Whether these leaders were known to their own people as kings and queens, does not appear, but they are called such by the Roman conquerors, and seem to be the forerunners of those who afterward came to rule the islands.

However, from about the middle of the 6th century on, some really satisfactory guides to the titles of the various rulers are found in the introductions to the Laws, or Statutes, promulgated by those rulers and passed on to posterity in written form.

About the earliest of these are, the Laws of "Aethel birtus Rex," -Ina began his with "Ego Ina Dei Gratia Occidorum Saxonum Rex." David Wilkins in his edition of the Leges Anglo-Saxonicae writes that " Aethelbirtus" began to rule in 561 A.D., but Sir Thomas Hardy-in his introduction to "The Charter Rolls "-quotes Bede to the effect that Aethelred was the first to promulgate written Law about the end of the century.

Be this as it may-they did use the title king and, as a rule, following the example of the writers of the Epistles in the New Testament-began their charters by an invocation-usually placing either the sign of the Cross or the monogram of Jesus Christ before the invocation.5

Cnut (1016) added to the title as he was "King of all England, Denmark and Norway," but this was not permanent.

Edgar (959), "The Peaceful" seemed to have imperialistic tendencies for he styled himself at one time or another "Rex,” "Basileus," "Imperator," and "Dominus."

Just what was the title of Harold, popularly known as "The Last of the Saxon Kings," does not appear, but as his title to the throne has been stated by Blackstone and other writers to have been irregular, it probably is of no great consequence.

William "the Conqueror" (1066) added his paternal title of Duke of Normandy, though he was also commonly known by the less desirable one of "William the Bastard."

William Rufus (1087) and Henry I. made no changes, although Robert, Henry I's. brother, being Duke of Normandy, prevented the English Monarchs from using that title until they finally conquered him in 1106, after which they were again called either "Princeps" or "Dux" of Normandy."

Leges A-S. Vol. I., p. 1 (David Wilkins Edit. 1721).

Ibid, p. 14.

The Charter Rolls (Sir Thomas D. Hardy) Introduction, p. xii.

The Charter Rolls, Introduction, p.xiii.

Ibid, p. xiii., and quotation (228 Hansard, p. 502).

Blackstone, "Commentaries," Vol. I., pp. 77-9 (7th Edit.).

'Leges, A-S. Vol. I., p. 228.

The Charter Rolls, Introduction, p. xv.

During the "woeful days of Stephen" (1135-54), Matilda had occasion to issue a document in which she is styled "Matilda Imperatrix."10

Henry II. (1154) by descent and marriage, acquired the additional titles of "Duke of Aquitain (or Guyan) and Count (or Earl) of Anjou," while John (1099) besides granting the Magna Charta to his barons added "Dominus Hiberniae " to his already lengthy title.12 Edward III. (1360) not content with his title to a large part of France claimed the whole country and changed his Royal title to "King of England and France and Master of Ireland."18

To Henry VIII's (1509) literary achievements in the cause of the Pope is due the addition of "Defender of the Faith "-conferred on him-by a Papal Bull issued by Leo X. and confirmed by another Bull of Clement VII.14

However, Henry's championing of the Catholic faith was short lived, as he found that that religion interfered with his desire not only to be absolutely supreme, in church as well as state, but also to change his wife whenever he felt inclined. He quarrelled with the Papal See and the Pope withdrew his newly-won title. Nothing daunted, Henry had Parliament confirm it by public act and even add to it by declaring him "Supreme Head of the Church in England and Ireland,"15 as well as "King of Ireland."16

Henry's daughter followed her father's example in adding to the title and provided the greatest variety that an English sovereign has ever used. She married Phillip of Spain (1554), and her statutes were begun with "Phillip and Mary, by the Grace of God, King and Queen of England, France, Naples, Jerusalem and Ireland, Defenders of the Faith, Princes of Spain and Sicily, Archdukes of Austria; Dukes of Milan, Burgundy and Brabant, Counts of Hapsburg, Flanders, and Tyrol."

Though Phillip and Mary being Catholics had renounced by Act of Parliament1s the title of "Supreme head of the Church "-Elizabeth (1587), who followed them showed more discretion in that, desiring to choose a title that would be equally agreeable to Protestants and Catholics alike, she dropped "The Supreme Head," and replaced it by "Et cetera."19

10 Rymers Fedora, t. i., p. 8.

11 Leges, A-S. Vol. I., p. 318.

12 Rymers Fœdera, t. i., p. 112, and The Charter Rolls, Intro., p. xvii-i.

13 Statutes of the Realm, Vol. I., p. 112.

14 Rymers Fœdera, t. 13, p. 756.

15 35 H. VIII., C. 3.

16 33 H. VIII., C. 1.

"Charter Rolls, Intro., p. xxii.; Rot. Par., 2 Mar., p. 2, M. 5.

18 1 p. & M., c. 8, s. 4.

19 1900, Eng. Hist. Review, Vol. 15, pp. 126-130.

James I. (1603), coming from the north, brought with him the title of "King of Scotland," which had come to him through a long line of kings who traced their descent back to the old Celtic Chieftains, though the first "acts" of these rulers only seem to go back to (1124) the reign of David.20

66

James is also credited with having first used "Great Britain " in his title and on his coins, although England and Scotland were not united until 1706, and James' usual title was James by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc.'

