STATES OF JERSEY
OFFICIAL REPORT
TUESDAY, 17th SEPTEMBER 2013
VISIT OF H.R.H. EARL OF WESSEX
The Bailiff:
H.R.H. the Earl of Wessex:
ADJOURNMENT
[13:47]
The Roll was called and the Greffier of the States led the Assembly in Prayer.
Your Royal Highness. On behalf of the people of Jersey and the members of the States Assembly, I welcome you most warmly to our Island which, as you know, is the southernmost part of the British Isles and therefore the warmest and the sunniest. We have convened this special meeting of the States in your honour to celebrate our loyalty to the Crown and to mark the gift to the Island of the Royal Mace by King Charles II almost 350 years ago. It is very appropriate that you should join us today on 17th September, because it was on this very day in 1649 that King Charles II himself arrived in Jersey from France. He wore mourning black in memory of his late father and of course, at the time he had no regal status in England. He was a fugitive and indeed had already sought refuge in the Island in 1646. But the people of Jersey were in no doubt about the true identity of their visitor. Jean Chevalier – the Samuel Pepys of Jersey history – recorded in his diary, as though it were a perfectly ordinary event: “Monday 17th September – The King of England, Charles II arrived in Jersey.” Of course the arrival was anything but ordinary. A huge entourage – 300 people, more than 120 horses, with carriages and wagons – landed in the Island to support the relocation of the Royal Household. But it is not surprising that the people of Jersey immediately recognised him as their King because, 7 months earlier, on 17th February 1649, when the death of King Charles I had been confirmed, the Bailiff, Sir George Carteret, instructed the Viscount to read out, in this very Square, a Proclamation declaring Prince Charles as King. It was in many ways a very courageous act. Support for the Monarchy was now a capital offence. Cromwell was in control in England and was a powerful man. His forces would later attack and subjugate the Island and he was unlikely to look kindly on those who had publicly opposed him. Yet the words of the Proclamation give no hint of diffidence or timidity. It began as follows: “Whereas the rebels have by a horrible outrage laid violent hands on the person of King Charles I of glorious memory, by whose death the Sovereign Crowns of the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland belong to and wholly and legally devolve upon His Highness the Very High and Puissant Prince Charles.” It went on to proclaim Prince Charles as King Charles II and prayed that he would be established and confirmed in all his just rights. The Proclamation was accompanied by trumpet and drums and the roar of cannon fire from Elizabeth Castle. Chevalier, who lived in a house overlooking the Square, noted the reaction of members of the watching crowd – they threw their hats into the air and spontaneously took up the cry: “Long Live Charles II”. The Proclamation was also read at Elizabeth Castle and at Mont Orgueil Castle in the days that followed. Then it was brought back here and was nailed to the door of the Royal Court building, so that people might know of their new King. Reverting to his arrival 6 months later in September 1649, Charles II was to spend nearly 5 months in Jersey, living at Elizabeth Castle, but travelling regularly from the Castle to St Helier where, as we have heard, he attended St Helier Parish Church and undertook a number of formal duties. When he was restored to the throne in 1660, King Charles did not forget the courage of the Islanders in proclaiming him King and sheltering him twice. He ordered that the Royal Mace, which is before you today, should be presented to the Bailiff in recognition of the service shown to the Crown during the Civil War. The Mace was officially received in the Royal Court the following year, on 28th November 1663, and the stirring inscription which we have just heard resonates for us today, as it must have done for Islanders at the time of the restoration. Sir, we are as proud today of our links with the Crown as Bailiff Carteret and his fellow signatories to the Proclamation were in the 17th century. The Mace is a perpetual reminder of this connection. The last occasion upon which the States met in the Royal Square was a little more than 12 months ago during Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, when Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were our honoured guests. That ceremony was part of a programme of events in which thousands of Islanders participated, rejoicing at the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and recalling with affection her 6 visits to Jersey. On this special day, we celebrate the 350th anniversary of our gift from King Charles II and an unbroken link with the Crown which stretches back so many centuries. We, the States and people of Jersey, wish to take this opportunity of reaffirming our loyalty to Her Majesty and to the Royal House of Windsor. We respectfully ask that you might convey these sentiments to Her Majesty on our behalf. Now, Sir, may I invite you to unveil a plaque to commemorate the Proclamation made on 17th February 1649.
