Published in Windlesora 25 (2009)
© WLHG
Shortly after midnight on Saturday 17 July 1830 two Windsor shoemakers carrying bundles of black cloth were stopped by the police. Giving unsatisfactory explanations when questioned they were sent to the town gaol.
Just before this incident, the coffin of George IV was lowered into the Royal Vault in St George’s Chapel, following a ‘splendid, though mournful ceremonial of the Royal funeral’.
The King had been living in Royal Lodge. Ailing for months he was rarely seen in public. He died on 26 June 1830 with a reputation so low that the Times commented ‘there never was an individual less regretted by his fellow creatures’. But in Windsor the King had endeared himself to the townsfolk. He had spent time, energy and money on his interests: improving the Castle and planning and rebuilding Royal and Cumberland Lodges. He was interested in the townsfolk too, giving employment to workers, craftsmen, woodmen and huntsmen. In one instance he admonished Windsor butchers for charging high prices.
The Windsor and Eton Express covered the Lying-in-State and funeral in detail, the issues for 10 and 17 July bearing heavy black leading around the text of each page. The editor paid tribute to the ‘Prince who had raised the Empire to the highest pinnacles of glory’ adding that ‘joyful effusions were inappropriate when a beloved monarch is entombed.’ The King’s death and his brother’s succession were announced by the Mayor of Windsor to a silent crowd with a lack of ceremonial and this earned a complaint from the Times. In fact the Times showed disapproval of the Lying-in-State which took place in the State Apartments of the Castle where many visitors were unable to see the coffin on view in the King’s Drawing Room. The rush of ticket-holders and the general atmosphere of loud conversation in St George’s Chapel also received adverse comments.
As the press was admitted to the funeral the local reporting gives a vivid impression of the entire occasion with details of all the preparations.
A large number of strangers came down to Windsor, so additional coaches were run from London and the fares were increased. Accommodation in the town was scarce and very dear.
Visitors came to the Lying in State between 10am and 4pm on the bright summer days of Wednesday and Thursday 14 and 15 July. They filed decorously into the King’s Drawing Room past the Royal Horse Guards who lined the way. The room was lined with black cloth of the finest woof* and from the room a covered way had been installed leadin g to the south porch of St. George’s Chapel, which was also draped. 10,000 yards of material was used altogether.
Two coffins were commissioned, one of lead made by Mr Holroyd, the King’s plumber, and the other of Spanish mahogany made by Mr Warren, the King’s carpenter. This was the State Coffin, lined with quilted, padded white satin made by Messrs. Banting the King’s upholsterers. The lead coffin was placed inside the State Coffin which was covered with a pall of Royal blue Genoa velvet. The Royal Arms and Garter Star, the inscription and the heraldic shield and motto were worked in gold and silver upon the pall.
On the day of the funeral guns in the Great Park were fired at five minute intervals until 8.30pm. Royal funerals were held at night and the 1,000 ticket holders were admitted to the Chapel before the Procession left the Castle at 8.30pm. This was signalled by guns firing at one minute intervals.
Yeomen of the Guard acted as escorts as the coffin on wheels moved slowly along the route to the Chapel. Cords around their arms attached to cords on the coffin gave an impression of the Yeomen bearing its weight as it glided on its way. Guards lined the route and the King’s Band played the Dead March. As daylight faded, flambeaux were lit, their light reflecting upon the armour and weapons. People watching from the Castle windows, including the new Queen Adelaide, were illuminated by the light inside and in the Castle Yard. Eight thousand watched as State banners floated over the drapery. The brilliant colours of the uniforms contrasted with the solemnity. ‘This was a moment which would never be forgotten by any who were present.’
At 9.40pm the Procession entered the Choir, draped in black as were the Knight’s stalls. Only the Royal stall, draped in purple, provided relieving colour. The murmur from spectators in the nave and organ loft ceased and the funeral service began. This was not without incident as the heat caused one person to faint, and Sir Astley Cooper and a page were injured when a piece of wood from a choir stall fell upon them.
By 10.55pm the Ceremony was over and while the organ played the Dead March the procession moved to the Royal Vault, the pall was removed and the coffin lowered into its tomb. The new King William IV sat beside the vault and was seen chatting to his brothers. During the service he had appeared to be deeply affected, seated at the head of the coffin before the High Altar.
The guns had ceased firing and soon after midnight the vault was covered by two slabs of Portland Stone and the marble pavement. After the ceremony the people of Windsor were admitted to the Chapel where the draperies remained until Sunday 18 July.
‘Another prince of the House of Brunswick has been consigned to the tomb of his fathers!‘ with ‘obsequies …. grand and impressive beyond all former recollections of such solemnities’ wrote the editor of the Windsor and Eton Express on 17 July 1830.
As for those miscreants apprehended with their bundles of black cloth soon after the Funeral, they were Charles Dykes, master shoemaker who carried 30 yards and John Seward journeyman shoemaker who carried 20 yards. When stopped by the police they refused to say how they had acquired the cloth, but it had obviously come from the platform bearing the King’s coffin. Asked to defend themselves by the Windsor Magistrates the men pleaded ignorance of wrong-doing as they assumed the cloth to be public property after the funeral. It had been customary on a previous occasion when ‘trappings and suits of woe’ had been removed by the people.
The excuse saved them from trial and prison, together with their denial of wrong-doing and good character references provided by witnesses. They were discharged and ordered to restore the cloth to the proper authorities.
What did these two respectable cobblers plan to do with the cloth? One can only speculate as to its potential use as lining material for boots and shoes, or its sale as souvenirs. However 50 yards seems an excessive amount of material which would fetch a goodly sum if sold on the open market. Subsequent issues of the local newspaper carry advertisements from local tradesmen announcing the sale of illuminations, wood scaffolding, poles etc, all used during the funeral arrangements of the late King – all no doubt gainfully acquired. So it is probable that the shoemakers were looking, not for a fortune, but certainly substantial financial gain.
Sonia Sayed
* Woof: a woven fabric especially of a particular texture.
References
Windsor & Eton Express Vol 17 Nos 938.939.940 10, 17, 24 July 1830.
The Times 15 July 1830.
Moreshead, Sir O., George IV and the Royal Lodge (1965).
Windsor Local History Group 