Peter N Millward

The Secret of England's Greatness.

Secret of England's Greatness

A few days ago I was reading an old book...it had much fascinating reading and information and then I came across something which stopped me in my tracks and made me reflect on times past and how "God fearing" the population of the British Isles used to be and what a difference it made upon the world... In the book - the author had written ...."When an African Prince asked Queen Victoria the secret of England's greatness, she handed him a Bible  and said the secret was to be found therein."  My apologies to the rest of the British Isles.....the prince probably would have meant the British Isles, but I am quoting from the book......Afterwards I went searching - and found old black and white engravings which also recount the same story and others suitable to put together to make into one picture and colorized....The text underneath the Bible in the centre of the picture ...."the throne is established by righteousness." Proverbs 16:12. 

I also discovered elsewhere - Reading accounts of Queen Victoria's Coronation - We note how much reverence and importance was placed upon the Bible and the role it has played, as had been the custom in previous Coronations since Edward the VI. ( It is a remarkable story, one I shall return to - why the Bible has such a pre-eminent place at coronations of the Kings and Queens of Great Britain)  Below is something which was written from another book in 1838 and gives us some idea of the gravity and influence of the Bible has had upon Queen Victoria's life and reign:

"This custom, my dear Friends, has been continued to the present day. The Presentation of the Bible to the Sovereign forms a very touching part of the service, and it will be particularly interesting to you to know, that on the present occasion, our beloved Diocesan has been employed in carrying the Bible immediately before the Queen in the Procession.  The Archbishop presents it to her, saying,

Gracious Queen, we present you with this Book ; the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is wisdom ; this is the royal law ; these are the lively oracles of God.

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this book, that keep and do the things contained in it . For these are the words of eternal life, able to make you wise and happy in this world, nay wise unto salvation , and so happy for evermore, through faith in Christ Jesus ; to whom be glory for ever ."  From the book "God save the Queen. A sermon preached in Godalming Church on the occasion of the coronation of our most gracious Queen Victoria the 1st."  by the Rev. W. R. Fremantle, A. M.  1838.

* While researching the above anecdote "The Secret of England's Greatness" and Queen Victoria. There is another picture, a more famous one painted during Queen Victoria's reign which now hangs at the National Portrait gallery  Below are comments written on their website underneath a photo of the painting. What do we make of it when they cannot prove the anecdote to be untrue, but dismiss it anyway.?

"The scene depicted is based on a popular but unfounded anecdote current in the 1850s. This stated that, when asked by a diplomatic delegation how Britain had become powerful in the world, 'our beloved Queen sent him, not the number of her fleet, not the number of her armies, not the account of her boundless merchandise, not the details of her inexhaustible wealth … but handing him a beautifully bound copy of the Bible, she said 'Tell the Prince that this is the Secret of England's Greatness'." National Portrait Gallery.

It is sad sign of our times. I also came across other websites too, which question the validity of the anecdote. Most view the story cynically while claiming many things, they do in fact appear more biased and flawed than the history and characters they are supposed to treating unbiasedly. Wisdom and fairness should always determine how history is presented and portrayed. We also note today there is widespread hostility towards anything connected favourably to the Bible. Why is that?.

Should we really accept the opinions of historians and experts when their obvious bias disqualifies them? Rather should we not challenge them and hold them to account.

With all that is happening today because of cancel culture, and unfavourable narratives about Britain's history and culture. Now more than ever we should be seeking wisdom and fairness to be the final arbiter when looking at British history.

So I have made what I consider important points to remember when reading this subject of this anecdote. We must note - Non of those commenting negatively or questioning the anecdote mention this.

The first which doesn't prove anything, but indeed shows the curious way the question is phrased is likely someone from outside the British Isles - The question "What is the secret of England's greatness." Naming "England" is a common mistake many foreigners make when applying the name "England" to the whole of Great Britain, which was made up back then of Scotland, Wales, England, and the whole of Ireland.
Queen Victoria herself was no doubt well aware of this pictures existence and story. Given the great level of public awareness and interest in the picture throughout Britain, as it toured the British Isles. Neither the Queen nor her courtier's ever cast doubt on the veracity of the story behind the picture. It very much appears this was accepted at the time and there is no record of any one questioning it.
Without Queen Victoria herself challenging the story of the picture during her lifetime, or anyone else at the time....we can only conclude it very likely did take place.
With no evidence to disprove the anecdote, it should be presented from a neutral standpoint and the public allowed to make up their own minds without being swayed by personal opinions or bias of historians.
By all accounts Queen Victory was regarded as a truly committed Christian. It is well known she had a strong Christian faith. A visit to the Billy Graham website is just one example of stories shared about the life of Queen Victoria.
Would this story seem out of character with what we come to understand of Queen Victoria's faith?
Reading accounts of Queen Victoria's Coronation - We note how much reverence and importance was placed upon the Bible and the role it played, as had been the custom in previous Coronations since Edward the VI. Below is something which was written in 1838 and gives us some idea of the gravity and influence of the Bible upon Queen Victoria's reign......."This custom, my dear Friends, has been continued to the present day. The Presentation of the Bible to the Sovereign forms a very touching part of the service, and it will be particularly interesting to you to know, that on the present occasion, our beloved Diocesan has been employed in carrying the Bible immediately before the Queen in the Procession. The Archbishop presents it to her, saying,
Gracious Queen, we present you with this Book ; the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is wisdom ; this is the royal law ; these are the lively oracles of God.
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this book, that keep and do the things contained in it . For these are the words of eternal life, able to make you wise and happy in this world, nay wise unto salvation , and so happy for evermore, through faith in Christ Jesus ; to whom be glory for ever ." From the book "God save the Queen. A sermon preached in Godalming Church on the occasion of the coronation of our most gracious Queen Victoria the 1st." by the Rev. W. R. Fremantle, A. M. 1838.
One has to note non of the various websites which have articles written disparaging the anecdote ....Make mention of any background information shared above.....And one has to ask why? Is there a political agenda the way they want to present Britain's history to the public?.
I will let all who read this draw their own conclusions......