February 6, 1952: God Save the Queen

[franksolich]

Monday, February 6, marks the 60th anniversary of the accession of Elizabeth II, upon the death of her father George VI.  She was 26 years old at the time.

Only two other British monarchs reigned for at least 60 years; George III (1760-1820) and Victoria (1837-1901).

Being a native-born American, I'm naturally a republican (the small "r") as well as a Republican, but H.M. the Queen has always been a source of fascination and awe for me, "awe" in the sense of what she represents, the most impressive people ever to be in this world (although their "quality" has deteriorated considerably since 1945); a race which tried to bring decency and civilization to lesser places, but which like ancient Rome, ultimately failed due to the pressure of overwhelming numbers of barbarians and savages.

But they at least tried, and made a good show of it.

I was aware of H.M. the Queen even as a small child, when I collected coins and stamps, many of which, although from different countries, bore her likeness.

But she was just another faraway foreign personage, until I went to college.  I wanted to major in history, but because I had gotten most of my college credits in American history via examination-for-credit, I had to concentrate upon some other sort of history, ending up doing the history of the British Empire and Commonwealth, during which time my respect and awe for her, and what she represents, grew.

God Save the Queen.

It's fashionable, it's trendy, it's cool, it's hip, it's with it, one supposes, for many for whom H.M. the Queen is part of their heritage, to disparage her "relevance" in their lives, especially among the younger sets in the faraway Dominions Beyond the Seas, but I suggest to such critics that if they toss more than a thousand years of their own heritage overboard, well, they're going to at the same time throw away something that makes they themselves unusual and distinctive.

God Save the Queen.  Long may she reign. 

[jtyangel]

Cheers and thank you, frank. I have birthright to that great history. My mother is a Brit, born and raised as such, and just a toddler when Elizabeth started her reign. My grandparents passed a rich and wonderful history that I fortunately was exposed to over the years. I'm quite proud of my heritage and the amazing culture that is a part of the British way of things and have had some fortunate experiences while visiting my grands during summers to see its richness firsthand. My uncle there now(late 80's) weeps for where his country is now and shares your sentiments of its decline. God save the queen indeed.


As an aside we had a very traditional dinner tonight instead of superbowl fare: Roast, roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, imported gravy, carrots, and green beans. We also had one Christmas pudding left and a package of Bird's custard which we had for dessert. It was a good evening. 

[CG6468]

God save not only the queen, but the entire country.

[jtyangel]

God save not only the queen, but the entire country.

To hell in a handbasket comes to mind; agreed. Like I said my aged uncle weeps.

[CG6468]

To hell in a handbasket comes to mind; agreed. Like I said my aged uncle weeps.

I don't know the country could be so stupid, and the rest of Europe is following suit.

[jtyangel]

I don't know the country could be so stupid, and the rest of Europe is following suit.

I don't think our land is much smarter to be honest. Every civilized society seems very wrapped up in its own decadence...the fall of Rome comes to mind, particularly where the US is concerned. When the culture fundamentally changes I think the only thing that saves a country is rebirth. Sadly, that seems to be history's lesson too

[CG6468]

I don't think our land is much smarter to be honest. Every civilized society seems very wrapped up in its own decadence...the fall of Rome comes to mind, particularly where the US is concerned. When the culture fundamentally changes I think the only thing that saves a country is rebirth. Sadly, that seems to be history's lesson too

I think (and hope) that the sane citizens of the US have reached the end point of the muzzie crap, and that they will stand and deliver an asskicking.

[Eupher]

I don't think our land is much smarter to be honest. Every civilized society seems very wrapped up in its own decadence...the fall of Rome comes to mind, particularly where the US is concerned. When the culture fundamentally changes I think the only thing that saves a country is rebirth. Sadly, that seems to be history's lesson too

Agreed. While it's just a tad off-thread, I'm currently reading a book entitled "How the Irish Saved Civilization" by Thomas Cahill (available on Amazon, for those interested).

This book chronicles and details how the Romans fell, why they fell, and draw more than a few parallels to our own civilization. When you've got freak shows of the type that can really only be acknowledged with disgust that pass as "expressive" or "progressive" or even "self-fulfilling," well, I ain't too sure about our prospects in the grand order of things....