9921

Charles I. (1625), and Charles II (1660), and James II. (1685), all continued to use "Great Britain," while Cromwell (1653) was known as "Oliver, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland." 22

The "Bill of Rights "-the Act of Succession-and the Act of Union of England and Scotland23 all give the title as used by the King or Queen, i.e., "By the Grace of God, King (or Queen) of England, Scotland (or Great Britain), France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc.," but George I. (1714) added to it very considerably by bringing over his own titles of "Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg, Arch Treasurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire."24 In another instance he was styled in addition to his "English Royal titles," Arch Treasurer of the Holy Roman Empire and Prince Elector."25

George III. in 1801-by proclamation as authorized by Act of Parliament, altered the Royal Title, dropping all claim to the throne of France. His title was "George the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith." It will also be noted that he dropped the "etc.” assumed by Elizabeth.

Although it seems from the above mentioned proclamation that George III. did not use his continental titles yet by another proclamation in 1837, Victoria in directing the omittance of the Arms of Hanover from the Royal Arms, intimated that George had changed his ancient title of Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, to King of Hanover, and that this title on her predecessor's death had passed by the Salic law, to the nearest male heir-the Duke of Cumberland.27

20 Acts of Parliament of Scotland, Vol. I., p. 317.

Charter Rolls, Intro., p. xxiii., and Reliquiae Spelmannae, p. 241. 22 Commonwealth Proclamations and Ordinances, Vol. I., p. 1.

23 6 Ann., c. 11, art. 2.

24 Title used in Treaty-Herslet, Vol. I., p. 93.

25 Chalmer's Treaties, Vol. I., p. 257.

26 St. R. & O.. Revised to Dec. 31, 1903, Vol. I ("Arms,” etc., p. 1). 27 Ibid. ("Arms," etc., p. 8).

No further changes were made in the Royal title until 1876, when an Act was passed to enable Victoria to add to her title Empress of India,"28 which she did on April 28, 1876.

9929

Then in 1901 came the latest change in the Royal title in a similar way by the passing of an Act enabling Edward the Seventh to insert the words "And of the British Dominions beyond the seas.' So the present official title of the King as authorized by Act of Parliament and Proclamation of the King, is-" George the Fifth, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King. Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India."30

Due to general dislike for things German, during the late war, the name of the Royal family was changed from Guelph to Windsor, but this in no way affected the Royal Title.

It is true that the King has other titles besides his official Royal one-such as his hereditary title of "Duke of Lancaster," and that of "Duke of Cornwall"-(which passes to the heir apparent as soon as he is born); and in 1849 Queen Victoria by Letters Patent created the title of Earl of Dublin,31 but it seems that these lesser titles" are merged " in the official Royal Title.32

From the above outline, it will be seen that the changes in the Royal Title have been both numerous and varied, and it seems not only possible, but even probable, that in the future, other changes will be made. It has even been suggested that owing to the recent changes in the political status of Ireland, the title has already been altered, but this is not so.

However, with such diverse races and varied forms of government as are at present within the British Empire, changes seem quite. probable, and should any considerable portion of the Empire, as a result of such change, desire an alteration in the Royal Title, it seems that all that is necessary to produce the desired result is an Act of Parliament and a Royal Proclamation.

Despite the ease with which changes can apparently be made, the Royal Title has always been a subject of interest, and even deep concern to the people.

As far back as the reign of Edward the Third Parliament, fearing

28

St. R. & O., Revised to Dec. 31, 1903, Vol. 1 ("Arms," etc., p. 10).
Ibid ("Arms," etc., p. 12).

N.B.-The enabling acts in P. No. (2) notes, were 39 and 40 Vic., c. 10, and 1 Ed. VII., c. 15.

30 Canada Journals of H. of C., 1923, Vol. LX.. p. iii. (Proclamation). Canada Sess. Paper, 111 A. 1923 (Full powers issued to Ernest La

pointe).

32 London Gazette, Jan. 22, 1924 (Extradition convention with Belgium, p. 682).

that his assumption of the title of "King of France” might at some time lead to their being ruled over by a French sovereign, expressly enacted that this should never take place."

66

During the reign of Henry VII, Parliament, in a long preamble to an Act("Whereas by divers sundry old authentic histories and chronicles it is manifestly declared and expressed that this realm of England is an Empire, and so has been accepted in the world— governed by one Supreme Head and King having the dignity and Royal Estate of the Imperial Crown of the same," evidently desired to have England known as an Empire, while Henry's assumption of Supreme head of the Church . . . " led to bitter quarrels with the Pope, and the "attempted" revocation of "Defender of the Faith." It is probably due to the feeling of the people that this title (ie., Supreme Head," etc.) was never again used after its repeal by a Parliament of Phillip and Mary,35 though as Maitland writes, it may be that Elizabeth very tactfully avoided any likelihood of trouble over the subject by the addition of "etc.," which might be interpreted to mean whatever the individual chose to think it meant, depending on whether he was a Catholic or Protestant.

About this time the Scottish Congregation desired the union of England and Scotland, and the adoption of the title, King of "Great Britain," and James I. did introduce this latter innovation, even though he was informed by his judges that such a change would "invalidate all legal processes."

During the middle of the 19th Century some individuals considered, either, that the title had been changed, or that it should be changed, for, in 1858, in one proclamation, Victoria was styled, "Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and of the Colonies and Dependencies thereof, Empress of India and Defender of the Faith," while both The Times of December 6, 1858, and "Whitaker's Almanack" of 1861, gave her long and high-sounding additions to her official title.

In 1876 D'Israeli, who was then Premier, desirous of pleasing the people of British India, introduced a bill to allow the addition of "Empress of India." This occasioned long and at times heated debates. One of D'Israeli's opponents, in demanding more time for its consideration, claimed it was the most important piece of legislation D'Israeli's government had introduced, while another said that since the change was being made to please the Eastern subjects of the Queen care should be taken to select one worthy of the East and

London Gazette. Jan. 11, 1924, p. 371.

34 14 Fd. III. Stat. 5.

38 24 H. VIII., c. 12.