title: Ordo ad regem benedicendum

source_edition: Migne, Patrologia Latina, vol. 138, coll. 1111C–1118C

source_text:
## INCIPIT ORDO AD REGEM BENEDICENDUM, QUANDO NOVUS A CLERO ET POPULO SUBLIMATUR IN REGNUM.[n: (Ex cod. Vindobon. theol. 277. saec. XII vel XIII.)]

[1111C]

*Primo exeunte illo de thalamo unus episcoporum imponat orationem.* Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui famulum tuum regni fastigio dignatus es sublimare; tribue quaesumus ei, ut in hujus saeculi cursu cunctorum in commune salutem disponat, quatenus a tuae veritatis tramite non recedat. Per.

*Postea suscipiant illum duo episcopi dextra levaque ejus honorifice parati habentes Sanctorum reliquias collo pendentes, caeteri autem phaphones sint casulis adornati praecedente sancto evangelio, et duabus crucibus cum incenso boni odoris ducant illum ad [1111D] ecclesiam canentes antiphonam istam altis clamoribus* Ecce mitto Angelum. *Cum versu,* Israel si me audieris. *Ad ostium ecclesiae clerus subsistat, et archiepiscopus imponat orationem subsequentem.* Deus qui scis genus humanum nulla virtute posse subsistere, concede propitius, ut famulus tuus, quem populo tuo voluisti preferri, ita tuo fulciatur adjutorio quatenus quibus potuit praeesse, valeat prodesse. *Introeuntes autem praecedentes clerici, decantent antiphonam* Domine salvum fac regem. *Usque in introitum chori. Tunc episcopus metropolitanus dicat [1112C] orationem.* Omnipotens sempiterne Deus coelestium terrestriumque moderator, qui famulum tuum ad regni fastigium dignatus es provehere, concede quaesumus, ut cunctis adversitatibus liberatus, et ecclesiasticae pacis dono muniatur, et ad aeternae pacis gaudia, te donante, pervenire mereatur. Per.

*Ibi autem ante chorum designatus princeps pallium et arma deponat, atque inter manus episcoporum perductus in chorum usque ad altaris gradus incedat; cunctoque pavimento tapetibus et palliolis contecto, ibi humiliter totus in cruce prostratus jaceat una cum episcopis et presbyteris hinc inde prostratis, caeteris in choro letaniam breviter psallentibus, id est duodecim apostolos, ac totidem martyres, confessores, et virgines. Et inter caetera inferenda sunt ista, quae [1112D] secuntur.* Ut istum famulum tuum N. in regem eligere digneris. *Te rogamus audi nos.* Ut eum benedicere et sublimare digneris. *Te rog.* Ut eum ad imperii fastigium perducere digneris. *Te rogamus. Sublatus autem princeps ab episcopo metropolitano hoc modo interrogetur*. Vis fidem sanctam a catholicis viris tibi traditam tenere, et operibus justis observare. R\. Volo. Vis sanctis ecclesiis, ecclesiarumque ministris tutor et defensor esse. R\. Volo. Vis regnum tibi a Deo concessum secundum justitiam patrum tuorum regere et defendere. [1113A] R\. Volo. Volo, et in quantum divino fultus adiutorio ac solatio omnium suorum valuero, ita me per omnia fideliter acturum esse promitto. *Deinde ipse domnus metropolitanus affatur populum his verbis.* Vis tali principi ac rectori te subiicere, ipsiusque regnum firmare, firma fide stabilire, atque jussionibus illius obtemperare juxta apostolum: omnis anima potestatibus sublimioribus subdita sit regi quasi praecellenti. R\. Volo. *Tunc ergo a circumstante clero et a populo unanimiter dicatur.* Fiat. Fiat. Amen.

*Postea vero, eo devote inclinato capite dicatur ab uno episcopo.* Benedic Domine hunc regem nostrum, qui regna omnia moderaris a saeculo, et tali eum benedictione glorifica, ut Davidicae teneat sublimitatis [1113B] sceptrum, et glorificatus in ejus protinus recipiatur merito. Da ei Domine tuo spiramine cum mansuetudine ita regere populum sicut Salomonem regnum obtinere pacificum. Tibi semper cum timore sit subditus, tibique militet cum quiete. Sit tuo clypeo protectus cum proceribus, et ubique tua gratia victor existat. Honorifica eum prae cunctis regibus gentium. Felix populis dominetur, et feliciter eum nationes adornent. Vivat inter gentium catervas magnanimus, sit in judiciis aequitatis singularis, locupletet eum praedives dextera, frugiferam obtineat patriam, et ejus liberis tribuas profutura. Praesta ei prolixitatem vitae per tempora, et in diebus ejus oriatur justitia, ac robustum teneat regiminis solium, et cum iocunditate et laetitia aeterno glorietur in regno. Per.

