Disclaimer: The King, Higgins and the children belong to me, everything else is history.

And here it is.

Chapter XVIII

Palace of Westminster - Westminster Abbey

The next morning, I woke bright and early already thinking about what was to come. I could hear sounds coming from the next room with Higgins voice the loudest; it also had a sound of annoyance as if something had gone wrong.

I got up and went to the window. I could see Westminster Abbey in the distance, it bells ringing. The door opened and Higgins came in.

"Good morning, Your Majesty." Higgins said with a bow.

"Good morning, Higgins. Is everything alright? I could hear raised voices coming from next door?" I said.

"Everything is fine; something wasn't cleaned properly but is being done now." Higgins replied.

I nodded and turned back to the window. Higgins was only getting used to his new position as Head of the Royal Person, it was a title I created for him as he has served me for as long as I can remember and thought he deserved to be recognised for it.

Soon it was time for me to get ready and I put on my second coronation robes. They were exactly the same as the ones I wore yesterday but these were in cloth of gold and it was just as heavy. The Lords had gathered and my long train was being held by 6 footmen. I stood as it was draped around me and fastened at the neck and it was complete.

As before we walked through the corridors and met Anne in the great hall where we joined and walked out to the waiting carriage. Anne was helped up first and her train placed around her feet, then it was my turn. I had to almost pull myself into the carriage but managed and took my seat next to Anne then my train was placed around my feet.

At 11 o'clock we set off to the Abbey. The crowd were out in force again, cheering and waving. Free food, wine and beer flowed to celebrate the coronation.

As we drew nearer to the Abbey I was getting nervous, would I remember my lines and what to do? Anne, as if she could feel my nerves, took my hand and gave it a small squeeze, she looked at me and I felt my nerves melt away.

The carriage stopped at the steps to Westminster Abbey. Anne and I were helped down, six ladies and six gentlemen waited to take both of our trains, then we made our way up the steps and into the Abbey.

As we entered the Abbey the organ was playing a piece by the composer Thomas Tallis. To the side were 6 Lords each holding a cushion with the royal regalia. The first two held mine and Anne's crowns. The Imperial crown was a magnificent piece. It was made with a thick band of gold with two arches that finished in the middle with a jewelled cross at the top. Five crosses pattée and five fleurs-de-lis lined around the base and was decorated with emeralds, sapphires, rubies, pearls and diamonds. Anne's crown was similar but was smaller and was set with diamonds and pearls. The other cushions held the sceptres of state and office of Kingship and the Queen Consort's Sceptre. Lastly were the coronation rings, the Sovereign's Ring and the Queen Consort's Ring.

The trumpets sounded and the procession made its long way down with the Imperial crown leading the way. As we reached the High Alter the trumpets sounded again. I made my way up the steps and was met by Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Fisher. He led me over to the Coronation Chair, I turned and stood so that the chair was behind me.

Archbishop Fisher then faced the Lords and other nobles gathered and called in a loud voice "Sirs, I here present unto you King Henry IX, your undoubted King: Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, Are you willing to do the same?"

"Yea, Yea." They all replied.

I gave a small bow and sat down and Archbishop Fisher came and stood in front of me and asked.

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

"I am willing." I replied.

"Sire, will you grant and keep and by your oath confirm to the people of England the laws and customs given to them by the previous just and god-fearing Kings, your ancestors, and especially the laws, customs, and liberties granted to the clergy and people by the glorious king, the sainted Edward, your predecessor?"

"I grant and promise them."

"Sire, will you in all your judgements, so far as in you lies, preserve to God and Holy Church, and to the people and clergy, entire peace and concord before God?"

"I will preserve them."

"Sire will you so far as in you lies, cause justice to be rendered rightly, impartially, and wisely, in compassion and in truth?"

"I will do so."

"Sire, do you grant to be held and observed the just laws and customs that the community of your realm shall determine, and will you, so far as in you lies, defend and strengthen them to the honour of God?"

"I grant and promise them."

I stood and went to the alter and knelt. In front of me were the Holy Bible and my coronation oath.

"The things which I have here before promised, I will perform, and keep. So help me God." I said. I kissed the book and signed the oath.

I then returned to my chair. After prayers were said and the choir sang, then came the anointing, four Knights of the Garter came forwards carrying a canopy of cloth of gold. They came so that I was covered from sight and Archbishop Fisher came forwards and anointed me on my hands, chest and head. The Garter Knight moved away and I was uncovered.

More prayers were said and then it was Anne's turn. A smaller chair had been placed next to mine and Anne came and stood by it. Once again Archbishop Fisher asked the lords and nobles if they would take Anne as there undoubted Queen and again they replied by calling "Yea, Yea."

Anne was anointed under the same canopy on the hands, breasts and head. Then it came to the crowning. First the Sovereign's Ring and the Queen Consort's Ring were put on our fourth finger on our right hand. Then sceptres of state and office of Kingship and the Queen Consort's Sceptre were brought, the sceptre of State was placed in my right hand and the sceptre of Office in my left. The Queen Consort's Sceptre was placed in Anne's right hand.

Then the two crown's came forward, Archbishop Fisher took the Imperial Crown and held it over my head and said.

"O God the Crown of the faithful: Bless, we beseech thee this Crown and so sanctify thy servant Henry upon whose head this day thou dost place it for a sign of royal majesty, that he may be filled by thine abundant grace with all princely virtues: through the King, eternal Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Then lowered the crown onto my head.

"GOD SAVE THE KING"

Then the Queen's crown was brought over and the same process ending with the congregation proclaiming.

"GOD SAVE THE QUEEN"

Then came the homage of the lords starting with Archbishop Fisher. He knelt down and placed his hands between mine and said.

"I, Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury will be faithful and true, and faith and truth will bear unto you, our Sovereign Lord, King of this Realm and unto your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God." Then he kissed my right hand and stood.

Then the lords starting with the Duke of Suffolk, then the Duke of Norfolk and other lords after that paid their homage to me. It was the longest part of the ceremony but it was vital.

After seven long hours the coronation was over. Anne and I stood and made our way back through the congregation to the Abbey door.

As we stepped outside the crowd, that had been waiting erupted into cheers and clapping with many shouting "God Save the King" "God Save the Queen"

We descended the steps and were helped into the carriage and made our way back to Westminster Hall where a lavish feast was waiting.

LONG LIVE KING HENRY IX

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