Piracy

50. Crowning Him

Psalm 122, 1–3, 6, 7.
I was glad when they said unto me:
We will go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand in thy gates:
O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city:
that is at unity in itself.
O pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls:
and plenteousness within thy palaces.  

As Queen Anne entered the throne room, this psalm was read. She entered and walked slowly down the aisle, bypassing her throne with a nod of reverence toward it. Then she took a lesser seat, below the steps that held then new king's throne.

Once she was seated, Harry walked up the steps to the throne and took his seat. From the monastery, the monk of highest rank, Brother Maximus, presided over the ceremony, since there was no archbishop on the island of Elinshire or nearby. His words sent a chill down my spine. 

"Sirs, I here present unto you
King Harry
your undoubted King:
Wherefore all you who are come this day
to do your homage and service,
Are you willing to do the same?"

All of Harry's faithful subjects, whose love for their new king was evident, cried out,

"GOD SAVE KING HARRY!"

Next, I walked up the aisle, up the steps, and took a seat at Harry's side. I was trembling with joy and some anxiety about whether these people would accept me as their queen. 

Brother Maximus repeated the words, now for me:

"Sirs, I here present unto you
Queen Wren
your undoubted Queen:
Wherefore all you who are come this day
to do your homage and service,
Are you willing to do the same?"

Everyone gathered shouted triumphantly,

"GOD SAVE QUEEN WREN!"

Harry and I stole a glance at each other, overwhelmed by their outpouring of love. 

Brother Maximus continued, 

"Sir, is your Majesty willing to take the Oath?"

And Harry answered, "I am willing." 

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the People of Elinshire?"

Harry answered: "I solemnly promise so to do."

" Will you, to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?

Harry responded, solemnly, "I will."

After this, there was a communion service. I had never been to one, so I found it enchanting. I had never even been to a church, aside from the monastery where Harry and I had been married a few days prior.

Near the end of the ceremony, Brother Maximus continued,

"Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart."

Brother Maximus retrieved an intricately carved bottle and poured oil in his hands. Then he laid his hand upon Harry's head and consecrated him. 

"Strengthen him, O Lord, with the Holy Ghost the Comforter;
Confirm and establish him with thy free and princely Spirit,
the Spirit of wisdom and government,
the Spirit of counsel and ghostly strength,
the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness,
and fill him, O Lord, with the Spirit of thy holy fear,
now and for ever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

After which, Brother Maximus anointed Harry in the form of a cross on his palms, saying, "Be thy Hands anointed with holy Oil."

Upon his breast saying, "Be thy Breast anointed with holy Oil."