Coronation Privileges

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 103, 13 June 1941, Page 5

Coronation Privileges

T the coronation of a King certain families enjoy what might be termed hereditary privileges, which have been handed down from father to son through centuries. It would be very interesting to trace the origin of some of these functions; many relate to customs now obsolete. There is a tehacity about. many of these traditions, and they live on as part of that sense of continuity of which the British’ are so proud. So, when plans for the Coronation were

first begun, the Court of Claims was set up to decide which of these ancient claims would be upheld, and which refused. One Duke had the right to claim so many yards of broadcloth; another so many yards of velvet. Another claimed the privilege of carrying certain items of the Royal regalia in front of the King or the Queen in the Coronation procession. Another

put forward his claim to supply certain white kid gloves. In some cases, there were two claimants for the one privilege, rival branches of the same family, each asserting its seniority. In one case, a claim was made on behalf of the estate, the new owner of the castle and property, insisting that the privilege went with the estate and not with the title. He claimed that his purchase of the castle entitled him to the hereditary: functions which had long ago been bestowed on its original owner. This claim was based on the wording of some ancient document relating to it. I suppose, when the privilege was granted, the fact that the castle and estate should one day pass from the original family into the hands of strangers was not even thought of, and therefore not provided for.-(" Shoes and Ships and Sealing Wax," by Nelle Scanlan, 2YA, May 20.)