The Prince and the Pauper · Chapter
Coronation Day explained
On the day of the coronation, Tom Canty is about to be crowned when the true king, Edward, arrives in rags and reveals himself.
What happens
On the day of the coronation, Tom Canty is about to be crowned when the true king, Edward, arrives in rags and reveals himself. After a series of questions and the discovery that the Great Seal is missing, Tom recalls that Edward used it to crack nuts, proving Edward's identity. Edward is crowned king, and Tom is spared and honored.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Appearance
The true king is recognized despite his ragged clothes, while Tom in royal robes is nearly crowned, highlighting the contrast between appearance and true identity.
Justice and Injustice
Edward spares Tom from punishment and rebukes the Lord Protector for his ungrateful conduct, restoring justice.
Mercy and Redemption
Tom is shown mercy by Edward, who acknowledges Tom's role in preserving the crown and refuses to harm him.
Characters to notice
- Tom Canty
The mock-king who willingly relinquishes the throne and helps prove Edward's identity by recalling the Great Seal was used to crack nuts.
- Edward VI
The true king who arrives in rags at the coronation, answers questions correctly, and is finally recognized after the Great Seal is located.
- Lord Protector
Initially skeptical, he questions Edward and later orders Tom's arrest, but is rebuked by the new king.
- Lord St. John
Sent by Edward to retrieve the Great Seal from the secret cabinet, but returns saying it is not there.
- Henry VIII
Deceased, but referenced as the late king whose apartments Edward describes correctly.
Key passages
“Now, O my king, take these regal garments back, and give poor Tom, thy servant, his shreds and remnants again.”
Tom asks the true king to take back the royal robes and return his own rags.
Tom voluntarily surrenders the throne.
“To crack nuts with!”
Tom admits he used the Great Seal to crack nuts.
This humorous revelation proves Tom is not the true king and leads to Edward's recognition.
“Oh, my lord the king, let poor Tom Canty be first to swear fealty to thee, and say, ‘Put on thy crown and enter into thine own again!’”
Tom kneels and pledges loyalty to Edward, urging him to reclaim the crown.
Tom's public acknowledgment of Edward as the rightful king.