xxxij
VEDA steps out into the scorching sunshine. The hotel behind her has an AA board and Virginia creeper clinging to its sandstone façade. The name is written prominently above the door and a coat of arms depicting crossed leeks and a sheep in a sling
E A R L
O F
J E D B U R G H
She puts on sunglasses and assesses the crowd, trying to decide which way to flow.
The mix is more diverse than at Jervaulx. There are still many young people, men and women and children of all ages and sizes, but this time there are more middle aged or elderly people. In addition, the clothing is smarter. Wide-brimmed hats, summer suits, ties, as though everyone is about to attend a wedding.
"I shan't see you today," Iestyn had said as he'd scrambled out of bed at seven o' clock and pulled on his jeans. "I have to work but I'll get someone to look after you."
"Why me?" she'd asked quietly. "Why did you choose me?"
"Because it's your destiny," He had dragged his red rugby jersey over his head. "Our destiny. To complete the picture, finish the jigsaw. It's why we were born." He frowned then quoted a line from the Noh Play - "You must watch to see which road I take. Only then you can find out where I am returning to." He pulled on his socks. "It's all we can do, my darling Vigilant Journalist. Watch and learn."
There are flags in abundance, St George's Crosses, Scottish Saltires, Union Flags, several with the three lions passant gardant (the Royal Arms of England), some with the lion rampant (the Royal Arms of Scotland), a handful with the Arms supported by The English Lion and the Scottish Unicorn (as adopted by James I in 1603) and a host of red Welsh jabberwocks. There is an air of anticipation, a sense of excitement, a feeling of tension, of infectious good humour. Veda catches the fever and moves towards the entrance, smiling and nodding as she goes.
Jedburgh Abbey was founded in 1138 by Augustinian monks from Beauvais, France. The abbey was sponsored by King David I of Scotland and John, Bishop of Glasgow. Sacked by Protestants in the sixteenth century, the soaring Norman arches and huge ruined nave remain beside the A68, the main road through the ancient Lowlands city.
The remains of the Abbey are splendidly arrayed. At the High Altar, a huge triptych has been erected. In the centre, Parmigianino's Madonna with Child (or The Vision of Jerome), to the left, the Dürer woodcut, to the right Raphael's Justice. Hanging from arches are national flags and banners depicting St Justus of Beauvais, St David, James Edward Stuart, a jay, a jackdaw and a mole.
As Veda takes in the riot of colour and the hubbub of sound, she sees Tabitha and Iestyn Thomas and Jazey Joskin by the Altar. Iestyn is wearing a purple robe bordered with orange hems tied with a cord. Jazey Joskin is dressed in an Augustinian black habit. He places a necklace of black beads around Iestyn's bared neck. He is joined by Jemadar Jannock. They all shake hands and smile warmly. Then the willowy blond boy Josh Jukes wanders underneath a hanging jay banner and hooks a downy arm round Iestyn's neck. Joshing Josh is dressed, like Jesting Iestyn, in a purple and orange robe. Tabitha Thomas wipes a smudge of dirt from Joshua's face. Suddenly, a trumpet fanfare calls the crowd to order. Jonquil Jabot nudges Veda hard in the ribs and thrusts a paper into her hand. "It's starting."
The Coronation
Tuesday July 25, Feast Day of St James the Great (or Pilgrim)
in the Year of the Jay
Jedburgh Abbey, Scotland
of His Royal Majesty, King, by the Grace of God and Royal Descent, and Sovereign of the United Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales
The Service to be conducted by The Rt Rev The Bishop of St David's
The Congregational hymn "O praise ye the Lord"
followed by
The anthem "Te Deum Laudamus" by Henry Purcell
The Regent shall lead the Crown Prince up to the Throne.
He is displayed to the People and Recognised.
The King is Acclaimed by Shouts of VIVAT VIVAT VIVAT REX
The Bishop of St David's and the Earl of Jedburgh Call on the People to Witness the Anointing of the Crown Prince with Holy Oil
The anthem "I was glad" by Henry Purcell
The Crown Prince swears His Solemn Vows and is Crowned as King
The National Anthems are sung:
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau (Oh, Land of my Fathers)
God Save the King
"The Prince is dressed in a Robe of pagan, anti-establishment Orange and imperial, ecclesiastical Purple and wrapped in the Golden Fleece and then the Coronation Vows are administered by the Bishop and others. Then he is crowned with the Crown of King Robert, the ancient coronet picked out of the surf and sand of a beach in Wales over two centuries ago." Jonquil Jabot points it out. "There."
