Prince Arthur at the Royal Chapel of the Mohawks Royal Chapels, or Chapels Royal, refer to the various churches that are called upon to minister to the sovereign (although the term more accurately refers to the people called upon to minister). The institution emerged at the latter end of the 1400s. Previously, those who ministered to the sovereign's spiritual needs travelled with the royal court from place to place and did not have an official base.
Of the six Chapels Royal located outside of Britain two are in Canada. Both are symbolic of the strong ties between the Mohawk nation and the Canadian Crown. They are the Christ Church Royal Chapel in Deseronto, Ontario and Her Majesty's Royal Chapel of the Mohawks in Brantford, Ontario.
The Christ Church Royal Chapel is a stone building in the Gothic Revival style and was built in 1843 both to symbolize the political and military alliance between the Crown and the Mohawks as well as to house the various gifts given by the sovereign to the Mohawk people over the years. It was elevated to the status of a Chapel Royal by The Queen in 2004.
Queen Anne While no longer housed at the church, on special occasions a silver communion set given to the Mohawks by Queen Anne in 1711 is displayed and used. As well there is triptych in the Mohawk language given by George III, a royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom and church bell given by George V, and a bible given by Queen Victoria. Queen Elizabeth has given two gifts: a communion chalice in 1984 commemorating the coming of the Loyalists (which included the Mohawks) and a set of eight silver hand bells in 2010.
Her Majesty's Royal Chapel of the Mohawks is a simple wooden structure built in 1785 and given to the Mohawk Loyalists led by Joseph Brant. Joseph Brant's remains were moved to the chapel from their original resting place in Burlington in 1850. Prince Arthur met with Chiefs of the Six Nations at this chapel in 1869 (pictured above). It was elevated to the status of Chapel Royal in 1904 by King Edward VII.
In 2001 there were two failed arson attempts that caused minor damage. The building has been renovated several times and currently eight stained glass windows are installed depicting events from the history of the Six Nations of the Iroquois.
In 2001 there were two failed arson attempts that caused minor damage. The building has been renovated several times and currently eight stained glass windows are installed depicting events from the history of the Six Nations of the Iroquois.
The four 'Mohawk Kings' (one is actually Mahican) that travelled to Britain in 1710 to discuss an alliance against the French. They were received by Queen Anne, who commissioned these paintings to mark the occasion.
The Mohawk Chapels illistrate a key way that royal traditions in Canada and Britain have diverged. In Britain royal chapels play no role in signifying a relationship between peoples while in Canada it might be described as their primary purpose. The ties between the Maple Crown and Canada's Aboriginals are not easily ignored. They weave through Canadian history and form the underpinnings of much of what Canada is today.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
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