel, a Carpet was spread by the Officers of the removing Ward-robe, and over that was laid, by the Usher of the Black Rod, assisted by the Yeomen of the Ward-robe, a Silk Carpet and Cushion, and then the Bishop of London went and placed himself on the North side of the Altar.

Then the King descending from his Throne, proceeded towards the Al­tar, supported by the Bishops of Duresm, and Bath and Wells; the four Swords, and grand Officers, and the Noble Men, and Bishops that carried the Rega­lia, going before him. At the steps of the Altar he kneeled down, and offered a Cloath of Gold Pall, and an Ingot of Gold of a pound weight, and retired to his Chair of State, on the South side of the Altar, and the Bishop of London receiving the Regalia, and placing them on the Altar, the Bishops and Noble Men, that carried them, retired to their Seats, and the King kneeled at a fald-stool on the right side of his Chair of State, whill'st the Bishop of London said the Prayer, O God that dost visit those that are Humble, &c. which ended the Bishop of Worcester preached, on the 2. ver. of the 28. of Proverbs. On the Kings right hand stood the Bishop of Duresme, and be­yond him the Noble Men with the Swords naked and erect, the Duke of York sate on his left-hand, and by him stood the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and the Lord great Chamberlain. On a Form behind the Duke, sate the Lord High Chancellour, and Lord High Treasurer, and in a Gallery the [Page 7] Dutches of York, where were also placed the Ambassadours and Foreign Mi­nisters. The Bishop of Londen sate in the Arch-Bishops Chair, on the North-side of the Altar, and the rest of the Bishops on Forms behind him, and towards St. Edwards Chappel stood Garter principal King at Arms, the Officers of the Wardrobe in Scarlet Gowns, the Serjeant of the Vestrey and Vergers, with some of the Groomes and Pages of the Bed Chamber to do service as occasion required. Opposite to those on the South side stood the Dean and Prebends of Westminster Between the Kings Chair of State and the Pulpit, but more to the North side, was placed St. Edwards Chair, covered with Cloth of Gold.

Sermon ended the Bishop of London came neer, and asked the King if he wou'd take the Oath of his Progenitors, to confirm the Laws, to the People and Franchises to the Clergy, granted by St. Edward the Confes­sor, to maintain the Gospel established in the Kingdom, &c. The Bishop of Rochester also reading the Bishops Petition, praying, that they and the Chur­ches under their Government might be protected, &c. All which his Maje­sty promised to perform, and assisted by the Bishops of Duresm, and Bath and Wells with the Sword of State born before him, and the Lord great Cham­berlain attending, went to the Altar, and took an Oath to perform what he had promised, and in like manner returned to his Chair of State, where kneeling at the Fald-stool, while the Bishop of London and the Bishops of Peterborough, and Gloucester, performed divine service. toward the end wherof, the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury came out of St. Edwards Chappel concluding the service. Then the King arose and assisted by the Bishops of Duresm, and Bath and Wells, went to the Altar, His Royal Robes being ta­ken of by the Lord great Chamberlain, and carried into St. Edwards Chapple, mean while the Chair was removed from the entrance of the Theater, and set on the North side, betwixt the Altar and St. Edwards Chair, where the King sitting (the Dean of Westminster holding the Ampulla and pouring out the Oyl) he was anointed by the Arch-Bishop, his Grace saying the Prayers, and the Quire singing the Anthem, appointed for that Solemn occasion. The Dukes of Buckingham and Albermarle, with the Earls of Berks and Sandwich, holding a Cloath of Gold pall over the Kings head. The anointing being dried up, the Dean of Westminster closeth the loops of his Shirt and the Arch-Bishop receiving the Coise from the Lord great Chamberlain put it on the Kings head. The Dean of Westminster having put on the Surplice, The Tissue Hose and Sandals, and the close Pall, (being Cloath of Gold,) fetcht the spurs from the Altar, delivering them to the Lord great Cham­berlain, who having with them touched the Kings Heels, sent them back.

Then the Arch-Bishop receiving the Sword of State from the Lord Chamberlain of the Household layed it upon the Altar, and having said the Prayers delivered it to the King, which was girded on by the Lord great Chamberlain,

Then the Dean of Westminster put on the Armil made of Cloath of Tissue, and next the Mantle or open Pall, being made of Cloath of gold lined with red Taffaty.

