Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Monday, 12 May 2014

Ceremonial of the Order of the Bath


Last week the news that The Queen had delegated a part of the ceremonial at the service of the Order of the Bath - the Offering - to the Prince of Wales as Great Master of the Order led to more media coverage of the ceremony than might otherwise have happened. That Her Majesty at 88 might be advised to save herself a potentially awkward move down steep steps in evening dress and the robes of the Order from her stall to the altar and back is, in itself, no very great surprise.

There is in a sense more interest in both the interest this has caused as a news story, and in the fact that images of the ceremonies of the Order are readily available online.


Order of the Bath

The Queen arrives at Westminster Abbey for the service

Image BBC/Getty images


Last Saturday's Daily Telegraph has good coverage in Queen drops out of ceremonial role over concerns about steep steps and the BBC website, which can be seen here also features archive images.


photo

The Prince of Wales as Great Master of the Order presents the Offering during the service

Image: The British Monarchy on Flickr

There is an online history of the Order, its insignia and officers at Order of the Bath.


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