Thursday , March 28 2024

From King Alfred to Queen Elizabeth II, the courage of the Monarchy which developed history

In the past weeks, the political situation within the UK continued to intensify into an ocean of significant uncertainty as never seen before due to the pure self-serving approach of the left. 

In the past weeks we have seen the Conservative Government led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson labelled as undemocratic when in fact it has been the Left who have committed the real violations against democracy by refusing a General election while attempting to overturn the democratic vote to leave the EU. 

In essence the very fabric by which the United Kingdom has been built upon and one of its greatest assets, the Westminster Parliamentary system has been thrown into disrepute by the left. 

One of the most unfortunate attacks that has been spewed from the left has been the attack on her Majesty. It is utter shameful, reckless, unbecoming, unpatriotic and abhorrent how some individuals were willing to degrade the Monarchy when the decision to prorogue Parliament was made. 

With Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party and making strides for Number 10, these attacks always bring on some form of concern as it relates to the survival of the greatest Political Institution in the world, the Monarchy. 

It is important to note that Jeremy Corbyn would have seconded Tony Benn’s 1991 Commonwealth of Britain Bill which proposed to abolition of both the Monarchy and Church of England. 

Today with many of the once pivotal values being disregarded it is important that we comprehend the significance of the Monarchy and the role it has played in the development not only within the UK but the entire world. 

The British Monarchy is different to others as for hundreds of years it has operated as a Constitutional Monarchy. However what is even more profound is the fact that for hundreds of years the creation, sustenance, protection and success of England depended on the bravery of the Monarchy. 

Hundreds of years ago it was the great King Alfred of Wessex (871 to 886) who fought off the Viking Invasions with a significant victory in the Battle of Edington to ensure that the Anglo Saxon way of life and the early concept of England could prosper. 

The courage of Alfred and so many Kings as well as Queens have clearly demonstrated that the Monarchy has always been rooted in the qualities of courage and defence of its people. 

Today as millions practice their Christian faith we could look as far back as 597 when King Æthelberht, King of Kent from 589 to around 616 was converted to Christianity by a mission sent by Pope Gregory I. Subsequent to this churches were established, and wider-scale conversion to Christianity began in the kingdom. He provided the new church with land in Canterbury, thus establishing one of the foundation stones of what ultimately became the Anglican Church. 

One of the greatest asset within the United Kingdom has been its Parliamentary System, a system of pure political beauty known as Westminster which has been replicated or followed in many other jurisdictions. Despite the conundrum it has presently fund itself in, it is a system which has made the United Kingdom a nation of power. 

To really appreciate the birth of Parliament we must go back to 1275 when the first Parliament met under the innovative leadership of King Edward I. Edward I has been credited with the creation of a real representative institution as he commanded each shire and town to send two representatives to his Parliament. These “commoners” as they would have been referred to, formed the first House of Commons. 

“Defender of the Faith” has been one of the subsidiary titles of the English and later British monarchs since it was granted on 11 October 1521 by Pope Leo X to King Henry VIII.

The title was conferred in recognition of Henry’s book Assertio Septem Sacramentorum (Defense of the Seven Sacraments), which defended the sacramental nature of marriage and the supremacy of the Pope. This was also known as the “Henrician Affirmation” and was seen as an important opposition to the early stages of the Protestant Reformation, especially the ideas of Martin Luther. Even though Henry broke with Rome, it shows the Pivotal role Henry played in the Church before he formed the Church of England. 

We see that even today the work of the Monarch benefits millions around the world as millions of Christians utilise the King James Version of the Bible. The King James Bible was published in 1611 under the sponsorship of James I.

Another Monarchy who played a significant role has been Queen Victoria who took the throne at age 18 in 1837. Her rule oversaw a period of industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military change within the United Kingdom, and was marked by a great expansion of the British Empire. 

Through Victoria’s reign, the gradual establishment of a modern constitutional monarchy in Britain continued. Reforms of the voting system increased the power of the House of Commons. As Victoria’s monarchy became more symbolic than political, it placed a strong emphasis on morality and family values.

