A Royal Tale

I hope that Robert & your good self will grant me this indulgence.

This has been a really lovely project to be involved in together with a wonderful illustrator, Rosie Brooks: https://rosiebrooks.com

With my journalistic head on, it has been a joy to discover the story behind how the National Anthem came about. There's mystery, rebellion, theatre & as it turns out, food involved.

It might be that this anthem goes all the way back to medieval times, a plainchant, to then one of Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite composers, John Bull. Maybe there were a few cheeky additions in the 17th Century by another English composer, Henry Purcell & then, in the next by the man who brought us ‘Rule, Britannia’, Thomas Arne.

In the autumn of 1745 King George II’s reign was being threatened by Bonnie Prince Charlie. The ‘Young Pretender’ to the throne claimed a significant victory over George’s army at Prestonpans on the coast a few miles from Edinburgh. News of the defeat headed south &  in particular to the eyes & ears of the musicians at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London’s West End. 

The band decided to show their loyalty to their monarch by taking ‘God Save The King’ as their own. One evening the orchestra leader ended a performance with the anthem &, according to a newspaper report, there was: ‘universal applause from the audience.’ It was a rip-roaring success which ended up being repeated nightly & then the practice spread to other playhouses in the capital, too. Within a year or so it was being played and sung whenever royalty appeared in public. 

I stumbled across one story about William IV & Queen Adelaide. They were given the honour of opening the new London Bridge back in 1831 on the first day of August. According to reports of the day it was a major celebratory event in the capital. The Times newspaper described it as 'the most splendid spectacle that has been witnessed on the Thames for many years.' Thousands turned out to see the royal couple make their way along the mighty river for the ceremony. 

The New London Bridge on the day of opening in August 1831 by King William IV & Queen Adelaide

After the king & queen & their entourage had disembarked, they traversed the red carpet, did the honours of declaring the bridge open before heading off to a huge banquet. A marquee had been erected on the bridge itself for the feast & what was served? The Gentleman’s Magazine reported that food was provided by a coffee house proprietor, a Mr Leech, & was said to include '150 hams and tongues, 370 dishes of chickens, 300 turtles as well as 200 fruit tarts and 300 ice-creams'.

Goodness me.

During their repast William & Adelaide listened to an odd performance of the National Anthem. As part of the celebrations a man & a woman decided to give an impromptu rendition of the tune for the royal couple.

According to one report: "He playing ‘God Save The King’ with his knuckles on his chin, accompanied by his wife’s voice. The King called to me and asked me who they were. I told him I was sorry they had intruded without permission. ‘Oh, no. No intrusion' said the King. ‘It was charming. Tell them to perform it again.” 

This new book is aimed at youngsters who may well be hearing or singing the National Anthem for the very first time. If you'd like to find out more, well, erm .. you know .. 

https://www.waterstones.com/book/god-save-the-king/rosie-brooks/anne-marie-minhall/9781399809917

#Shameless

Yet ..

No, there’s no hiding it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

AMM