+Source.+--_Roger of Wendover_, vol. ii., pp. 379-380. (Bohn's
Libraries.)
After the death of King John, on the eve of the day of the Apostles
Simon and Jude, an assembly was convened at Gloucester in the presence
of Gualo, the legate of the Apostolic See, at which there were present
Peter, Bishop of Winchester, Silvester, Bishop of Worcester, Ralph, Earl
of Chester, William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, William, Earl of Ferrers,
John Marshal, and Philip d'Albiney, with abbots, priors, and a great
number of others, to arrange for the coronation of Henry, the eldest son
of King John. On the day following, all preparations for the coronation
having been made, the legate, in company with the Bishops and nobles
aforesaid, conducted the King in solemn procession to the conventual
church to be crowned; and there, standing before the great altar, in the
presence of the clergy and people, he swore on the Holy Gospels and
other reliques of the saints that he would observe honour, peace, and
reverence towards God and Holy Church and its ordained ministers all the
days of his life; he also swore that he would show strict justice to the
people entrusted to his care, and would abolish all bad laws and
customs, if there were any in the kingdom, and would observe those that
were good, and cause them to be observed by all. He then did homage to
the Holy Church of Rome and to Pope Innocent for the kingdoms of England
and Ireland, and swore that, as long as he held these kingdoms, he would
faithfully pay the thousand marks which his father had given to the
Roman Church. After this, Peter, Bishop of Winchester, placed the crown
on his head, and anointed him King with the usual ceremonies of prayer
and chanting observed at coronations. After mass had been performed, the
Bishops and knights above-mentioned clothed the King in royal robes, and
conducted him to table, where they all took their seats according to
their rank, and feasted amidst mirth and rejoicing. On the following
day, the King received the homage and fealty of all the Bishops, Earls,
and others present, and they all promised faithful allegiance to him.
Henry was crowned in the tenth year of his age, on the day of the
Apostles Simon and Jude, which was the 28th day of the month of October.