First published in 1545, “Prayers or Meditations” by Queen Katherine Parr became so popular that 19 new editions were published by 1595 (reign of Elizabeth I). This edition was published in 1546 and bound by a cover made by the Nuns of Little Gedding. Located at Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe. © Meg Mcgath (permission needed to distribute)

The Prayer for the Sovereign History–The order of Morning and Evening Prayer ended with the third collect until the revision after the Savoy Conference in 1662. The Prayer for the Sovereign is almost entirely taken from the Sacramentary of Gregory the Great. It was first translated by Queen Katherine Parr and published in a book called “Prayers and Meditations” collected out of Holy Works in 1545.

Queen Elizabeth I Prayer Book, c.1559

It was observed in the reign of Elizabeth that the queen could not be prayed for except on days when the Litany or Communion Office was appointed to be read and hence this prayer was inserted to meet the defect of the daily services.

References

• Robert Jones Griffiths. “The Book of common prayer: its history and contents,” W. Stewart and Co., 1880.
• Lambeth Palace Library Online: “Featured Image: Queen Elizabeth I Prayer Book“