PART VI. STATISTICS AND OFFICIAL LISTS. STATISTICS OF THE CROWN; THE RANKS IN LISTS OF THE GREAT OFFICIAL FUNCTION- SECTION I. STATISTICS. MANY of the articles in the preceding portions of this volume are capable of illustration by a numerical view of the present state of those classes to which they refer. But to exhibit clearly the exercise during different periods of the royal prerogative in the creation of titles, and to shew the vicissitudes which each rank has undergone, requires a rather more systematic examination of the subject than could be effected if these matters were included under the separate descriptive articles on each title, dignity, or office. In order, therefore, to combine under one head the statistical tables which would be otherwise widely scattered, they have been concentrated in the following pages, and presented undiluted to those who take an interest in such matters, while all other readers will find the previous articles free from details which may be to them distasteful. The period of rule which the Sovereigns of England have enjoyed may be thus classified :— The Reigns under 5 years in length were..... The following table exhibits the ages to which Kings and Queens have lived 2 have died at from 10 to 20 years of age 20 " 2 50 60 70 80, 90 1 PRINCES OF WALES. The title was first conferred on the King's son in 1284, and has therefore been appropriated to this purpose for 558 years, but so far from being in use throughout the whole of this period, it was merged in the Crown for more than half that time,-viz. 288 years, as shown below: Title merged in the Crown about.... 288 years. Of the 18 Princes who have received the title, the following is a classification : |