The Rights of the Baron of the Cinque Ports to Attend Coronations.
Having dealt with the history of the Cinque' Ports from the earliest recorded times to the period when their services became less urgent, and until they were dispensed with altogether, their attendances at Coronations of the Sovereigns was a privilege greatly coveted, and in earlier times of which we have records was generally allotted to the highest in authority or social position in the Ports, Members of Parliament, or Mayors. Quaint accounts of the Coronation proceedings are related in the "Collier Letters."
Those representing Hastings and were Canopy-Bearers at the Coronation of George II. and Queen Caroline (1727) were - Over the King :- Sir William Ashburnham, of Broomham, M.P. ; Thomas Pelham, Esquire, M.P., of Stanmer ; and Edward Dyne, Esquire (Mayor 1726-7). Over the Queen : The Hon. Thomas Townsend, Esquire, M.P. ; James Pelham, Esquire, M.P. (M.P., 1741) ; and John Collier, Esquire. The attendance of these Baron of the Cinque Ports was the occasion of the presentation of the large silver Punch Bowl to the Corporation, made from their shares of the silver from their canopies and now in the Hastings Museum. At the Coronation of George III. and Queen Charlotte, 1761, the Canopy Bearers were Over the King : Edward Milward, Esquire (Mayor) ; Sir William Ashburnham, M.P. ; and James Pelham, Esquire. Over the Queen : Rose Fuller, Esquire ; Luke Spencer Esquire ; and Richard Ridout, Esquire.
These were elected by the Mayer, Jurats, and Commonalty at Common Hall. Those elected provided their own robes, besides "a handsome treat given at the time of their election of twenty guineas." The Barons, for reasons I am unable to state, did not attend the Coronations of either William IV. or Queen Victoria. Their claim, however, was made for their attendance at the Coronation of King Edward VII. and Queen Alexandra, when the good offices of the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl Marshall, supported by Lord George Hamilton, were sought. A meeting assembled in Court of Brotherhood and Guestling to draw up their claim, which had been carefully prepared by Mr. Inderwick, K.C., and Sir Wollaston Knocker. This meeting took place at the Premier Cinque Port of Hastings, and the following is a copy presented to the Court of Claims, when their Petition was graciously granted.
"To the Right Honourable the Commissioners of our Lord King Edward VII., appointed to receive, hear, and determine the petitions and claims of all persons concerning services to be done or performed by. then at the ensuing Coronation of their Majesties. -
