55. EDWARD II: CORONATION OATH (1308)[1] "Sire, will you grant and keep and by your oath confirm to the people of England the laws and customs given to them by the previous just and god- fearing kings, your ancestors, and especially the laws, customs, and liberties granted to the clergy and people by the glorious king, the sainted Edward, your predecessor?" "I grant and promise them." "Sire, will you in all your judgments, so far as in you lies, preserve to God and Holy Church, and to the people and clergy, entire peace and concord before God?" "I will preserve them." "Sire, will you, so far as in you lies, cause justice to be rendered rightly, impartially, and wisely, in compassion and in truth?" "I will do so." "Sire, do you grant to be held and observed the just laws and customs that the community of your realm shall determine, and will you, so far as in you lies, defend and strengthen them to the honour of God?" "I grant and promise them." (French) Statutes of the Realm, I, 168. [1] This is the form actually followed at the coronation of Edward II, but the record provides an alternative in Latin to be used "if the king is literate." It is also stated that the archbishop of Canterbury put the questions before the king was crowned; and, after he had given his oral responses, he personally swore on the altar that he would keep all his promises. See B. Wilkinson, in Historical Essays in Honour of James Tait, pp. 405 f.