English, and against whose life they could take | fought on the 26th of August, 1346, leading the no just exception, they readily consented, and having sworn to yield obedience, he nominated this new-born son, whom, in his charter the 24th of March 1305, and 33d year of his reign, he stiled prince of Wales, being the first of the sons and heirs apparent of the kings of England that bore that title. Edward, eldest son of king Edward III., was born the 15th of June, 1330, and in the parliament held at Westminster, the 11th of his reign, was created duke of Cornwall, by a charter bearing date the 17th of March, 1338, and invested by the sword only; this being the first precedent for the creation of the title of a duke with us in England; and from this prince Edward, the dukedom of Cornwall hath ever since slept in the crown; for the eldest son and heir apparent of the king of England is duke of Cornwall by birth. Duke Edward was likewise created prince of Wales by his father, in the parliament held at Pontefract, anno 1342, the 16th of his reign, by letters patent, dated the 18th of March the same year; as also created earl of Chester and Flint; and was invested in the principality of Wales, with these ensigns of honour, viz., a chaplet of gold, made in the manner of a garland, a gold ring, and a verge, rod, or scéptre of silver; and, for the better support of his estate as prince of Wales, granted him several lands, particularly enumerated in a writ, to be delivered to this prince, or his attorney, with this dignity. In the sixteenth year of his age, this prince (commonly distinguished by the name of the black prince, from the black armour he used to wear) accompanied the king, his father, into France, where, at his landing, he received the honour of knighthood from that martial king's hands; and at the battle of Cressy, which was van-guard, he there slew John of Luxemburgh, king of Bohemia, and then deplumed his casque of those ostrich-feathers, which, in memory of this victory, became his cognisance; sometimes using one feather, sometimes three, as appeareth by his seals, and on his tomb, with scrolls containing this motto, Ich Dien, which, in the German or old Saxon language, signifies I serve; alluding to the words of the Apostle, "that the heir, whilst he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant;" and these feathers and motto have been ever since borne by our princes of Wales, with the addition by the more modern kings of an open coronet (in which the three feathers are stuck), and, by the vulgar, are called the prince's arms; though the ancient arms of the princes of Wales, whilst they were sovereigns, were, quarterly, gules and or, four lions passant, counterchanged; but now the arms of that prince differ from those of the king, only by the addition of a label of three points, luna in chief, and the crest and dexter supporters are crowned with a prince's coronet, and gorged with a label of three points as in the arms; and also the omission of Charlemain's crown borne in surtout, being carried uncharged by the late prince, to express his being heir apparent also to the office of archtreasurer of the Roman empire. Edward V. was born November 4, 1470, the tenth year of his father's reign, and was created prince of Wales July 26, 1471. Arthur Tudor, eldest son of king Henry VII., was born September 20, 1486, the second year of his father's reign, and was created prince of Wales and earl of Chester, October 1, 1589, at three years of age. Edward VI. was born October 12, 1427, the twenty-ninth year of his father, Henry VIII., and in January, 1556, when all things were prepared for creating him prince of Wales, his | ment of their liberties, were to pay, at the father died, and he succeeded him at nine years of age. Charles II. was born May 29th, 1630, the sixth year of his father's reign, and in May, 1638, being then eight years of age, he was stiled by order, not creation, prince of Wales. Edward of Lancaster, the only child of king Henry VI. was born at Westminster upon the 13th day of October, the thirty-first year of his father's reign, anno 1453, was created prince of Wales and earl of Chester, by patent bearing date, at the king's palace at Westminster, the 15th day of March, anno 1454, the 32d of Henry VI., being then five months old. The following is a list of his Royal Highness's hereditary titles; viz., prince of Great Britain, electoral prince of Brunswick-Lunenburg, duke of Cornwall and Rothsay, earl of Carrick, baron of Renfrew, lord of the Isles, and great Steward of Scotland. change of every owner of the earldom, three thousand marks, and the county of Flint, parcel of this palatinate, two thousand marks. The fee-farm rents are vested in the princes of Wales, as earls of Chester: these they hold with the castle and profits of the temporalities of the bishopric; and the freemen swear to be true to the king and earl. Since the union with Scotland (by king James I. succeeding Elizabeth on the 24th of March 1602-3, in this kingdom) the prince of Wales is also duke of Rothsay, and seneschal or steward of Scotland, from the first hour of his nativity (being eldest son to the king thereof), a title given in the year 1396 to David Stuart, son to king Robert III. This is a very important office, having the management of the revenues of the crown and exchequer, and commander of the sovereign's armies, &c. And so long as Normandy remained in the hands of the Eng It may not be improper in this place to shewlish, the eldest son of the king of England was how the earldom of Chester came to be united always stiled duke of Normandy. He still has with the principality of Wales; John, surnamed the title of duke of Aquitaine, and can retain Le Scot, the eighth earl of Chester, marrying and qualify as many chaplains as he shall Helen, daughter to Lewellin prince of Wales, please. and dying in 