[1113C] *Oratio*.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus creator omnium, imperator angelorum, rex regnantium, Dominusque dominantium, qui Abraham fidelem famulum tuum de hostibus triumphare fecisti, Moysi et Josuae populo praelatis multiplicem victoriam tribuisti, humilemque David puerum tuum regni fastigio sublimasti, et Salomonem sapientiae pacisque ineffabili munere ditasti; respice quaesumus ad preces humilitatis nostrae, et super hunc famulum tuum N. quem supplici devotione in regem elegimus, benedictionum tuarum dona multiplica eumque dextera tuae potentiae semper et ubique circumda, quatinus praedicti Abrahae fidelitate firmatus, Moysi [1113D] mansuetudine fretus, Josue fortitudine munitus, David humilitate exaltatus, Salomonis sapientia decoratus, tibi in omnibus placeat, et per tramitem justitiae in offenso gressu semper incedat, ecclesiamque tuam deinceps cum plebibus sibi annexis ita enutriat, ac doceat, muniat ac instruat, contraque omnes visibiles et invisibiles hostes eidem potenter, regaliterque tuae virtutis regimen administret, et ad verae fidei pacisque concordiam eorum animos te opitulante reformet, ut horum populorum debita subiectione fultus condigno amore glorificatus [1114A] ad paternum decenter solium tua miseratione conscendere mereatur. Tuae ergo protectionis galea munitus, et scuto insuperabili jugiter protectus, armisque coelestibus circumdatus, optabilis victoriae triumphum feliciter capiat, terroremque suae potentiae infidelibus inferat et pacem tibi militantibus laetanter reportet per Dnm nrm qui virtute sanctae crucis tartara destruxit, regnoque diaboli superato ad coelos victor ascendit, in quo omnis potestas, regum consistit victoria, qui est gloria humilium et vita, salusque populorum. Qui tecum.

*Deinde ab altero episcopo haec dicatur oratio.* Deus inenarrabilis auctor mundi, conditor generis humani, gubernator imperii, confirmator regni, qui ex utero fidelis amici tui patriarchae nostri [1114B] Abrahae praeelegisti reges saeculis profuturos tum praesentem regem hunc cum exercitu suo per intercessionem omnium sanctorum uberi benedictione locupletata, et in solium regni firma stabilitate connecte. Visita eum sicut visitasti Moysen in rubo, Jesu Nave in proelio, Gedeon in agro, Samuelem in templo, et illa eum benedictione siderea, ac rore sapientiae tuae perfunde, quam David in psalterio, Salomon filius eius, te remunerante percepit e coelo. Sis ei acies contra inimicos, lorica in adversis, galea in prosperis, patientia in protectione, clypeus eius sempiternus, et praesta, ut gentes illi (illius) teneant fidem, proceres sui habeant pacem, diligant charitatem, abstineant se a cupiditate, loquantur justitiam, custodiant veritatem. Et [1114C] ita populus iste sub eius imperio pullulet coaluus ( *an* coalitus?) benedictione aeternitatis, ut semper maneant tripudiantes in pace victores. Quod ipse praestare dignetur, qui tecum vivit.

*Tunc ab episcopo metropolitano unguantur manus de oleo sanctificato.* Unguantur manus istae de oleo sanctificato, unde fuerunt uncti reges et prophetae, et sicut unxit Samuel David in regem, ut sis benedictus, et constitutus rex in regno isto super populum istum, quem Dominus Deus tuus dedit tibi ad regendum ac gubernandum. Quod ipse praestare. Prospice omnipotens Deus hunc gloriosum regem ill. serenis obtutibus, et sicut benedixisti Abraham, Isaac et Jacob, sicut illum largis benedictionibus spiritualis gratiae cum omni plenitudine tuae potentiae [1114D] irrigare, atque profundere dignare. Tribue ei Domine de rore coeli, et de pinguedine terrae habundantiam frumenti, vini et olei, et omnium frugum per tempora, ut illo regnante sit sanitas corporum in pata (patria), pax inviolata sit in regno, et dignitas gloriosa regalis palatii maximo splendore regiae potestatis oculis omnium fulgeat, luce clarissima clarescat, atque splendore quasi splendidissima fulgore maximo perfusa lumine videatur. Tribue ei omnipotens Deus, ut sit fortissimus protector patriae, et consolator ecclesiarum, atque coenobiorum [1115A] sanctorum maxima cum pietate regalis munificentiae: atque ut sit fortissimus regum, triumphator hostium ad opprimendas rebelles et paganas nationes. Sitque suis inimicis satis terribilis permaxima fortitudine regalis. Optimatibus quoque ac praecelsis, proceribusque ac fidelibus sui regni sit magnificus et amabilis et pius, ut ab omnibus timeatur atque diligatur. Reges quoque de lumbis eius per successiones temporum futurorum egrediantur, regnum hoc totum regere, et post gloriosa atque felicia huius vitae praesentis gaudia sempiterna in perpetua beatitudine habere mereatur. Quod ipse.