[jtyangel]

Agreed. While it's just a tad off-thread, I'm currently reading a book entitled "How the Irish Saved Civilization" by Thomas Cahill (available on Amazon, for those interested).

This book chronicles and details how the Romans fell, why they fell, and draw more than a few parallels to our own civilization. When you've got freak shows of the type that can really only be acknowledged with disgust that pass as "expressive" or "progressive" or even "self-fulfilling," well, I ain't too sure about our prospects in the grand order of things....

Going to make a note of that one, Euph. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Eupher]

Going to make a note of that one, Euph. Thanks for the suggestion.

I neglected to mention that Cahill also talks about, you guessed it, how the Irish saved civilization. I haven't gotten to that part yet, but Mrs E tells me it's very complimentary of the Irish.

And yes, my great-grandfather emigrated to Canada from Ireland as a youngster. He eventually hooked up with  my great-grandmother, who was also from Ireland.

Me Irish eyes are smilin', begorrah!   

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

I thought this was another Andy Stephenson thread.

[franksolich]

I thought this was another Andy Stephenson thread.

Oh now, no way.  This is serious business, sir.  God Save the Queen; long may she reign.

By the way, I once had a recording of the coronation ceremony of George VI in May 1937 (a lot of good it did me, though).  Since I did have some influence over the roommates when I was in college, they willingly listened to it, and more than just once.  British history wasn't their cup of tea, but because I thought they should know about it, they learned about it.

They of course could hear the recording, and explained it to me as they listened.

It's been years and years and years now, but I still remember how awed they were at the climax of the ceremony, when the Archbishop of Canterbury intoned, "George VI, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the British Dominions Beyond the Seas, King; Emperor of India; Defender of the Faith."

They insisted it was powerful, the way it was uttered, as if coming from somewhere from the depths of history.

I really doubt a recording could be found, but sometimes I wonder if perhaps it is available on the internet, the 1937 ceremony.  It was fully recorded for radio at the time, and then shortly thereafter records of it were sold.

[CG6468]

Maybe, perhaps, possibly, this to what you refer.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF8q45vwf-0&feature=related[/youtube]

[thundley4]

Maybe, perhaps, possibly, this to what you refer.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF8q45vwf-0&feature=related[/youtube]

There is closed captioning available for this on youtube.

[franksolich]

Maybe, perhaps, possibly, this to what you refer.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF8q45vwf-0&feature=related[/youtube]

I'm happy to look at it--of course!--but no, I meant the real coronation ceremony.

I always thought it impressive that a couple of guys, with no particular interest in British history, even thirty years after listening to it (this was at a "reunion" of ourselves in 2010), could still recall the way the title was spoken by the Archbishop of Canterbury, every word of it.  It must have been awesome, if they could do that.

[thundley4]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-vlrXBqGw8[/youtube]

George VI Heartfelt Coronation Speech and Procession, 1937 [HD]. George VI's coronation took place on 12 May 1937. This was the same date intended for his brother Edward's coronation. George was a reluctant King. His speech impediment meant he was very uncomfortable speaking in public. You can hear he takes his time over speaking.

[DixieBelle]

God Save The Queen!

I love Her Majesty. I just finished this book. http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Queen-Life-Modern-Monarch/dp/1400067898

I was actually kind of sad when I finished it.

[Eupher]

Queen Elizabeth does have her detractors.

She was not seen very favorably by the masses when Diana died. She was seen as cold, distant, and aloof. Of course, if the masses were trying to throw me out of my job, I might be cold, distant and aloof too.

There are those who think the monarchy is an ancient and irrelevant institution and should be disposed of. There is some substance to that as the monarchy has very little actual political influence.

She and her family are figureheads. They own a helluva lot of property and are rich beyond description, but other than maintain the status quo and tradition, I'm not sure they actually accomplish a great deal.

But I'd be the first to say that I don't know all that they do -- but the perception for many is they don't do a helluva lot but consume resources.

Meh. I don't care either way. I think it's pretty clear that Elizabeth is headed for the distinction of longest-serving monarch in British history, and to that all I can say is, "You go, girl!"

[franksolich]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-vlrXBqGw8[/youtube]

Okay, I went there and watched the film. 