1244, without issue, king Henry III. the same year, being the 27th of his reign, in regard that many regal prerogatives belonged to this earldom (giving the aunts and next co-heirs of the said John Le Scot other lands in lieu thereof) seized the same into his own hands, and by a patent annexed it to the crown, and afterwards stiled his son prince Edward, earl of Chester; and the said prince Edward, who, after his father's death, was king of England, by the name of Edward I., making the county of Flint appendant to that of Chester, they have ever since been united to the Principality of Wales. The revenues belonging to the prince, since much of the lands and demesnes in Cornwall have been alienated, are especially out of the tin mines in that duchy, which, with all other profits thereof, amount to 14,000l. per annum, The revenue of the late Frederick prince of Wales, as established by act of parliament, amounted to 100,000l. per annum, clear of all deductions whatever. He is stiled, the most high, puissant, and most illustrious prince: but more ordinarily his royal highness: He is by his birth a counsellor of state, as are also all the king's sons. Till the prince came to be fourteen years old, all things belonging to The inhabitants of Cheshire, for the enjoy- the principality of Wales were wont to be dis posed of by commissioners, consisting of some principal persons of the clergy and nobility. The following account of the first exhibition of the prince cannot be perused without some degree of merriment being excited at the singular restrictions which were adopted on the occasion. For the gratification of the public, it was announced before the prince was twelve days old, that his royal highness was to be seen at St. James's, from one until three o'clock, on drawing-room days. The crowd of ladies whom this offer tempted to flock to court to see the royal infant, and taste her majesty's caudle and cake, soon became immense; the daily expense for cake alone was estimated at forty pounds, and the consumption of wine was more than could have been conceived. All persons of fashion were admitted to see the prince under the following restrictions, viz., that in passing through the apartment, they stepped with the greatest caution, and did not offer to touch his royal highness; though this restriction was not supposed to extend to the lower part of his clothes. For the greater security in this respect, a part of the apartment was latticed off in the Chinese manner, to prevent curious persons from approaching too close. of our most ardent wishes, and affords us at present a most desirable occasion of unfeigned congratulations. The interests of prince and people are so intimately increase of the sovereign's public or private felicity must and inseparably connected with each other, that every necessarily bring along with it an accession of happiness and prosperity to the subject. Permit us then, dread Sir, to indulge ourselves in the pleasing prospect of a numerous royal progeny; and that the many and great blessings which we owe, next under God, to your majesty's most auspicious government, will, by the protection of Providence over a long race of illustrious princes to come, be transmitted down secure to the remotest period of time. Under a lively and grateful sense of such inestimable benefits, we shall never cease to offer up our hearty thanks, and earnest prayers to Heaven, that the royal infant may long live and enjoy the inexpressible advantages of parental precepts and example; and, in a due course of years, may succeed to the throne of his ancestors; exhibiting from thence to posterity a shining pattern of all those amiable virtues which, in your majesty's royal person, add the highest lustre and dignity to the British diadem. Given at our house of convocation this 23d day of To which address his majesty was pleased to return the following most gracious answer: The duty and zeal expressed to me and my family, in this very affectionate address, give me entire satisfaction; and I receive, with sincere pleasure, your warm congratuAddresses were now delivered to his majesty lations upon an event, in which my private happiness, the from all parts of the kingdom, we shall, how-permament welfare of my people, and the prosperity of ever, merely give those presented by the two universities. The Address of the University of Oxford. We your majesty's most faithful and loyal subjects, the chancellor, masters, and scholars of your university of Oxford, humbly beg leave to felicitate your majesty on the safe delivery of the queen, and the happy birth of a prince, heir apparent to the imperial crown of these realms; an event which hath hitherto been the object my kingdoms, are essentially and equally interested. The university of Oxford may be assured of the continuance of my protection and favour. The Address of the Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars, of the University of Cambridge. Most gracious Sovereign, We your majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the chancellor, masters, and scholars, of the university of Cambridge, humbly beg leave to present to your majesty our sincerest congratulations on the safe delivery of the queen, and birth of his royal highness the prince, and on the prosperous state of her majesty's health since this happy event. The preservation and security of their civil liberties, and the full possession of that most valuable of all blessings, the Protestant religion, which your people have enjoyed since the accession of your majesty's family to the throne of these kingdoms, have so endeared it to them, that they could not but be anxious for the continuance of the succession in your royal descendants; and, therefore this important event must fill their hearts with the greatest and most unfeigned joy. We in particular, who have been so signally protected by your