The King-at-Arms received from the hands of Blue Mantle the cushion of silver cloth, knelt down, and presented the black portfolio on the cushion to the Lord Chancellor.
The Lord Chancellor took the black portfolio, and handed it to the Clerk of the Parliament.
The Clerk received it ceremoniously, and then sat down.
The Clerk of the Parliament opened the portfolio, and arose.
The portfolio contained the two usual messages—the royal patent addressed to the House of Lords, and the writ of summons.
The Clerk read aloud these two messages, with respectful deliberation, standing.
The writ of summons, addressed to Fermain Lord Clancharlie, concluded with the accustomed formalities,—
"We strictly enjoin you, on the faith and allegiance that you owe, to come and take your place in person among the prelates and peers sitting in our Parliament at Westminster, for the purpose of giving your advice, in all honour and conscience, on the business of the kingdom and of the church."
The reading of the messages being concluded, the Lord Chancellor raised his voice,—
"The message of the Crown has been read. Lord Clancharlie, does your lordship renounce transubstantiation, adoration of saints, and the mass?"