Project Canterbury

EDWARD R. and I.

Edward the Seventh, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, to –

Our right trusty and well-beloved Councillor Sir Michael Edward Hicks-Beach, Baronet, (Chairman);

The Most Reverend Father in God our right trusty and right entirely beloved Councillor Randall Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan;

Our right trusty and entirely beloved Cousin William George Spencer Scott, Marquess of Northampton;

The Right Reverend Father in God Francis, Bishop of Oxford;

Our right trusty and well-beloved Councillors :—

Sir Francis Henry Jeune, Knight Grand Cross of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath, President of the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division of Our High Court of Justice, Judge Advocate-General;

Sir John Henry Kennaway, Baronet, Companion of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath

John Gilbert Talbot, one of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England; and

Our trusty and well-beloved:—

Sir Samuel Hoare, Braonet;

Sir Edward George Clarke, Knight, one of Our Counsel learned in the Law;

Sir Lewis Tonna Dibdin, Knight, one of Our Counsel learned in the Law, Judge of the Provincial Courts of Canterbury and York;

Edgar Charles Sumner Gibson, Doctor in Divinity, Vicar of Leeds;

Thomas Worthley Drury, Bachelor in Divinity, Principal of Ridley Hall, in Our University of Cambridge;

George Walter Prothero, Esquire, Doctor of Laws; and

George Harwood, Esquire.

Greeting!

Whereas We have deemed it expedient that a Commission should forthwith issue to inquire into the alleged prevalence of breaches or neglect of the Law relating to the conduct of Divine Service in the Church of England and to the ornaments and fittings of Churches; and to consider the existing power and procedure applicable to such irregularities and to make such recommendation as may be deemed requisite for dealing with the aforesaid matters:

Now know ye the We, reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability, have authorized and appointed, and do by these Presents authorize and appoint, you, the said Sir Michael Edward Hicks-Beach; Randall Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury; William George Spencer Scott, Marquess of Northampton; Francis, Bishop of Oxford; Sir Francis Henry Jeune; Sir John Henry Kennaway; John Gilbert Talbot; Sir Samuel Hoare; Sir Edward George Clarke; Sir Lewis Tonna Dibdin; Edgar Charles Sumner Gibson; Thomas Wortley Drury; George Walter Prothero; and George Harwood to be Our Commissioners for the purposes of the said inquiry.

And for the better effecting the purposes of this Our Commission, We do by these Presents give and grant unto you, or any five or more of you, full power to call before you such persons as you shall judge likely to afford you any information upon the subject of this Our Commission; and also to call for, have access to and examine, all such books, documents, registers and records as may afford you the fullest information on the subject, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever.

And We do by these Present authorize and empower you, or any five or more of you, to visit and personally inspect such places as you may deem it expedient so to inspect for the more effectual carrying out of the purposes afresaid.

And We do by these Presents will and ordain that this Our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you Our said Commissioners, or any five of you, may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of ever matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment.

And We do further ordain that you, or any five or more of you, have liberty to report your proceedings under this Our Commission from time to time if you shall judge it expedient so to do.

And Our further will and pleasure is that you do, with as little delay as possible, report to Us under your hands and seals, or under the hands and seals of any five or more of you, your opinion upon the matters herein submitted for your consideration.

Given at Our Court at Saint James’s, the Twenty-third day of April, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Four; in the Fourth year of Our Reign.

By His Majesty’s Command,

A. Akers-Douglas.

EDWARD R. and I.

Edward the Seventh, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, To our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Councillor Richard Everard, Baron Alverstone, Knight Grand Cross of Our Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Lord Chief Justice of England. Greeting!

Whereas by Warrant under Our Royal Sign Manual bearing date the Twenty-third Day of April, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Four, We were pleased to appoint Commissioners to consider certain matters in connection with Ecclesiastical Discipline:

And Whereas a vacancy exists in the body of the Commissioners so appointed as aforesaid, owing to the death of Francis Henry, Baron St. Helier:

Now know ye that We, reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability, have authorized and appointed and do by these Presents authorize and appoint you the said Richard Everard, Baron Alvertone, to be our of Our Commissioners for the purpose aforesaid, in the room of the said Francis Henry, Baron St. Helier, deceased.

Given at Our Court at Saint James’s the Twenty-eighth day of April, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Five; in the Fifth year of Our Reign.

By His Majesty's Command.

A. Akers-Douglas.