¶ King Edward VIII announced that he will carry on his late father's revival of the old custom of personally giving, on Maundy Thursday (April 9), Maundy Money to "deserving" poor to the number of the King's age.
This rite, begun by Edward III in 1363 in commemoration of Jesus' washing his disciples' feet, at first required the King to wash poor men's feet, as well as make them gifts. Queen Elizabeth added the precaution of having the paupers' feet first bathed and scented in the laundry. William III delegated the washing chore...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
