Yesterday: I drove to Pickering for my second jab at 2.30. The volunteers were superb, ushered into the municipal car park, then walked through the surgery's car park and then through one of two doors of our separate towns. All efficient no waiting around, nurses going through the routine with bright manners. We should be thankful to those people who volunteer to stand around and look after us.
Driving home I made the driveway just before the one minute silence and sat there in the company of the garden. I had noticed a cyclist had also stopped a bit further up the road, and a delivery van also pulled up at the entrance, for that brief moment of remembrance.
It makes me wonder as a republican, whether having a royal family at the head of our country is probably the best solution for us.
The service was beautiful in its simplicity, and yet took in all the values of a very historical country. I had never been terribly interested in castles, and though we had passed Windsor Castle on our journeys from South to North, it had never made much of an impression.
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| Choir of St. George by Charles Wild 1818 |
But the fan vaulted roof of King George's Chapel reminds you of all the hard work labourers and masons had done through the centuries. Starting with the motte and bailey of The Tower in the 12th century it had flourished into an overly designed castle with the chapel a handsome addition. I also notice that, that a Victorian architect, Harold Brakespear, whose articles on the Abbey's of Wiltshire I often read about when doing a course on archaeology was instrumental in restoring it.
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| The development of a castle from a motte and bailey The funeral was dignified, and will represent through later history, the Time when we went through the Pandemic. For there sat the queen, so forlorn by herself at the end of the choir chairs, that you wept for her loss. The chosen family of 30 people were resplendent in black, there black face masks utilitarian in choice. A thoroughly dignified and beautiful service. Now for the chatter, did the two sons make up? Will Prince Andrew escape the shadow of darkness that engulfs his behaviour. But perhaps we all will remember the Duke Of Edinburgh for his lifetime service to the country and Queen Elizabeth rather than mull around the gossip of an American actor and their spouses! Rather look at the Fell ponies, as Phillip wished them to be there at his funeral.  |
I wasn't going to watch but Mrs D did, and I came in just after 2 and was captivated by the magnificent, visually and musically stunning spectacle. The psalms with four voices were incredibly moving. As regards monarchy v republic - well, anyone for President Cameron?
ReplyDeleteThe music was stunning, the small choir flawless. Even the bagpipes had that singularly historic air of past kings and queens. Yes, agree, the calibre of a president for us would be really worrying, having seen past other presidents. Stick with what you know!
DeleteIt was a moving event, made me sad but so so proud. Your are right about the family resplendent in black. I’ve been to several funerals where we’ve been requested to wear bright colours, I plan to insist in black for mine.
ReplyDeleteYes Jenny, they were dressed very sombrely, but so elegant as well. The cameras also managed to discreetly not watch the family all the time but focussed on the service.
DeleteI think that the greatest function that the monarchy has (since the signing of the Magna Carta) for Britain is the moderation of civic power. This used to be the function of the House of Lords before they did away with hereditary peers and substituted them for politicians. Can you imagine how bloody awful things would be here if we turned into a republic?
ReplyDeleteYes I can, especially now as we are calling the politicians out as corrupt and crooked chancers. I have also liked having a second House of Lords to keep an eye on the bills passed. Politicians are now always working for their parties rather than the people - and it is beginning to get noticed by more and more people.
DeleteMy natural antipathy towards royalty has softened through the years. Our magnificent queen and her loyal consort have been ever-present in my life so it has been sad to see Philip go. We shall not see his like again. As you say, it was indeed a beautiful; funeral service on a beautiful day. The choir of four were superb.
ReplyDeleteWeirdly I think we are so lucky to stage our ceremonies amongst some beautiful buildings. The music was beautiful, the singing especially so. Philip represented an older generation that has almost died out, where the younger generation will go in the future is open to change.
DeleteI am not a Royalist at all, although I can't think of a better alternative - but the wholeceremony yesterday we so well done and a fitting end. I am sure the Queen was pleased with it - it was sad she had to sit alone but she is strong and I am sure that she and the Duke had plenty of time to discuss it in the last few weeks. The fell ponies behaved beautifully largely thanks to the handlers who were constantly stroking and talking to them as they stood there.
ReplyDeleteIt was a quiet ceremony Pat, it passed off well, and luckily people respected the need for it to be subdued.
DeleteI am touched that you were able to see and join other citizens listening for and participating in a moment of silence for a man of duty.
ReplyDeleteThey are good these minutes of silence it draws the mind to reflect and meditate for a time Joanne.
DeleteWe should perhaps have more moments of reflection - but not just for the dead. I guess the clap for carers was something of the sort. I have no interest in royalty - that's not the same as being pro or anti - it's to say that I'm uninterested in the media portrayal of their lives and its putative relevance to ours.
ReplyDeleteYes of course their lives do not figure in our own lives, they are part of the gossip that the media indulges in. Funnily enough having listened to Gormenghast, there are parallels with this moribund castle and the state of the royalty we find in this country. Our country owns an enormous slice of history and tradition and either you get rid of it or you put it on show every now and then....
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