*Postea vero a pontifice metropolitano unguantur de oleo sanctificato caput, pectus, et scapulae ambae compages.* Unguo te in regem de oleo sanctificato in [1115B] nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus sancti. Spiritus sancti gratia humilitatis nostrae officio in te descendat copiosa, ut sicut manibus nostris indignis oleo materiali pinguescis exterius oblitus, ita eius invisibili unguine delibutus impinguari merearis interius, eiusque spiritali unctione perfectissime semper imbutus, et illicita declinare tota mente, et spernere discas seu valeas, et utilia animae tuae iugiter cogitare, optare, atque operari queas, auxiliante Dno nro Ihu Xpo, qui cum Patre. *Deinde dicatur oratio.* Deus qui es iustorum gloria, et misericordia peccatorum, qui misisti Filium tuum preciosissimo sanguine suo genus humanum redimere: qui conteris bella, et propugnator es omnium in te sperantium, et sub cuius arbitrio omnium [1115C] regnorum continetur potestas, te humiliter deprecamur, ut praesentem famulum tuum N. in tua misericordia confitentem in praesenti sede regali benedicas, eique propitius adesse digneris, ut qui tua expetit protectione defendi, omnibus sit hostibus fortior. Fac eum Domine beatum esse et victorem de inimicis suis. Corona eum corona iustitiae et pietatis, ut ex tota mente in te credens, tibi deserviat, sanctam tuam Ecclesiam defendat, et sublimet, populumque a te sibi commissum iuste regat. Nullus insidiantibus malis in iniustitiam vertat. Accende Domine cor eius ad amorem gratiae tuae per hoc unctionis oleum, unde unxisti reges et prophetas: quatinus iustitiam diligens per tramitem familiariter iustitiae, populum ducens, post peracta [1115D] a te disposita in regali excellentia annorum curricula pervenire ad aeterna gaudia mereatur. Per.

*Alia.* Deus Dei Filius Iesus Christus Dnus nr qui a Patre oleo exultationis unctus est prae participibus suis, ipse per praesentem sacrae unctionis infusionem Spiritus sancti Paraclyti super caput tuum infundat benedictionem, eandemque usque ad interiora cordis tui penetrare faciat: quatinus hoc visibili et tractabili dono invisibilia percipere, et temporali regno iustis moderaminibus exsecutio [n: ( f. exsecuto, exsecutus)], [1116A] aeternaliter cum eo regnare merearis, qui solus sine peccato rex regum vivit et glorificatur cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus per omnia.

## INCIPIT ORDO AD REGEM BENEDICENDUM, QUANDO NOVUS A CLERO ET POPULO SUBLIMATUR IN REGNUM. (cont.)

*Postea ab episcopis ensem accipiat, et cum ense totum sibi regnum fideliter ad regendum secundum supradicta verba sciat esse demandatum dicente metropolitano pontifice.* Accipe gladium per manus episcoporum licet indignas, vice tamen et auctoritate sanctorum apostolorum consecratas tibi regaliter impositum, nostraeque benedictionis officio in defensionem sanctae Dei Ecclesiae divinitus ordinatum: et esto memor, de quo Psalmista prophetavit dicens: Accingere gladio tuo super femur tuum potentissime, ut in hoc per eundem vim aequitatis exerceas, et molem iniquitatis potenter destruas, et [1116B] sanctam Dei Ecclesiam eiusque fideles propugnes, atque protegas, nec minus sub fide falsos quam christiani nominis hostes execres ac destruas, viduas ac pupillos clementer adiuves ac defendas, desolata restaures, restaurata conserves, ulciscaris iniusta, confirmes bene disposita: quatinus haec in agendo virtutum triumpho gloriosus, institiaeque cultor egregius, cum mundi Salvatore, cuius typum geris in nomine, sine fine merearis regnare. Qui cum Deo.

*Accinctus autem ense similiter ab illis armillas et pallium et annulum accipiat illis dicentibus.* Accipe dignitatis annulum et per hunc in te catholicae fidei cognosce signaculum, quia ut hodie ordinaris caput et princeps regni ac populi, ita perseverabilis auctor, [1116C] ac stabilitor christianitatis et christianae fidei, ut felix in opere, locuples in fide, cum rege regum glorieris, per eum cui est honor, gloria in saecula.

