This manuscript contains the vocal score, composed by Edward Elgar (1857–1934), to a poem by John Masefield written for the unveiling of a memorial to Queen Alexandra. The score is written in Elgar's own hand, and bears his signature. King George V expressed an interest in the original manuscript of the score, and Elgar presented it to him in July 1932. Both poem and music were created especially for the unveiling of a great bronze monument to the late Queen, mother of George V, which is situated opposite St James's Palace in London. The monument was created by the sculptor Sir Alfred Gilbert, who had been patronised and protected by Queen Alexandra and was eager to commemorate her. The monument itself shows three female figures that represent faith, hope and charity. They surround an adolescent female figure that represents the Queen herself, the product of these three virtues. The monument was unveiled on 8th June 1932 with Elgar's music played by a military band, and Masefield's words sung by the boy choristers of the Chapels Royal and Westminster Abbey. John Masefield was poet laureate from 1930 to his death in 1967. He was a prolific poet and fiction writer, and by the end of his life his volume of 'Collected Poems' had sold over 200,000 copies. This was an unprecedented figure for a modern poet, and spoke to his popularity with readers. Today, however, he is perhaps most well known as a children's writer, having authored such classics as The Midnight Folk (1927) and The Box of Delights (1935).