In this time S. Edwards Chair was set in the middle of the Isle right against the Altar, wherein the King being set the Arch-Bishop brought S. Edwards Crown from the Altar, and put it on the Kings Head, whereupon all the People cried, God save the King, and the Bishop said, God Crown thee with a [Page 8] Crown of Glory, &c. and several Prayers proper to this Great Solemnity, and an Anthem being sung by the Quires; the Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, and Viscounts put on their Coronets, the Barons their Caps, and the Kings at Arms their Coronets. Then the Master of the Jewel House delivered the Ring to the Arch-Bishop, who put it on the fourth finger of the Kings right hand, and after the Prayers, the Linnen Gloves were delivered to the King by the Lord Great Chamberlain, then the King went to the Altar and offered his Sword, which being redeemed by the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold, was by him drawn, and so carried by him all the rest of the Solemnity.—Then the Arch-Bishop took the Scepter with the Cross from the Altar, and Mr. Henry Howard (Brother to Thomas Duke of Norfolke) by virtue of the tonure of his Manour of Wirksop, in the County of Norfolke, delivered to the King a rich Glove for his right hand, which the King having put on, received the Scepter from the Arch-Bishop, and during the Prayer, the said Mr. Howard performed the service of supporting the Kings right Arm,—Next the Arch-Bishop delivered to the King the Scepter with the Dove, who then kneeled, with both the Scepters in his hands, whilst the Arch-Bishop pronounced the blessing. Then the King arose and sate in St. Edwards Chair whilst the Arch-Bishop and Bishops kneeled, and were kissed by him, after which the King retur­ned to the Chair placed on the Theater behind his Throne, where he reposed himself while Prayers were said, and Te Deum sung, which ended the King ascen­ded his Throne, in the midst of the Theater, the Swords, great Officers, and Bishops standing on each side, while a Prayer was said. After which the Bishops and Nobility did their Homage. First the Arch Bishop kneeling before the King said, I William Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, shall be faithful and true, and faith and truth bear unto you, our Soveraign Lord, and your Heirs Kings of England, and shall do, and truly acknowledge the Service of the Land which I claim to hold of you in right of the Church, So help me God, after which He and all the Bishops kissed the Kings left check.

Then came up the Duke of York, with Garter principal King at Armes before him, and his Train born by two Gentlemen, when being come to the Throne he kneeled down, put off his Coronet, and did Homage in these words, I James Duke of York become your Liege man, of life and Limb, and of Earthly Worship: and Faith and Truth I shall bear unto you, to live and dye against all manner of Folke, So help me God; At which the Drums beat, the Trumpets sounded, and the People shouted. The like did the Dukes of Buckingham and Albemarle for themselves, and the rest of the Dukes.

Then the Marquisses of Worcester and Dorchester, next the Earl of Oxford a­tended by the rest of the Earls to signifie their Consents. Then Vicount Here­ford for the Vicounts, and then the Drums beat, Trumpets sounded, and the People shouted. Lastly the Baron Audly did the like Homage, being attended by the rest of the Barons, which was followed with beating of Drums, sound­ing of Trumpets and the Peoples shouts, after which the Duke of York and all the Nobility singly ascended the Throne, and touched the Kings Crown, pro­mising thereby to be always ready with all their power to support it. During which Solemn Ceremony the Lord High Chancellour went to the South, West, and North sides of the Stage, and proclaimed to the People the Kings General pardon, being attended by Mr. Garter to the South-side, and by a Gentleman Usher, and two Heralds to the other two sides, the Lord Cornwallis Treasurer of the Household, at the same time throwing amongst the people Medals of Gold and Silver.

[Page 9]The King being thus enthroned, the Gentlemen of the Chappel sung the Anthem, Behold O Lord our Defender, and look upon the face of thine anointed, &c. at the end whereof the Drums and Trumpets beat and founded. After which the Bishop of London begun the communion service, which being ended, the King descended from his Throne with his Crown on his Head and the Scepters in his hands, (the rest of the Regalia being carried before him,) and thence proceeded into St. Edwards Chapple, where he took off St. Edwards Crown, and delivered it to the Bishop of London, who placed it on St. Edwards Altar, the rest of the Regalia being given to the Dean of Westminster, and by him laid there also. Then he retired into a Traverse, where he was disrobed of the Robes he was Crowned in (which were delivered to the Dean of Westminster to be laid up with the rest of the Regalia) and being invested with his Royal Robes of Purple Velvet, he came near to St. Edwards Altar, where the Bishop of London standing ready with the Imperial Crown in his hands, set that upon his Head. After which he took the two Scepters, and proceeded to Westminster-Hall, the same way that he came, & attended after the same manner, saving that the Noble-men and Bishops, that brought the Regalia to the Abby, went not now immediately before him as they did then, but went according to their degrees: All the Noble-men having their Coronets and Caps on their heads and the Kings at Arms their Coronets.

The proceeding being entered the Hall; the Nobility and others, who had places assined them, went and placed themselves, but the King, attended with the Great Officers, withdrew into the Inner Court of Wards, and in the mean time all the Tables in the body of the Hall were served.

On the Right hand were set two Tables one beneath the other, at the upper end of the first sate the Bishops, and below them the Judges, with the rest of the Long Robe.

At the second Table sate the Masters of the Chancery and the six Clerks, at which likewise the Barons of the Cinque Ports were then necessitated to sit (by reason of a Disturbance which some of the Kings Footmen made in offering to take the Canopy from them) although the upper end of the first Table was appointed for them.

On the other side of the Hall was placed likewise a long Table, which reached down near to the Common Pleas Court wherat the Nobility dined, and behind this close to the wall sate the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Recorder and twelve chief Citizens of London.