*Postea vero sceptrum et baculum accipiat dicente sibi metropolitano:* Accipe virgam virtutis atque aequitatis, qua intelligas mulcere pios, et terrere reprobos, errantibus viam pandere, lapsis manum porrigere, disperdasque superbos, et releves humiles, et aperiatur tibi ostium Ihs Xps Dns nr, qui de semetipso ait: Ego sum ostium: per me si quis introierit, salvabitur, et ipse, qui est clavis David et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperit et nemo claudit, qui claudit et nemo aperit. Sitque auctor, qui educit vinctum de domo carceris, sedentemque in tenebris [1116D] et umbra mortis, et in omnibus sequi merearis eum, de quo propheta David cecinit, Sedes tua Deus in saeculum saeculi, virga aequitatis, virga regni tui. Et imitando ipsum diligas justitiam, et odio habeas iniquitatem, qui propterea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus ad exemplum illius, quem ante saecula unxerat oleo exultationis prae participibus suis Iesum Christum.

*Postea metropolitanus verenter coronam imponat capiti regis dicendo.* Accipe coronam regni, quae licet ab indignis, episcoporum tamen manibus, capiti [1117A] tuo imponitur, quamque sanctitatis gloriam, et honorem, et opus fortitudinis expresse, signare intelligas, et per hanc participem ministerii nostri non ignores; ita, ut sicut nos in interioribus pastores rectoresque animarum intelligimus, tu quoque in exterioribus verus Dei cultor, strenuusque contra omnes adversitates Ecclesiae Christi defensor, regnique tibi a Deo dati, et per officium nostrae benedictionis in vice apostolorum omniumque sanctorum tuo regimini commisso utilis executor, regnatorque proficuus semper appareas: ut inter gloriosos athletas virtutum gemmis ornatus et praemio sempiternae felicitatis coronatus cum redemtore ac Salvatore Iesu Christo cujus nomen vicemque gestare crederis, sine fine glorieris, qui vivit et imperat [1117B] Deus cum Deo Patre in saecula saeculorum. R\. Amen.

*Et ab eo statim dicatur oratio vel benedictio super eum, quae et tempore synodi dicenda est.* Benedicat tibi Dominus, custodiatque te, et sicut te voluit super populum suum esse regem, ita in praesenti saeculo felicem aeternae felicitatis tribuat esse consortem. R\. Amen. Clerum ac populum, qua sua voluit opitulatione, in tua sanctione congregari, sua dispensatione, et tua administratione per diuturna tempora faciat feliciter gubernari. R\. Amen. Quatinus divinis monitis parentes adversitatibus carentes, bonis omnibus exuberantes, tuo imperio fideli amore obsequentes, et in praesenti saeculo tranquillitate fruantur, et tecum aeternorum civium consortio [1117C] potiri mereatur. Amen. Quod ipse praestare.

*Deinde coronatus honorifice per chorum ducatur de altari ab episcopis usque ad solium, canente clero Responsorium* Desiderium animae. *Deinde dicat sibi metropolitanus.* Sta et retine locum ammodo, quem hucusque paterna successione tenuisti haereditario jure delegatum per auctoritatem Dei omnipotentis, et praesentem traditionem nostram omnium scilicet apostolorum, caeterorumque Dei servorum, et quantum clerum sacris altaribus propinquiorem prospicis tanto ei potiorem in locis congruis honorem impendere memineris: quatinus mediator [1118A] Dei et hominum te mediatorem cleri, et plebis ( *in hoc loco faciat eum sedere domnus metropolitanus dicens* ) in hoc regni solio confirmet, et in regno aeterno secum regnare faciat Ihs Xps Dns nr rex regum et Dominus dominantium. Qui cum Deo Patre.

*Tunc dei illis osculum pacis. Cunctus autem clericorum coetus illo rectore gaudens sonantibus hymnis alta voce concinat hunc hymnum* Te Deum laudamus. *Tunc episcopus metropolitanus missam celebret plena processione.* Deus qui miro ordine universa disponis, et ineffabiliter gubernas, praesta quaesumus, ut famulus tuus N. haec in huius saeculi cursu implenda decernat, unde tibi in perpetuum placere praevaleat. Per.

[1118B] *Secretum.*

Concede quaesumus omnipotens Deus his salutaribus sacrificiis placatus, ut famulus tuus N. ad peragendum regalis dignitatis officium inveniatur semper indoneus, et coelesti patriae reddatur acceptus. Per.

*Benedictio episcopalis.*

Omnipotens Deus, qui te populi sui voluit esse rectorem ipse te coelesti benedictione sanctificans aeterni regni faciat esse consortem.

