Court Etiquette and Crowing

The office in the Royal Household was called not only the “ King's Crower," but the “ King's Cock and Crier,” too.

Crowing in Lent

“During the season of Lent,” says the London Chronicle, “it was anciently the custom of the watchmen to crow the hour of the night instead of shouting it, the intention being doubtless to remind sleepless sinners of the effect the third crowing of the cock had on St. Peter. 

This custom, too, was observed at the Royal Court, an officer known as the 'King's cock crower' performing the duties within the precints of the palace. On the first Ash Wednesday after the accession of the House of Hanover, as the then Prince of Wales, (afterward George II), was at supper, this officer entered and crowed 'past 10 o’clock.' 

The astonished Prince mistook the crow for an insult and rose to resent it, but was made to understand, with some difficulty, that the custom was in accordance with Court etiquette. The custom was from that time discontinued. —Madera Mercury, 1902

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