2010 King's Anniversary
31 January 2010
361st Anniversary of the King's execution
It was a very cold day when a tough band of OC's gathered in the Town Hall to watch Association President Pat Yarnold lay a wreath to commemorate the 361st anniversary of the King's execution in Whitehall at 2.30pm.
In the short service in front of the King's portrait,Canon Owain
Bell welcomed everyone and read from a letter of Charles to his son
before the execution. Charles urged the future King to be a pious
and good monarch, with respect for the people, rather than
concentrating on attempting to become great. Despite his many
faults, Charles was a devout Christian and a decent human being who
showed considerable courage at his execution. He was not a Saint
Francis or a Thomas Aquinas, but even his enemies recorded their
admiration at his bearing that day. Canon Bell ended his speech
with prayers for Kidderminster, for King Charles, The Old
Carolians' Association and the school.
Pat Yarnold said that as an Art teacher, he was particularly
impressed with King Charles' love of art, his relationship with Van
Dyke and other artists, and the manner in which he built up the
greatest art collection in Europe at that time. Reading a biography
of Charles had given Pat some new perspectives on the man and the
monarch . It had certainly reinforced the importance of Charles in
granting charters to the town and the school. Pat ended his speech
with a reading and remarked that the execution in 1649 had been
delayed from 9.00am until 2.30pm so that Parliament could rush
through 3 readings of a Bill to ensure the future Charles II could
not assume power upon his father's death.
After the formal proceedings, the Deputy Mayor , Cllr. Jeff Baker
invited all present to meet in the Mayor's Parlour for light
refreshments and a traditional celebratory glass - a very
welcome gesture on such a cold day.
Peter Vaughan Photos: Martin Humphries