*Oratio.* Concedatque tibi contra omnes fidei christianae hostes visibiles et invisibiles victoriam triumphalem, et pacis atque quietis ecclesiasticae felicissimum te sibi longe lateque fundatorem. Amen. Quatinus te gubernacula regni tenente populus [1118C] sibi subiectus christianae religionis iura custodiens undique tutus pace tranquilla perfruatur, et te in concilio beatorum collocato aeterna felicitate te ibidem tecum pariter gaudere mereatur. Quod ipse praestare.

*Ad Complendum.* Haec Domine salutaris sacrificii perceptio famuli tui N. peccatorum maculas diluat, ut ad regendum secundum tuam voluntatem populum idoneum illum reddat; ut hoc salutari mysterio contra visibiles et invisibiles hostes reddatur invictus per quod mundus divina dispositione redemtus. Per.

english:
## HERE BEGINS THE ORDER FOR BLESSING THE KING, WHEN A NEW ONE IS RAISED BY THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE INTO THE KINGSHIP.[n: (Ex cod. Vindobon. theol. 277. saec. XII vel XIII.)]

[1111C]

*First, as he comes forth from the chamber, let one of the bishops intone the oration.* Almighty everlasting God, who hast deigned to raise thy servant to the summit of the kingdom; grant to him, we beseech, that in the course of this age he may order the salvation of all in common, so that he may not withdraw from the path of thy truth. Through.

*Afterward let two bishops receive him, at his right and his left, honorably vested, having relics of the Saints hanging at the neck; but let the rest, the [sic: phaphones], be adorned with chasubles; and, the holy gospel going before, and with two crosses, with incense of good odor, let them lead him to the [1111D] church, singing this antiphon with loud cries:* Behold, I send an Angel. *With the verse,* Israel, if thou shalt hear me. *At the door of the church let the clergy halt, and let the archbishop intone the following oration.* O God, who knowest that the human race can by no virtue subsist, grant propitiously that thy servant, whom thou hast willed to be set before thy people, may so be stayed by thy help, that he may avail to profit those over whom he has been able to be set. *And as they enter, let the clerics going before chant the antiphon* O Lord, save the king. *As far as the entry of the choir. Then let the metropolitan bishop say the [1112C] oration.* Almighty everlasting God, governor of things heavenly and earthly, who hast deigned to advance thy servant to the summit of the kingdom, grant, we beseech, that, freed from all adversities, he may both be fortified with the gift of ecclesiastical peace, and, by thy giving, merit to attain to the joys of eternal peace. Through.

*But there, before the choir, let the prince designate lay down his mantle and arms, and, led between the hands of the bishops into the choir, let him advance as far as the steps of the altar; and, the whole pavement being covered with carpets and small palls, let him there lie humbly, prostrated whole in a cross, together with the bishops and priests prostrated on either side, while the rest in the choir sing the litany briefly, that is, twelve apostles, and as many martyrs, confessors, and virgins. And among the rest are to be brought in these things which [1112D] follow.* That thou wouldst deign to choose this thy servant N. as king. *We beseech thee, hear us.* That thou wouldst deign to bless and to raise him. *Te rog.* That thou wouldst deign to lead him to the summit of empire. *We beseech thee. And let the prince, being lifted up, be questioned by the metropolitan bishop in this manner*. Wilt thou hold the holy faith handed down to thee by catholic men, and observe it with just works. R. I will. Wilt thou be guardian and defender to the holy churches and to the ministers of the churches. R. I will. Wilt thou rule and defend the kingdom granted to thee by God according to the justice of thy fathers. [1113A] R. I will. I will; and in so far as I shall prevail, stayed by divine help and by the solace of all his own, so I promise that I will act faithfully in all things. *Then the lord metropolitan himself addresses the people in these words.* Wilt thou subject thyself to such a prince and ruler, and make firm his kingdom, and establish it with firm faith, and obey his commands, according to the apostle: let every soul be subject to the higher powers, to the king as excelling. R. I will. *Then, therefore, let it be said by the surrounding clergy and by the people with one mind.* Be it done. Be it done. Amen.

*But afterward, he having devoutly bowed his head, let there be said by one bishop.* Bless, O Lord, this our king, who governest all kingdoms from of old, and glorify him with such blessing that he may hold the scepter of Davidic [1113B] sublimity, and, glorified, be received forthwith in his merit. Give to him, O Lord, by thy breathing, with mildness so to rule the people as Solomon to obtain a kingdom of peace. To thee may he ever be subject with fear, and for thee may he soldier with quiet. May he be protected by thy shield together with the nobles, and everywhere stand forth victor by thy grace. Honor him before all the kings of the nations. Happy may he be lord over the peoples, and happily may the nations adorn him. May he live great-souled among the throngs of the nations, may he be singular in the judgments of equity, may the most rich right hand enrich him, may he obtain a fruit-bearing fatherland, and to his children mayest thou grant things that shall profit them. Grant him length of life through the times, and in his days may justice arise, and may he hold robust the throne of rule, and with jocundity and gladness glory in the eternal kingdom. Through.

[1113C] *Oration*.

Almighty everlasting God, creator of all things, emperor of angels, king of those who reign, and Lord of those who lord, who madest Abraham thy faithful servant to triumph over his enemies, gavest manifold victory to Moses and Joshua, set before the people, didst raise the humble David thy boy to the summit of the kingdom, and didst enrich Solomon with the ineffable gift of wisdom and of peace; look, we beseech, upon the prayers of our humility, and upon this thy servant N., whom in suppliant devotion we have chosen as king, multiply the gifts of thy blessings, and encompass him always and everywhere with the right hand of thy power: so that, made firm by the fidelity of the aforesaid Abraham, leaning upon the mildness of Moses, [1113D] fortified with the fortitude of Joshua, exalted by the humility of David, adorned with the wisdom of Solomon, he may please thee in all things, and ever advance along the path of justice with unimpeded [sic: *in offenso*] step; and may so nourish and teach, fortify and instruct thy Church thereafter, with the peoples annexed to it, and against all visible and invisible enemies may he mightily and royally administer for it the rule of thy strength, and, by thy aid, may reform their souls to the concord of the true faith and of peace: that, stayed by the due subjection of these peoples, glorified with condign love, [1114A] he may merit by thy mercy to ascend becomingly to the paternal throne; and, defended by the helmet of thy protection, and ever guarded by the insuperable shield, and encompassed with heavenly arms, may happily seize the triumph of a desirable victory, and bring in the terror of his power upon the unfaithful, and gladly bring back peace to those who soldier for thee; through our Lord, who by the virtue of the holy cross destroyed Tartarus, and, the kingdom of the devil being overcome, ascended victor to the heavens, in whom all power, the victory of kings, consists, who is the glory of the humble and the life and salvation of the peoples. Who with thee.

*Then by the other bishop let this oration be said.* O God, unutterable author of the world, founder of the human race, governor of empire, confirmer of the kingdom, who from the womb of thy faithful friend our patriarch [1114B] Abraham didst fore-choose kings to profit the ages, then this present king, with his army, through the intercession of all the saints, enriched with rich blessing, and join him to the throne of the kingdom with firm stability. Visit him as thou didst visit Moses in the bush, Jesus Nave in battle, Gideon in the field, Samuel in the temple; and pour over him that starry blessing and the dew of thy wisdom, which David in the psalter, Solomon his son, by thy rewarding, received from heaven. Be to him a battle-line against enemies, a breastplate in adversities, a helmet in prosperities, patience in protection, his everlasting shield; and grant that the nations (illius) may keep faith with him, that his nobles may have peace, may love charity, abstain from covetousness, speak justice, keep truth. And [1114C] so may this people under his rule sprout, [sic: *coaluus*] ( *an* coalitus?) with the blessing of eternity, that they may ever remain, dancing in peace, victors. Which may he himself deign to grant, who with thee liveth.

*Then by the metropolitan bishop let the hands be anointed with sanctified oil.* Let these hands be anointed with sanctified oil, wherewith kings and prophets were anointed; and as Samuel anointed David to be king, that thou mayest be blessed and constituted king in this kingdom over this people, whom the Lord thy God hath given thee to rule and to govern. Which he himself to grant. Look, almighty God, upon this glorious king ill. with serene regards, and as thou didst bless Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as [cj: *sicut*; read *sic*, "so"] deign to water him with the large blessings of spiritual grace, with all the fullness of thy power, [1114D] and to pour them forth upon him. Grant to him, O Lord, of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth, abundance of grain, of wine, and of oil, and of all fruits through the times, that, while he reigns, there may be health of bodies in the [sic: *pata*] (patria), inviolate peace may be in the kingdom, and the glorious dignity of the royal palace may shine before the eyes of all with the greatest splendor of kingly power, may grow bright with most clear light, and may be seen with splendor, as if most splendid, suffused with light in greatest blaze. Grant to him, almighty God, that he may be the strongest protector of the fatherland, and consoler of the churches and of the monasteries [1115A] of the saints, with the greatest piety of royal munificence; and that he may be the strongest of kings, a triumpher over enemies, for the crushing of rebellious and pagan nations. And may he be terrible enough to his enemies in the utmost royal fortitude. To the magnates also and the exalted, and to the nobles and the faithful of his kingdom, may he be magnificent and lovable and dutiful, that he may be feared and loved by all. May kings also go forth from his loins through the successions of future times, to rule this whole kingdom; and, after the glorious and happy joys of this present life, may he merit to have everlasting joys in perpetual blessedness. Which he himself.

*But afterward by the metropolitan pontiff let there be anointed with sanctified oil the head, the breast, and the shoulder-blades, both joinings.* I anoint thee king with sanctified oil, in the [1115B] name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May the grace of the Holy Spirit, by the office of our humility, descend upon thee in abundance: that, as by our unworthy hands thou art made fat outwardly, smeared with material oil, so, bedewed with his invisible ointment, thou mayest merit to be made fat inwardly; and, ever most perfectly imbued with his spiritual unction, mayest learn, or avail, to decline unlawful things with the whole mind, and to spurn them, and mayest be able continually to think, to desire, and to work the things useful to thy soul; our Lord Jesus Christ helping, who with the Father. *Then let the oration be said.* O God, who art the glory of the just and the mercy of sinners, who didst send thy Son to redeem the human race with his most precious blood; who breakest wars in pieces, and art the champion of all who hope in thee, and under whose judgment the power of all [1115C] kingdoms is contained: we humbly entreat thee, that thou bless this present thy servant N., confessing in thy mercy, in this present royal seat, and deign propitiously to be near him; that he who seeks to be defended by thy protection may be stronger than all enemies. Make him, O Lord, to be blessed, and victor over his enemies. Crown him with the crown of justice and of piety, that, believing in thee with the whole mind, he may serve thee, may defend and exalt thy holy Church, and may justly rule the people committed to him by thee. Let no one, evils lying in wait, turn to injustice. Kindle, O Lord, his heart to the love of thy grace by this oil of unction, wherewith thou hast anointed kings and prophets: that, loving justice, leading the people familiarly along the path of justice, after the completed [1115D] courses of years disposed by thee in royal excellence, he may merit to attain to eternal joys. Through.

*Another.* May God the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord, who by the Father was anointed with the oil of exultation before his fellows, himself, through the present infusion of sacred unction, pour out upon thy head the blessing of the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, and make the same penetrate even to the inward parts of thy heart: that by this visible and handleable gift thou mayest merit to perceive things invisible, and, the temporal kingdom with just governances — execution [n: ( f. exsecuto, exsecutus)], [1116A] — to reign with him eternally, who alone without sin, King of kings, liveth and is glorified with God the Father in the unity of the Spirit through all.

## HERE BEGINS THE ORDER FOR BLESSING THE KING, WHEN A NEW ONE IS RAISED BY THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE INTO THE KINGSHIP. (cont.)

*Afterward let him receive the sword from the bishops, and with the sword let him know that the whole kingdom has been faithfully committed to him to rule according to the words said above, the metropolitan pontiff saying.* Receive the sword, laid upon thee royally by the hands of the bishops, unworthy though they be, yet consecrated in the stead and by the authority of the holy apostles, and by the office of our blessing divinely ordained for the defense of the holy Church of God: and be mindful of that whereof the Psalmist prophesied, saying: Gird thyself with thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty; that in this thou mayest by the same exercise the force of equity, and mightily destroy the mass of iniquity, and [1116B] fight for and protect the holy Church of God and her faithful, and no less mayest execrate and destroy the false under the faith than the enemies of the Christian name; mayest clemently aid and defend widows and orphans; restore things made desolate, preserve things restored; avenge things unjust, confirm things well disposed: that, in doing these things, glorious in the triumph of the virtues, and an excellent cultivator of justice [sic: *institiaeque*], thou mayest merit to reign without end with the Savior of the world, whose type thou bearest in name. Who with God.

*And girded with the sword, let him likewise receive from them the armlets and the mantle and the ring, they saying.* Receive the ring of dignity, and by it acknowledge in thyself the seal of the catholic faith: for as today thou art ordained head and prince of the kingdom and of the people, so an enduring author [1116C] and establisher of Christianity and of the Christian faith; that, happy in work, rich in faith, thou mayest glory with the King of kings, through him to whom is honor, glory unto the ages.

*But afterward let him receive the scepter and the staff, the metropolitan saying to him:* Receive the rod of virtue and of equity, whereby thou mayest understand to soothe the godly and to terrify the reprobate; to open the way to the erring, to stretch forth a hand to the fallen; and mayest thou scatter the proud, and lift up the humble; and may Jesus Christ our Lord open to thee the door, who saith of himself: I am the door: by me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved; and he himself, who is the key of David and the scepter of the house of Israel: who openeth and no man shutteth, who shutteth and no man openeth. And may he be the author, who leadeth out the bound from the house of the prison, and him that sitteth in darkness [1116D] and the shadow of death; and in all things mayest thou merit to follow him, of whom the prophet David sang: Thy seat, O God, is unto the age of the age; a rod of equity, the rod of thy kingdom. And, imitating him, mayest thou love justice and hold iniquity in hatred; for therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee, after the example of him whom before the ages he had anointed with the oil of exultation before his fellows, Jesus Christ.

*Afterward let the metropolitan reverently set the crown upon the head of the king, saying.* Receive the crown of the kingdom, which, though by unworthy hands, yet by the hands of bishops, is set upon thy [1117A] head; and mayest thou understand it expressly to signify the glory of sanctity, and honor, and the work of fortitude; and be not ignorant that through it thou art a partaker of our ministry: so that, as we in inward things are understood to be pastors and rulers of souls, thou likewise in outward things mayest ever appear a true worshipper of God, and a strenuous defender of the Church of Christ against all adversities, and a useful executor of the kingdom given to thee by God and committed to thy rule through the office of our blessing in the stead of the apostles and of all the saints, and a profitable reigner: that, among the glorious athletes, adorned with the gems of the virtues, and crowned with the prize of everlasting felicity, thou mayest glory without end with the redeemer and Savior Jesus Christ, whose name and stead thou art believed to bear, who liveth and commandeth, [1117B] God with God the Father, unto the ages of ages. R. Amen.

*And by him straightway let the oration or blessing be said over him, which is also to be said at the time of a synod.* May the Lord bless thee, and keep thee; and as he hath willed thee to be king over his people, so in the present age may he grant thee to be happy, and a consort of eternal felicity. R. Amen. May he make the clergy and the people, whom by his own aid he willed to be gathered in thy sanction, to be happily governed, by his dispensation and thy administration, through long-enduring times. R. Amen. That, obeying the divine admonitions, lacking adversities, abounding in all good things, following thy rule with faithful love, they may both enjoy tranquillity in the present age, and with thee may merit to obtain the fellowship [1117C] of the eternal citizens. Amen. Which he himself to grant.

*Then let him, crowned, be led with honor through the choir, from the altar by the bishops as far as the throne, the clergy singing the Responsory* The desire of the soul. *Then let the metropolitan say to him.* Stand and hold from now the place which until now thou hast held by paternal succession, delegated to thee by hereditary right, through the authority of Almighty God and our present tradition — that is, of all the apostles and of the rest of the servants of God; and the nearer thou seest the clergy to the sacred altars, so much the more remember to pay them the greater honor in fitting places: that the mediator [1118A] of God and men may confirm thee, mediator of the clergy and of the people ( *in this place let the lord metropolitan make him sit, saying* ), in this throne of the kingdom, and make thee to reign with him in the eternal kingdom — Jesus Christ our Lord, King of kings and Lord of those who lord. Who with God the Father.

*Then of God to them the kiss of peace. But let the whole company of the clerics, rejoicing in him as ruler, with sounding hymns sing together with loud voice this hymn* Thee, God, we praise. *Then let the metropolitan bishop celebrate the mass with full procession.* O God, who disposest all things in wondrous order, and ineffably governest them, grant, we beseech, that thy servant N. may discern these things to be fulfilled in the course of this age, whereby he may prevail to please thee in perpetuity. Through.

[1118B] *Secret.*

Grant, we beseech, almighty God, appeased by these saving sacrifices, that thy servant N. may always be found [sic: *indoneus*] for carrying through the office of royal dignity, and may be rendered accepted to the heavenly fatherland. Through.

*Episcopal blessing.*

May almighty God, who hath willed thee to be the ruler of his people, himself, sanctifying thee with heavenly blessing, make thee to be a consort of the eternal kingdom.

*Oration.* And may he grant thee, against all the enemies of the Christian faith, visible and invisible, triumphal victory, and thee, to himself, a most happy founder, far and wide, of ecclesiastical peace and quiet. Amen. That, while thou holdest the helms of the kingdom, the people [1118C] subject to thee, keeping the laws of the Christian religion, safe on every side, may fully enjoy tranquil peace; and, thou being placed in the council of the blessed, may merit that thou rejoice there together with thee equally in eternal felicity. Which he himself to grant.

*At the Completion.* May this reception of the saving sacrifice, O Lord, wash away the stains of the sins of thy servant N., that it may render him fit to rule the people according to thy will; that by this saving mystery he may be rendered unconquered against visible and invisible enemies — through which the world, by divine disposition, was redeemed. Through.