Mr. Bailiff thank you for your kind words of welcome and your loyal address to Her Majesty The Queen. I will ensure to convey your words and sentiments which will, I can assure you, be received with gladness and humility as you would expect. Last year was indeed a most special year, as to some extent is this year, celebrating Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee and now 60th anniversary of her coronation. The outpouring of support and respect was truly humbling to behold for those of us lucky enough to have been a part of it. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall I know enjoyed their visit here last year as part of a concerted effort by Her Majesty’s family to try to ensure that every Realm, Territory and, of course, Crown Dependency received a visit and to feel included in the celebrations. My wife and I had the privilege to visit 9 Realms and Territories as well as participating in a variety of other visits and events. My overriding impression was that everyone realised they were witnessing and living through an historic moment, for in a thousand years of our Monarchy this is only the 2nd Diamond Jubilee. Today we are marking a rather different, but equally historic moment. Thank you for recounting the events of 364 years ago to the day and the circumstances which led to the presentation of this wonderful ceremonial mace. I am not sure if you’re aware, but the origin of these wonderfully ornate symbols of royal authority was a mediaeval close quarter weapon or battle hammer. I believe this has been a recurring joke between my father and the Viscount and how it is carried! Although the idea of a club as a weapon has been around for a very long time, the battle hammer or mace became particularly important with the development of armour. It was all very well unseating a knight, but he remained fairly impregnable. A short-handled, weighted mace however could inflict enough damage to restrict the occupant’s movement or indeed render them unconscious. This being the primary aim as ransoming a captured knight was far more valuable than killing them! Such weapons were often the choice of the King’s bodyguard as they could be the most effective defence in a close quarter battle. With a little embellishment they could also be carried by the King’s officers and emissaries signifying the importance of the bearer. Knights of course wore their own distinguishing emblems on their shields, helmets and over their armour to identify them in the thick of battle and provide a rallying point for their men, so the carrying of a mace with an appropriate crown on the top was a simple way of proving their royal authority. This practice developed and is still evident today with a variety of individuals who carry batons, staffs or indeed maces to signify their authority and from whom it is delegated. By far the most elaborate and impressive are those like the one you have here in Jersey, to signify the delegation of royal authority to the States Assembly. Having told you all this, please do remember it was a very long time ago that maces were last used as weapons and I certainly do not want to hear that any member of the States Assembly has been testing your Royal Mace’s effectiveness at resolving a disagreement! As the saying goes: ‘please don’t try this in your own parliament!’ Mr. Bailiff I believe this is my 4th or possibly 5th visit to your lovely island – my office’s records do not quite seem to tally with my recollections – although I have experienced better weather. As ever I have been made to feel most welcome and have particularly enjoyed visiting some of your finest gardens on this occasion. It is good to see that the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award continues to play a significant part in the life of these islands and that young people are encouraged and supported to achieve those life skills and practical experiences so valuable in their futures. May I take this opportunity to thank all those volunteers who support not only the D. of E., but also the myriad of other organisations and programmes vital to our society without whose help and enthusiasm simply could not function – some of whom I am glad to see attending this event. Attending this special meeting of the States Assembly and celebrating 350 years of your Royal Mace has been a wonderful experience and the fact that you continue to relish your relationship with The Queen and with your monarchy is truly heartening. I know I can speak on behalf of Her Majesty in saying thank you and may God Bless the people of these beautiful islands of the Bailiwick of Jersey.
[14:08]
