THE QUEEN SIGNS THE 'DECLARATION AGAINST POPERY' [VICTORIA (1819-1901, Queen of Great Britain)]

QUILL PEN used by Queen Victoria to sign her 'Declaration against Popery' at the opening of the first new Parliament following her Accession, 14 inches between its tips, with its neat original slit, three-eighths of an inch long, to take the ink, the barbs trimmed close for ease of handling, attested on a strip of paper in his bold hand by F. Percival who was present, the attestation 2" x 15¼", [House of Lords, 20th November] the attestation rather worn, the pen's writing end has a narrow split without loss about 2 inches long, over half of it closed, parallel to the slit for the ink, otherwise in good condition.

While the Coronation Oath, taken during the Coronation ceremony, includes maintaining "the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law", the "Declaration against Transubstantiation" and other Roman Catholic doctrines, popularly known as the "Declaration against Popery" or the "Declaration of the Sovereign", was the first action of the Monarch on opening their first new parliament. It preceded even the Royal Speech or "Address from the Throne".
Queen Victoria's accession on 20th June 1837, under the then rules, necessitated a General Election (July-August). The new Parliament assembled on 15th November 1837 for swearing-in and other preliminary business. Then on the 20th the Queen met both Houses in the Lords, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Cottenham, administered the oath prescribed by the Statute of 1 William & Mary, "and Her Majesty did make, subscribe and audibly repeat the said Declaration" (Lords Journals).
With a later typed note "this pen was given to Great Grandfather Percival who was present at the time".
It is remarkable that, following the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829, the Sovereign was practically the only person required to make such a declaration. The old form was used up to and including Edward VII's accession. In 1910 George V was relieved of the necessity by a new form, declaring simply that he was "a faithful Protestant" and would "secure the Protestant Succession".

Item Date:  1837

Stock No:  55675      £4750

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire