The Royal Christening in 1537

With yesterday's very traditional christening by modern standards, of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge at Sandringham in mind, and thanks to the Special Correspondent, I can reproduce this article from last April's online Newsletter from the College of Arms.

The Baptism of King Edward VI

The archives of the College of Arms include unique records of the baptism at Hampton Court of Edward VI on 15 October 1537. These records were the basis of a BBC television programme, called 'A Night to Remember', broadcast on 10 January 2015, which recreated the baptism and its processions, guided by the historians Dr Lucy Worsley and Dr David Starkey. Peter O'Donoghue, York Herald, assisted in the research and appeared in the programme, both as an expert in discussions with Dr Starkey, and playing a Tudor herald in the recreated procession.

Illustrated is an image from a College of Arms manuscript illustrating the procession to the chapel.
The drawings were probably created in the 1560s and the costumes here reflect the fashions of that time rather than of the 1530s.

Image and text: College of Arms

What's in a name for a Princess

Christopher Howse has an interesting and entertaining article in today's Daily Telegraph about the names chosen for Princess Charlotte and some of their historical resonances. His article can be seen at Princess Charlotte could still define herself as a Diana.

How much significance there is in the choice of names is unclear - despite having dynastic associations they may, as some commentators have suggested, also, or simply are, names the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge like. Either way they seem eminently suitable.

Congratulations to Their Royal Highnesses

I wish through this post to convey my congratulations and good wishes to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and to their daughter upon her birth this morning.

I heard the news at midday at the conclusion of a talk at the Oxford Oratory parish centre when one of those who had been there checked the news on her mobile phone and told us there was a new Princess.

I called into the church to light a candle to Our Lady for the royal baby, and as went in the Provost was running the Union flag up on the flagpole over the entrance archway in celebration.

During the afternoon in the bar of the Oxford Union a friend and I drank the health of the new Princess.