The King Is Dead!
In his fourth decade as Rabbi of Bradford, Dr Joseph Strauss made reference one Shabbos (Sabbath) morning in early may 1910, alluding to the death of the King of England. Edward VII had died the previous day on 6th May. He had often smoked twenty cigarettes and twelve cigars a day. Suffering increasingly from towards the end of his life he from bronchitis. By the March of 1910, King Edward was on a visit abroad, staying at Biarritz in France , a city on the Bay of Biscay, when he collapsed suddenly. Remaining there while convalescing, the situation became darker and the plight of the King a grave one. After April 27th he returned to England, seeking a withdrawal to his London home of Buckingham Palace. By now he was still suffering from severe bronchitis.
On the next day, 28th April he suffered a series of cardiac arrests, but stubbornly refused to retire to his bed affirming that, “No, I shall not give in; I shall go on; I shall work to the end.” It is said that in the intermittent periods between him feeling rather queasy, the Prince of Wales (the future King George V) gently informed him that his horse, ‘Witch of the Air’, had been successful in winning a race at Kempton Park Race Course earlier that afternoon. The Kings reply was thus: “I am very glad”. These are reportedly his last very words. At half past eleven Edward slipped out of consciousness for the last time and was helped to bed by his Royal aides . He slipped away, just a quarter of an hour later. The King was dead.
Source of information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VII#Death
King Edward VII
Rabbi Joseph Strauss
Here Rabbi Strauss spoke out about this most shocking of national events. An account from the Bradford Daily Telegraph of 7th May 1910 is reproduced in full below:
How the Bradford Daily Telegraph reported Rabbi Strauss’ reflection on the death of The King in 1910.
King Edward VII Death May 1910
AT THE JEWISH SYNAGOGUE
DR STRAUSS’ REFERENCE
At the Jewish Synagogue, Bowland Street, at the close of the weekly Sabbath Service, this morning, the Rev. Dr Strauss made a touching allusion to the death of the King.
Dr Strauss said it was a great calamity that such an excellent King Should have been taken away at a comparatively early age. King Edward was without doubt the best King that England ever possessed on account of his humanity, his suavity, and it was only fitting that his name should go down to history as Edward the Peacemaker.
Dr Strauss also alluded to the efforts of the King in helping literature, science and culture. His excellent Consort, Queen Alexandra, had, said Dr Strauss lost an excellent husband, and his children a very dear, loving father.
At the conclusion of the service the organist (Miss Nellie Strauss) played Chopin’s “Funeral March”.
An organ recording of Chopan’s Funeral March