2012 King's Anniversary
31 January 2012
363rd Anniversary of the King's execution
Kidderminster's Lady Mayoress, Councillor Anne Hingley, welcomed a gathering of Old Carolians to the Annual wreath laying at the portrait of King Charles in the room named after him in the Town Hall.
For the benefit of those who have never ascended the magnificent
carpeted stairs up to the King Charles Room, it is well worth
a brief description. As you climb, you see large paintings of
former Mayors of Kidderminster and at the top of the stairs is
a wooden settle belonging to the family of Richard Baxter,
dated 1615, and carved with their initials. To the left are several
wall mounted glass cases containing Kidderminster Charters.
One is the 1586 Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth and which
reinforces the Kidderminster Domesday Book entry of 1086, the 500th
Anniversary. Next to it is a copy of Charles 1's 1640
Ordinances which lists the various trades of the Borough
of Kidderminster, the unions of tailors, weavers, smiths and
shoemakers. It also particularly lists the numbers involved in
the cloth trade. Then next to this is a copy of the 1827 Charter ,
one of only 3 granted in the reign of George 4th. The Charter
grants the town an increase in the number of magistrates from
3 to 6, and creates Aldermen and Councillors from the previous
Burgesses. There is an indication that Kidderminster folk were
not impressed with the £1500 cost of the Charter but the town
leaders ignored this and celebrated with Dinner at the Lion Hotel.
Rather strangely, as you look around the landing for other
documents, you see a rather old fashioned muddy bicycle,
leaning against the wall. It is covered with clothing which
the rider has obviously removed, together with a cycling
helmet and lock. It has to be said that this is a rather bizarre
sight but no one has indicated that it is in any way a famous
antiquity of Kidderminster. Perhaps an Old Carolian rode to the
Town Hall on it and parked it outside the King Charles Room
rather than risk leaving it outside.
At the appointed time of 2.30pm, Canon Owain Bell welcomed the
Lady Mayoress, Anne Hingley, Old Carolian President Andy Moule
and fellow Old Carolians to the Commemoration ceremony.
He talked in particular about the actual beheading of the King
outside the Banqueting Hall in Whitehall and noted that
writers at the time commented on the King's courage. He quoted the
famous speech from Shakespeare's Macbeth: "Nothing in his life
became him like the leaving it. He died as one that had been
studied in his death to throw away the dearest thing he owed - as
'twere a careless trifle." Canon Bell also reminded us of
Charles' last words: "I go from a corruptible to an
incorruptible Crown."
Old Carolian President Andy Moule also reminded us of the famous
actors and actresses who had portrayed monarchs in films over
the decades. He particularly mentioned the reigns of Henry
V111 and Elizabeth and said that only 2 actors had been filmed
as King Charles 1. Sir Alec Guinness had famously portrayed
Charles in the film "Cromwell" as a dignified, devout and
courageous family man while in the other film, "To Kill a
King", Rupert Everett had portrayed him as a stubborn,
dictatorial bigot. The cavaliers amongst us were in no doubt
which artistic portrayal and interpretation we preferred.
Following Andy's address, he placed the wreath underneath the
portrait, there were short prayers at the end of the ceremony
and the friendly gathering adjourned for very welcome tea and
biscuits.
OCA World Affairs Correspondent: "Captain" Peter Vaughan
Photographer: Martin Humphties
