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 St Mary and All Saints Church on Sunday 31st January 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 Book of Common Prayer.
The lessons were read by Tim Gulliver, Headteacher of King Charles I School (1 Timothy, Chapter 6, Verses 12 to 16), and Pat Yarnold, President of the Association (St Matthew, Chapter 20, Verses 25 to 28).
Canon Owain Bell officiated and compared the lives of Kings Richard II and Charles I. 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 I School have their charters from Charles I; indeed, there is only one school named for 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.
Words: 'Captain' Peter Vaughan
Photos: Martin Humphries