The formulary which has served as the general model for the English coronations since the time of Edward III. is the ' Liber Regalia,' which is deposited in the archives of the dean and chapter of West minster. It is supposed to have been written for the particular instructions of the prelates who attended at the coronation of King Richard II. and his queen. Copies of this manuscript, without its illumina tions, are preserved in one or two of our manuscript libraries. The substance of the ceremonial directed in it is abridged in Soma's Manners and Customs,' vol. ii. p. 22-37.
The following is the form of and cere monial in administering the Coronation Oath to our kings :—Sermon being ended, and the King having made and signed the declaration, the Archbishop goes to the King, and standing before him, adminis ters the Coronation Oath, first asking the King—" Sir, is your Majesty willing to take the Oath ?" and the King answering, " I am willing ;" the Archbishop minis tereth these Questions ; and the King, having a Copy of the printed Form and Order of the Coronation service in his hands, answers each Question severally as follows " Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the People of this United Kingdom of Great Britain and , Ireland, and the Dominions thereto be longing, according to the Statutes in Par liament agreed on, and the respective Laws and Customs of the same ?" King, " I solemnly promise so to do." Archb. " W ill you to your Power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your Judgments ?" King. " I will.
Archb. " Will you to the utmost of your Power maintain the Laws of God, the true Profession of the Gospel, and the Protestant Reformed Religion established by Law ? And will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the United Church of England and Ireland, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by Law established within England and Ireland, and the ter ritories thereunto belonging ? And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England and Ireland, and to the United Church committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges as by Law do or shall appertain to them, or any of them ?" King. this I promise to do." Then the King arising out of his Chair, supported as before, and assisted by the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Sword of State being carried before him, shall go to the Altar, and there being uncovered, make his solemn Oath in the sight of all the People to observe the premises : lay ing his right hand upon the Holy Gospel in the Great Bible, which was before carried in the Procession, and is • now brought from the Altar by the Archbishop, and tendered to him as he kneels upon the steps, saying these words : "The Things which I have here pro mised I will perform and keep, So help me God." Then the King kisseth the Book, and signeth the Oath. (See the Form and Order observed in the Coronation of His Majesty King George IV, 4to., London, 1821.)