majesty's predecessors of your illustrious house, and have received such repeated marks of their favour and munificence, as we are bound by all the ties of duty and gratitude earnestly to pray for the continuance of your royal line, so we feel a peculiar satisfaction in this prospect of it, which the Divine Providence hath vouchsafed to these nations. We have the most firm and just confidence, that princes, educated under the inspection and example of your majesty, and your royal consort, will inherit, together with your crown, all the virtues necessary to its support and lustre, and to the making a people happy On our part, we will endeavour so to form the youth committed to our care, that they may become faithful and loyal subjects, useful members of society, examples and patrons of learning and good morals. Thus we trust, that this nation shall continue, as it is under your majesty's auspicious government, flourishing and glorious; that when it shall please God to call you late to himself, your successors shall reign, like you, in the hearts and affections of a free and happy people: and that thus answering the expectations of your majesty and the public, and the noble design of our institution, we shall continue to enjoy the countenance and favour of your majesty, and your royal posterity. To which address his majesty was pleased to return the following most gracious answer: I thank you for this dutiful and loyal address. Your affectionate congratulations upon an event, which adds to my private happiness, as well as to the permaDent, welfare of my people, and the prosperity of my king The university of Cambridge may always depend upon the continuance of my protection and favour. They were all received very graciously; had the honour to kiss his majesty's hand; and were admitted to see the prince. On the 8th of September the ceremony of christening his royal highness the prince of Wales, was performed in the great councilchamber of his majesty's palace, by his grace the archbishop of Canterbury. His royal highness the duke of Cumberland, his most serene highness the reigning duke of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, (represented by his grace the duke of Devonshire, lord chamberlain of his majesty's household) being godfathers, and her royal highness the 'princess dowager of Wales being godmother. The young prince was named George Augustus Frederick. The archbishop of Canterbury performed the following great offices, viz. the baptizing, marrying, and crowning of his late majesty; to which he now added the baptizing of his first son, a series of honours no one of his predecessors could ever boast of. On the following Sunday, their majesties and the royal family attended divine service, when the following anthem, composed for the occasion by Dr. Boyce, was performed. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious: because his endureth for ever. mercy Let Israel now confess that he is gracious: and that mercy endureth for ever. his The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: yea all such as call upon him faithfully. My heart was disquieted within me; and the fear of death was fallen upon me. upon the Lord: and he de But in my trouble I called livered me out of my distress. Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul: for the Lord hath rewarded thee. O praise the Lord with me; and let us magnify his The most splendid preparations had been for some time making for a grand installation of the order of the Garter, a pageant to which his late majesty was always particularly partial, and on Tuesday the 23d of September, their majesties entered the castle at Windsor about two o'clock; they were received at the entrance of the royal apartments by his grace the duke of Devonshire, lord Talbot, and several other officers of state, amidst the acclamations of a multitude of people. Their majesties dinner was served up at a quarter before three, and in the afternoon they went to visit his royal highness the duke of Cumberland at the lodge. About half an hour after seven o'clock, lord Bute arrived. The evening was concluded with the greatest demonstrations of joy. Wednesday morning was ushered in by ringing of bells; 700 of the guards were drawn up in two lines from St. George's-hall to the great door of the cathedral. About half an hour after eleven o'clock, the two knights elect (his royal highness prince William and lord Bute,) entered the cathedral, and were conducted into the chapter-room, where they waited the arrival of the sovereign, who came to the cathedral at 12 o'clock, in the following procession : King's marshal-men, two and two. The knights, two and two. The register, having Sir Martin Leake, garter of arms, The bishop of Salisbury, as chancellor of the order. for The sovereign being seated, (the organ playing), a procession from the choir was made to the chapter-room, by the marshal-men, poor knights. the chancellor, their royal highnesses the dukes of Cumberland and York, prince William Henry, whom they conducted into the choir, and having been properly vested, they seated; and then went out to fetch in the earl of Bute in the same order as before, except the two knights, who were the dukes of Newcastle and Rutland. His lordship being conducted into the choir, after the two knights had gone through the usual solemnities, they were all marshalled and passed from the cathedral to the hall, in the following order: Marshal-men, fifes, drums, trumpets, serjeant trumpeter. The chancellor of the order. His majesty entering the castle, went into the state room, where he received the knights, and saluted them by pulling off his cap and feather, and then retired to dinner. Dinner being served, his majesty went in procession from the state room into St. George's hall, where, being seated under a canopy erected for that purpose, the knights took their seats |