Lastly within the Court of Common Pleas was a Table set for the Officers at Arms, each Table being furnished with three Courses answerable to that of the Kings, besides the Banquet.

At the upper end of the Hall (where upon an Ascent of steps a Theater was raised for his Majesties Royal Seat at this great Solemnity) a large Table being placed, the Serjeant of the Ewry two Serjeants at Arms with their Maces going before him, brought up the Covering, which was spread by the Gentelmen Ushers and Serjeants of the Ewry.

This being done the Officers of the Pantry, with two Serjeants at Arms also before them, brought up the Salt of State and Caddinet.

A little before the King return'd to dinner two Esquires of the Body took their Seats upon two little foot-stools on either side of the foot of the Kings Chair (placed opposite to the middle of the Table) and there [Page 10] sate until the King came in to Dinner, when Rising and performing their Duty in placing the Kings Robes for his better conveniency of sitting, they sate down again at the Kings feet, until the King gave them leave to rise.

On the right side of the Throne was erected a Gallery for the Officers at Arms, and opposite to that on the other side, another for the Musick, and below on the old Scaffold next the Court of Common-pleas, stood the Kings Trumpets.

Dinner being set on the Table the King came forth from the Inner Court of Wards, in his Royal Robes with the Crown on his Head, and Scepter in his hand, having the three Swords born naked before him, and having wash'd, sate downe to din [...] ▪ the Bishop of London saying Grace.

On the Kings Right hand stood the Noble men that carried the three Swords holding them naked and erected all the Dinner while; at his left hand stood the Lord high Chamberlain, to whom the King had given the Scepter to hold, and at the Tables end on the Kings left hand sate the Duke of York in his Robes and Coronet.

Soon after Dinner was begun, the Lord Allington, by virtue of his Te­nure of the Manour of Wymundley in the County of Hertford, served the King of his first Cup, (which was of Silver Gilt) and after the King had drank he had the Cup for his fee.

Next Thomas Leigh Esquire was brought up to the Table with a Mess of Pottage called Dilegrout, by reason of his Tenure of the Maner of Addington in the County of Surrey.

Afterwards (a little before the second Course was ready) Sir Edward Dy­mock Knight (being the Kings Champion, as being seized of the Man [...]r of Scrivelsby in the County of Lincoln) enter'd the Hall, on a goodly White [Page 11] Courser, armed at all points, and there having made a stand for sometime, advanced in manner following.

Being come some few Steps he made a stand, whereupon the said Herald proclaimed his Challenge in the following words.

If any Person of what Degree soever, high or low, shall deny, or gainsay our Soveraign Lord KING CHARLES the Second, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Son and next Heir to our Soveraign Lord CHARLES the First, the last King deceased, to be Right Heir to the Impe­rial Crown of this Realm of England, or that he ought not to enjoy the same, here is his Champion, who saith that he lieth, and is a False Traytor, being ready in Person to Combat with him, and in this Quarrel wild adventure his Life against him on what day soever he shall be appointed.

Whereupon the Champion threw down his Gantlet, which lying some small time, and no body taking it up, it was delivered to him again by the same Herald, then he advanced further forward till he came to the Middle of the Hall. And lastly to the foot of the Steps going up to the Throne of State.

This being done, the Earl of Pembrook and Montgomery (assisted as before) presented, on the Knee; to the King, a Gilt Cup (with a Cover) full of Wine, who drank to the Champion, and by the said Earl sent him the Cup, which having receiv'd he after three Reverences drank it all off, went a lit­tle backward, and so departed out of the Hall; taking the said Cup for his Fee.

After which Garter principal King at Arms, with the two provincial Kings, having their Coronets on, with the Heralds and Pursuivants at Arms, came down from the Gallery, and went to the lower end of the Tables, where they first made their Obeysance to his Majesty, then advancing up to the midst of the Hall they did the like, and afterward at the foot of the steps to his Majesties Throne, where Garter being ascended, proclaimed his Majesties Stile in Latine, French and English, according to antient sage, cry­ing Largess thrice, which done they all retired into the midst of the Hall, and there after crying Largess again thrice, he proclaimed the Kings Stile as be­fore. And lastly, they went to the end of the Noble mens Table, and did the same again, and from thence into the Common-Pleas Court to Dinner.

Immedidiately after this the second Course was brought up by the Gentlemen Pensioners, with the former Solemnity, the last dish being carried up by Erasmus Smith Esquire, who then presented the King with three Maple Cups on the behalf of Robert Barnham Esquire, in respect of his Tenure of the Manor of Nether Bil­sington, in the County of Kent.

Lastly, the Lord Mayor of London then presented the King with Wine in a Golden Cup, having a Cover, of which the King having drank, the said Lord Mayor receiv'd it for his Fee.

By this time the day being far spent, the King (having water brought him [Page 12] by the Earl of Pembrook and his Assistants) washed and rose from Dinner be­fore the third Course was brought in; and retiring into the Inner Court of Wards, he there disrobed himself, and from thence went privately to his Barge which waited for him at the Parliament Stairs, and so to the Privy Stairs at VVhitehall, where he landed.