2010 Choral Evensong
01 February 2010
2010 Choral Evensong for the Commemoration of Charles, King and Martyr
A small group of Association members joined the congregation at
Choral Evensong for the commemoration of Charles, King and Martyr
in the lovely Whittall Chapel at Saint Mary and All Saints Church
on Sunday January 31st 2010. This is the nearest Sunday to the
anniversary of the King's execution.
The service was enhanced by the use of the beautifully poetic 1662
Prayer Book.
The lessons were read by Tim Gulliver, Headmaster of King Charles
(1 Timothy Ch 6 v 12-16 ) and by Pat Yarnold, President of the
Association ( Matthew Ch 20 v 25-28.
Canon Owain Bell officiated and compared the lives of King Richard
II and Charles1. He revealed his talents in Shakespearean oratory
by reading from the playwright's historical tragedy on Richard, and
commented that both Kings died at the hands of their enemies -
Richard defeated in battle and murdered at Pontefract Castle and
Charles, executed at Whitehall, following defeat in the Civil War.
Canon Bell went on to mention the letter written from Charles to
his son just before the execution, in which he urged him to be a
good king, and to concentrate on piety and honour rather than
attempting to be grand and great.
Both Kidderminster and King Charles School have their charters from
Charles I - indeed there is only one school named King
Charles in the whole of the country. Cromwell did not found any
schools or issue any charters.
This was the third occasion on which the Association has been
represented at this commemoration of Charles, King and Martyr,
which is a recognised calendar event in the Anglican Church. The
service appears set to become an essential part of Association life
into the future.
Old Carolian Association member David Morgan, Director of Music at
the Church, played the organ and led the choir. He chose as the
first hymn, what some consider to be the unofficial School Anthem,
" Let the whole creation cry, glory be to God on high." This was
written by the famous churchman Stopford Brooke, a former pupil at
the school.
Peter Vaughan Photos: Martin Humphries
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