A magnificent and immensely heavy looking crown is being set by Jemadar Jannock upon the High Altar, which is itself bedecked in a cloth of gold with a jay embroidered in Imperial purple upon its centre. Beside it stands an impressive throne similarly attired with a jay bird volant in purpure on a field cloth of or.
"But who is it?" says Veda. "Who is the King?"
"Hush," hisses the crowd.
A choir, in white surplices and red mantles, enters the Great East Door. Jarrah Jambres, resplendent in scarlet, leads them forward.
Everyone sings
O Praise ye the Lord, praise Him in the height
Rejoice in His word, ye angels of light!
Ye heavens adore Him, by whom ye were made,
And worship before Him in brightness arrayed.
Censers swing. Water stoups flick. Decani and Cantori alternate lines
O praise ye the Lord, Praise Him upon earth,
In tuneful accord, ye sons of new birth,
Praise Him who hath brought you His grace from above,
Praise Him who hath taught you to sing of His love.
The surplices swish. The choir separates as it reaches the Altar and bows before filing into their places.
O Praise ye the Lord! Thanksgiving and song
To Him be outpoured all ages along:
For love in creation, for Heaven restored,
For grace of salvation, O Praise Ye the Lord.
In a sonorous voice the Bishop, in robes of purple and orange, begins the ceremony: "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together to witness the solemn vows and promises of our King as he accedes to his Throne... "
Purcell's Te Deum is sung. The boy soloists imitate the Cherubin and Seraphim crying continually over the full force block chord Holy Holy Holies. The seven-part double counterpointing of Thou Art the King of Glory O Christ is quite stunning.
The King has arrived and stands waiting in the doorway. He is clad in a Golden Fleece. He kneels and waits for the Justiciar, Jumbuck Jorum, to crave admittance to the Church.
Veda stands on tiptoe but can only see Jemadar Jannock's dimpled knees and Jazey Joskin's powdered wig. The Justiciar removes the fleece and the people shout:
"VIVAT VIVAT VIVAT."
The instrumental introduction to Purcell's great anthem begins, the people crane to see, and
the King steps into the Abbey.
Veda's view is blocked by Jeoffrey's tail.
Another huge shout of Acclamation shakes the foundations and pillars and makes the banners shudder. VIVAT rings through the air,
again and again,
VIVAT VIVAT VIVAT
until,
as the King moves forward for his Formal Recognition,
the massed congregation
waiting,
poised,
intent,
hammers out the opening line of
I was glad when they said unto me
“We will go into the house of the Lord.”
Veda can see Jemadar Jannock, Jazey Joskin, Jumbuck Jorum but they are obscured by people's heads, hats, pipe smoke and cat's tails. She does, however, have a view of the Altar, the Throne and the Crown and knows that, when the Procession reaches
the Great West Window (Frame) and the King stands before his People to be anointed and crowned, she will at last see the object of her quest. Her Valiant Journey will be over.
The Procession has arrived. The Bishop receives his Monarch.
Sursum Corda, they sing. Lift up your hearts.
In the centre of her palm, she turns over Iestyn's jacobus, the unite of King James.
And,
as the Golden Crown of Robert I is held aloft,
Veda Jenkins settles back in the construction of David and John and waits for
the King
to stand on the steps,
be displayed and be recognised,
and receive his birthright from the hands of the Bishop.
An incredible change is taking place within her, something she has not felt before, a feeling of something new, something different, a feeling of new life beginning. And it feels exciting and wonderful, pregnant with possibility.
The Choir sings Purcell's 'My Heart is Inditing' (1685). At the words "With joy and gladness shall she be brought," Jumbuck Jorum leads the King towards her. "And shall enter into the King's Palace...."
"Oh my God," she murmurs as she gets her first clear and unobstructed view of the figure standing under the Golden Fleece, as her hand is joined to his, signalling marriage, as he smiles warmly yet weakly into her widening eyes, as she recognises her King, and that she will be Queen, "Oh my God," she repeats, over the loud, resounding cheers of the congregation as the Bishop raises the golden crown of Robert Stuart aloft, "I don't believe it. I don't believe you're the king," she laughs, because
it's
it's
THE END