Then the Archbishop blesses the sword of Charlemagne, placed on the altar in its scabbard:—­

“Exaudi Domine,” he says, “grant our prayers, and deign to bless with Thy hand this sword with which Thy servant Charles is girt, that he may use it to protect the churches, the widows, and the orphans, and all Thy servants; and may this sword inspire dread and terror to whoever shall dare to lay snares for our King.  We ask it through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Archbishop draws the sword from the sheath, and places it naked in the hands of the King, who, having lowered it, offers it to God and replaces it upon the altar.

To the ceremony of the sword succeeds the preparation of the holy chrism.  The Archbishop has the reliquary opened containing the holy ampulla, which is taken from a little chest of gold; he withdraws from it, by means of a golden needle, a particle which he mingles with the holy chrism on the patin.  Meanwhile the choir chants:—­

“The holy Bishop Remi, having received from Heaven this precious balm, sanctified the illustrious race of the French in the baptismal waters and enriched them with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Then the two attendant cardinals undo the openings made in the garments of the King for the anointings, and escort His Majesty to the altar.  A large carpet of velvet with fleurs-de-lis is stretched in front, and on this are two cushions of velvet, one over the other.  The King prostrates himself, his face against the cushions.  The Archbishop, holding the golden patin of the chalice of Saint Remi, on which is the sacred unction, takes some upon his thumb, and consecrates the King, who is kneeling.

The Archbishop then proceeds to the seven anointings:  on the crown of the head, on the breast, between the shoulders, on the right shoulder, on the left shoulder, in the bend of the right arm, in the bend of the left arm, making the sign of the cross at each, and repeating seven times:  ungo te in regem de oleo sanctificato, in nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti.  Aided by the attendant cardinals, he then closes the openings in the King’s garments.

The Grand Chamberlain advances, and puts upon His Majesty the tunic and dalmatica of violet satin sown with fleurs-de-lis in gold, which the Master of Ceremonies and an aide have taken from the altar.  The Grand Chamberlain places over these the royal mantle of violet velvet sown with golden fleurs-de-lis, lined and bordered with ermine.  Charles X., clad in the royal robes, kneels.  The Archbishop, seated, with the mitre on his head, anoints the palms of his hands, saying:  ungentur manus istae de oleo sanctificato.  The King then receives the gloves sprinkled with holy water, the ring, the sceptre, the Main de Justice.

The Dauphin, the Duke of Orleans, and the Duke of Bourbon advance.  The Archbishop, mitre on head, takes with both hands from the altar the crown of Charlemagne and holds it above the King’s head without touching it.  Immediately the three princes put out their hands to support it.  The Archbishop, holding it with the left hand only, with the right makes the sign, of benediction:  coronat te deus corona gloriae atque justitiae.  After which he places the crown on the head of the King, saying:  accipe coronam regni in nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti.