Terms of Appointment and Official Report

An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Huntingdonshire. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1926.

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'Terms of Appointment and Official Report', in An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Huntingdonshire, (London, 1926) pp. xix-xxiv. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/hunts/xix-xxiv [accessed 25 March 2024]

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND OFFICIAL REPORT.

Whitehall, 28th October, 1908.

The KING has been pleased to issue a Commission under His Majesty's Royal Sign Manual to the following effect:—

EDWARD, R. & I.

EDWARD THE SEVENTH, 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, to

Our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor Herbert Coulstoun, Baron Burghclere;

Our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor Robert George, Earl of Plymouth, Companion of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath;

Our right trusty and well-beloved Cousin Harold Arthur, Viscount Dillon; and

Our trusty and well-beloved:—

David Alexander Edward Lindsay, Esquire, commonly called Lord Balcarres;

Sir Henry Hoyle Howorth, Knight Commander of Our Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, President of the Royal Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland;

Sir John Francis Fortescue Horner, Knight Commander of Our Royal Victorian Order;

James Fitzgerald, Esquire, Companion of the Imperial Service Order, Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Commissioners of Our Works and Public Buildings;

John George Neilson Clift, Esquire, Honorary Secretary of the British Archaeological Association;

Francis John Haverfield, Esquire, Doctor of Laws, Camden Professor of Ancient History in the University of Oxford;

Emslie John Horniman, Esquire; and

Leonard Stokes, Esquire, Vice-President of the Royal Institute of British Architects;

GREETING!

Whereas We have deemed it expedient that a Commission should forthwith issue to make an inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions connected with or illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilization and conditions of life of the people in England, excluding Monmouthshire, from the earliest times to the year 1700, and to specify those which seem most worthy of preservation:

Now know ye, that We, reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability, have authorized and appointed, and do by these Presents authorize and appoint you, the said Herbert Coulstoun, Baron Burghclere (Chairman); Robert George, Earl of Plymouth; Harold Arthur, Viscount Dillon; David Alexander Edward Lindsay (Lord Balcarres); Sir Henry Hoyle Howorth; Sir John Francis Fortescue Horner; James Fitzgerald; John George Neilson Clift; Francis John Haverfield; Emslie John Horniman, and Leonard Stokes, to be Our Commissioners for the purposes of the said enquiry;

And for the better enabling you to carry out the purposes of this Our Commission, We do by these Presents authorize you to call in the aid and co-operation of owners of ancient monuments, inviting them to assist you in furthering the objects of the Commission; and to invite the possessors of such papers as you may deem it desirable to inspect to produce them before you.

And We do further give and grant unto you, or any three or more of you, full power to call before you such persons as you shall judge likely to afford you any information upon the subject of this Our Commission; and also to call for, have access to and examine all such books, documents, registers and records as may afford you the fullest information on the subject, and to enquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever:

And We do by these Presents authorize and empower you, or any three or more of you, to visit and personally inspect such places as you may deem it expedient so to inspect for the more effectual carrying out of the purposes aforesaid:

And We do by these Presents will and ordain that this Our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you Our said Commissioners, or any three or more of you, may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment:

And We do further ordain that you, or any three or more of you, have liberty to report your proceedings under this our Commission from time to time if you shall judge it expedient so to do:

And Our further will and pleasure is that you do, with as little delay as possible, report to Us, under your hands and seals, or under the hands and seals of any three or more of you, your opinion upon the matters herein submitted for your consideration.

And for the purpose of aiding you in your enquiries We hereby appoint Our trusty and well-beloved George Herbert Duckworth, Esquire, to be Secretary to this Our Commission.

Given at Our Court at St. James's, the twenty-seventh day of October, one thousand nine hundred and eight, in the eighth year of Our Reign.

By His Majesty's Command,

H. J. GLADSTONE.

EDWARD, R. & I.