One of Victoria’s best qualities was that of her kindness. In 1845 Ireland suffered the Great Famine which killed over a million individuals. Queen Victoria was highly troubled by the effects of the famine. She decided to donate, from her own pocket, an amount of £2000 to help victims of the famine. Her donation was the biggest among the rest. Records show that she even pressed Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel and his Government to intervene in the crisis which would have subsequently led to the repeal of the Corn Laws. 

At present we have Queen Elizabeth II who became the longest serving Monarch in 2015 when she surpassed her Great Grandmother. Queen Elizabeth must be known be appreciated for her strength and charisma. Like Queen Victoria, she was thrown into the highest form of leadership at a young age. However, they both proved to be a Monarchies that have inspired many women for the resilience which they have showed. 

In essence we can truly say that the Monarchy has never been an establishment which has just existed over the people as the left try to portray. 

The Monarchy in its earliest times has fought for the very creation and protection of society. The Monarchy has contributed and created some of the very institutions which benefit not only the United Kingdom but the world.

Today as many practice the Christian faith we must give credit to the various Monarchs like King James who sought to lay a foundation for Christianity to prosper.  

In essence, many aspects of life which the British people and many others around the world enjoy today has been somehow influenced by the Monarchy.

From Parliamentary democracy to the representative system, the Monarch has played its role.

The Monarchy in its earliest years has contributed to the foundations of world development which we have manged to refine as well as define as we have moved along. 

The Monarchy is an institution that has sought to provide a balance to the Political arena by reminding leadership on the values which must be undertaken as Victoria did with the Great Famine. 

The Monarchy has provided the extra layer of hope above the Political system whereby citizens know that there is someone overlooking Governments while Government know that they cannot be a power unto themselves. 

The Monarchy reminds many of the growth of society and provides the historical moorings which enriches culture as well as self-pride. 

The British Monarchy has played a massive role in the story we call World History. It has made mistakes but such is the foundation of human existence. One thing remains clear, the Monarchy is an institution which must be protected. 

Today we seldom see the achievements of Monarchs from other nations impacting the world however the contributions of English Monarchs from hundreds of years before continue to play a dynamic role in the lives of many.

This institution maybe limited in its present power but its history is a great one which must be preserved and its longevity must be sustained. 

May God bless the Monarchy 

God Save the Queen

About Nicholas Morris

Nicholas Morris is the Youth Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. Nicholas Morris has served as the Nation's Commonwealth Youth Ambassador between the period 2011-2015 as well as the UN Youth Rep. between the period of 2013 -2015 having represented the nation in Sri Lanka, Dubai, Australia, UK Nicholas Morris has been actively involved in the local Politics of Trinidad and Tobago as he served as the Chairman of the United National Congress Youth Arm during the party's tenure in Government (2010-2015) and now serves as the International Affairs Officer of the United National Congress. Nicholas Morris is currently the Parliamentary Adviser to the Opposition Chief Whip of Trinidad and Tobago . He became the Youngest Advsior to a Cabinet Minister when he was appointed as Adviser to the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago in 2013 (2013-2014). In 2011 became one of the Youngest Directors of a State Company when he was appointed as Director of the Youth Training Employment Partnership Program Limited (YTEPP LTD)(2011-2017) Nicholas Morris is the grandson of a Welsh World War Veteran (Wilfred Morris) and has written many articles within the local media on the importance of British values, British Development , Impact of the UK on World Development and has been featured in the UK newspapers - Dailymail UK for his article "Thank you Britain" He has formed the movement TT Conservatives to spread the Conservative values within Trinidad and Tobago.

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2 comments

  1. I have always been vaguely upset that the Sovereign has not intervened on this matter of sovereignty. If the UK is forced to Remain in the EU Westminster will become a regional Council within 20 years and there really will be no role for a Sovereign. Except as a tourist attraction.

  2. Simon Neville

    Up to a point, Lord Copper …

    The origins of Parliament are a little more nuanced than the above account will allow.

    A list of monarchs including Diarmat MacMurrough, Mary Queen of Scots, Henry VI, George IV (who, from 1820 / Ruled ten years, and that was plenty), and Edward VIII, without venturing the other side of the Channel, provides ample evidence that the above panegyric to the institution of monarchy cannot go unqualified.