It stuck me as being sort of jerky--I've seen Pathe news-reels from the 1930s, and I recall them being of better quality than this.  Is this a youtube thing, or is it my computer, or is it actually the way the film is?

It runs more like motion pictures ran circa 1918-1919, being hand-cranked and all that.

I went to the link to look at other youtubes of other royal events.  The recent ones, the ones in color, came across as muddy and blurred.  Is this a youtube thing, or is it my computer, or is it actually the way the film is?

[thundley4]

The film was somewhat jerky and reminded me of some of the silent films from early Hollywood.

[CG6468]

Okay, I went there and watched the film. 

It stuck me as being sort of jerky--I've seen Pathe news-reels from the 1930s, and I recall them being of better quality than this.  Is this a youtube thing, or is it my computer, or is it actually the way the film is?

It runs more like motion pictures ran circa 1918-1919, being hand-cranked and all that.

I went to the link to look at other youtubes of other royal events.  The recent ones, the ones in color, came across as muddy and blurred.  Is this a youtube thing, or is it my computer, or is it actually the way the film is?

I have no idea, Frank. I just posted it, that's all.

[Akubra]

She and her family are figureheads. They own a helluva lot of property and are rich beyond description, but other than maintain the status quo and tradition, I'm not sure they actually accomplish a great deal.

But I'd be the first to say that I don't know all that they do -- but the perception for many is they don't do a helluva lot but consume resources.

Many of the Commonwealth countries have Betty Windsor (aka QEII) as queen and she and her family do indeed contribute a lot, for example:

Having a King or Queen means we can have the image of real live people on our currency, stamps and of course hanging in the local post office.

The Royal Family  provide a very useful service opening hospitals, universities and childrens' play areas, they are also good at pinning on medals and sometimes the Queen gets busy dubbing folks.

The Royal Family provide a never ending soap opera for the entertainment of the masses.

[vesta111]

Many of the Commonwealth countries have Betty Windsor (aka QEII) as queen and she and her family do indeed contribute a lot, for example:

Having a King or Queen means we can have the image of real live people on our currency, stamps and of course hanging in the local post office.

The Royal Family  provide a very useful service opening hospitals, universities and childrens' play areas, they are also good at pinning on medals and sometimes the Queen gets busy dubbing folks.

The Royal Family provide a never ending soap opera for the entertainment of the masses.

Unfortunately humans NEED leaders, and Kings, Queens and down the line have been a major part of humanity.

People go gaga over those that that claim to be of royal heritage, WHY, most come from disposed family's and have to live on their tital-------Zaza Gabores husband, is a grand example.

Interesting that the Royalty of England has had such scoundrels and such Great leaders.  True blue everyday folks that will willingly give up the throne for love, or kill to get it.

Fascinating people, the pomp and circumstances, the rules of the court, the pageantry of the ceremony's, the  lives others lead that few others ever get to see or be part of.

The Royalty has been forever a place for special people, us underlings can only guess at.   Fortunately for most they never had to live under the rules and regulations of a Royal, poor Diana found that out .

English royalty has kept tradition alive, the people may complain about taxes but when the Royal horse drawn carrage, the horse back Nights of the Guard escort it, they cheer as hundreds of years of tradition pass by.

England lives only by the Traditions of hundreds of years ago, take any of these away and England will fall, the Country that the sun never set on.

The Queen has little power except to advise and represent her country most every day, hell of a job for a woman her age, but she does it .   

Her Mum and dad did the unexpected in WW2   They stayed with their people in London when the city was being bombed, sent their kids to safety and stayed with their people as London was burned.    They did not leave their people to their fate, they stood with them to live or die with their people-------No boogieing out to a safe place, these people were LEADERS.

I have great respect for the Crown, true we did have to beat them up a time or two, but they have been our best friend and we to them, give or take a few skirmishes  for the last 120 years or so.

Only thing holding England together today is the tradition of the Crown, take that away and England will fall.

[Akubra]

A royal sovereign does perform a very useful service and that as a non-political head of state they provide a stabilising influence over political matters. That is perhaps why 16 (?) Commonwealth countries  have Queen Elizabeth as monarch and head of state.