Edward the Seventh, 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, To Our trusty and well-beloved Sir Schomberg Kerr McDonnell (commonly called the Honourable Sir Schomberg Kerr McDonnell), Knight Commander of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Commander of Our Royal Victorian Order, Secretary to our Commissioners of Works and Public Buildings,

GREETING!

Whereas We did by Warrant under Our Royal Sign Manual bearing date the twenty-seventh day of October, one thousand nine hundred and eight, appoint Commissioners to make an inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions connected with or illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilization and conditions of life of the people in England, excluding Monmouthshire, from the earliest times to the year 1700, and to specify those which seem most worthy of preservation:

And Whereas a vacancy has been caused in the body of Commissioners appointed as aforesaid by the death of James Fitzgerald, Esquire:

Now know ye that We, reposing great confidence in you, do by these Presents appoint you the said Sir Schomberg Kerr McDonnell to be one of Our Commissioners for the purpose aforesaid, in the room of the said James Fitzgerald, deceased.

Given at Our Court at St. James's, the tenth day of April, 1909, in the ninth year of Our Reign.

By His Majesty's Command,

H. J. GLADSTONE.

Whitehall, 30th May, 1910.

The KING has been pleased to issue a Warrant under His Majesty's Royal Sign Manual to the following effect:—

GEORGE R. I.

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, to all to whom these Presents shall come,

GREETING!

Whereas it pleased His late Majesty from time to time to issue Royal Commissions of Enquiry for various purposes therein specified:—

And whereas, in the case of certain of these Commissions, namely, those known as—

The Ancient Monuments (England) Commission,

.....................

the Commissioners appointed by His late Majesty, or such of them as were then acting as Commissioners, were at the late Demise of the Crown still engaged upon the business entrusted to them:

And whereas we deem it expedient that the said Commissioners should continue their labours in connection with the said Enquiries notwithstanding the late Demise of the Crown:

Now know ye that We, reposing great trust and confidence in the zeal, discretion and ability of the present Members of each of the said Commissions, do by these Presents authorize them to continue their labours, and do hereby in every essential particular ratify and confirm the terms of the said several Commissions.

And We do further ordain that the said Commissioners do report to Us under their hands and seals, or under the hands and seals of such of their number as may be specified in the said Commissions respectively, their opinion upon the matters presented for their consideration; and that any proceedings which they or any of them may have taken under and in pursuance of the said Commissions since the late Demise of the Crown and before the issue of these Presents shall be deemed and adjudged to have been taken under and in virtue of this Our Commission.

Given at Our Court at St. James's, the twenty-sixth day of May, one thousand nine hundred and ten, in the first year of Our Reign.

By His Majesty's Command,

R. B. HALDANE.

GEORGE R. I.

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, to

Our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor Herbert Coulstoun, Baron Burghclere;

Our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin David Alexander Edward, Earl of Crawford;

Our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor Robert George, Earl of Plymouth, Companion of our Most Honourable Order of the Bath;

Our right trusty and well-beloved Cousin Harold Arthur, Viscount Dillon; and

Our trusty and well-beloved:—

Sir Schomberg Kerr McDonnell (commonly called the Honourable Sir Schomberg Kerr McDonnell), Knight Grand Cross of Our Royal Victorian Order, Knight Commander of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath;

Sir Henry Hoyle Howorth, Knight Commander of Our Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, President of the Royal Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland;

Sir John Francis Fortescue Horner, Knight Commander of Our Royal Victorian Order;

John George Neilson Clift, Esquire, late Honorary Secretary of the British Archaeological Association;

Francis John Haverfield, Esquire, Doctor of Laws, Camden Professor of Ancient History in the University of Oxford;

Emslie John Horniman, Esquire; and

Leonard Stokes, Esquire, Past President of the Royal Institute of British Architects;

GREETING!

Whereas We have deemed it expedient that the proceedings of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of England shall cover the period up to the year 1714, instead of up to the year 1700, and that a new Commission should issue for this purpose:

Now know ye that We have revoked and determined, and do by these Presents revoke and determine, the Warrants whereby Commissioners were appointed on the twenty-seventh day of October, one thousand nine hundred and eight, and the tenth day of April, one thousand nine hundred and nine, and every matter and thing therein contained.

And we do by these Presents authorize and appoint you, the said Herbert Coulstoun, Baron Burghclere (Chairman); David Alexander Edward, Earl of Crawford; Robert George, Earl of Plymouth; Harold Arthur, Viscount Dillon; Sir Schomberg Kerr McDonnell; Sir Henry Hoyle Howorth; Sir John Francis Fortescue Horner; John George Neilson Clift; Francis John Haverfield; Emslie John Horniman, and Leonard Stokes, to be Our Commissioners to make an inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions connected with or illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilization and conditions of life of the people in England, excluding Monmouthshire, from the earliest times to the year 1714, and to specify those which seem most worthy of preservation.

And for the better enabling you to carry out the purposes of this Our Commission We do by these Presents authorize you to call in the aid and co-operation of owners of ancient monuments, inviting them to assist you in furthering the objects of the Commission; and to invite the possessors of such papers as you may deem it desirable to inspect to produce them before you:

And We do further give and grant unto you, or any three or more of you, full power to call before you such persons as you shall judge likely to afford you any information upon the subject of this Our Commission; and also to call for, have access to and examine all such books, documents, registers and records as may afford you the fullest information on the subject, and to enquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever:

And We do by these Presents authorize and empower you, or any three or more of you, to visit and personally inspect such places as you may deem it expedient so to inspect for the more effectual carrying out of the purposes aforesaid:

And We do by these Presents will and ordain that this Our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you, Our said Commissioners, or any three or more of you, may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment:

And We do further ordain that you, or any three or more of you, have liberty to report your proceedings under this Our Commission from time to time if you shall judge it expedient so to do:

And Our further will and pleasure is that you do, with as little delay as possible report to Us, under your hands and seals, or under the hands and seals of any three or more of you, your opinion upon the matters herein submitted for your consideration.

And for the purpose of aiding you in your enquiries We hereby appoint Our trusty and well-beloved George Herbert Duckworth, Esquire, to be Secretary to this our Commission.

Given at Our Court at Saint James's, the twenty-ninth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and thirteen, in the fourth year of Our Reign.

By His Majesty's Command,

R. McKENNA.

GEORGE R. I.

Whitehall, 11th August, 1921.

The KING has been pleased to issue a Warrant under His Majesty's Royal Sign Manual to the following effect:—

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, to

Our trusty and well-beloved:—

Sir Arthur John Evans, Knight, Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Laws, Fellow of the Royal Society;

Sir Charles Hercules Read, Knight, Doctor of Laws, President of the Society of Antiquaries of London;

Montague Rhodes James, Esquire, Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Laws, Provost of Eton College;

Duncan Hector Montgomerie, Esquire;

William Page, Esquire; and

Charles Reed Peers, Esquire.

GREETING!

Know ye that We reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability do by these Presents appoint you the said Sir Arthur John Evans, Sir Charles Hercules Read, Montague Rhodes James, Duncan Hector Montgomerie, William Page and Charles Reed Peers to be members of the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England).

Given at our Court at Saint James's, the eighth day of August, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-one, in the twelfth year of Our Reign.

By His Majesty's Command,

EDWARD SHORTT.

GEORGE R. I.

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, to

Our trusty and well-beloved Edward William Spencer Cavendish, Esquire, commonly called the Marquess of Hartington:

GREETING!

Know ye that We reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability do by these Presents appoint you the said Edward William Spencer Cavendish, commonly called the Marquess of Hartington, to be a member of the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), in the room of Leonard Aloysius Scott Stokes, Esquire, deceased.

Given at our Court at Saint James's, the twentieth day of February, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six, in the sixteenth year of Our Reign.

By His Majesty's Command,

W. JOYNSON-HICKS.