The coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, on 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London, is the first for almost 70 years.
Here are 5 things you should know about the history and heritage of this ancient ceremony.
1. Coronations in England haven’t always been in London
It’s only relatively recently that coronations have been for Kings and Queens of the whole of England.
The first King of all England was Athelstan, who lived between 895 and 939 AD. He was the grandson of Alfred the Great and is the 31st great-granduncle to King Charles III.
While almost all Kings and Queens since 1066 have been crowned in Westminster Abbey, in the 10th and 11th centuries, at least 3 kings were crowned outside London, including:
- Edward the Confessor, at The Old Minster in Winchester in 1042
- Harthacnut, at Canterbury Cathedral in 1040
- Edgar the Peaceful, at Bath Abbey in 973
Of course, an official coronation isn’t always the same as being ‘crowned’.
In 1485, it is said that King Henry VII was crowned in Stoke Golding, Leicestershire, following Richard III’s defeat at the Battle of Bosworth. (He had a coronation at Westminster Abbey later that year).
Legend says that the coronation table and chair were taken from a rural farmhouse, and are now stored at Maxstroke Castle in Warwickshire.
2. Stones before thrones
In 2023, the coronation will use the same Coronation Chair that was first created for Edward I in 1272. It has been used in every coronation at Westminster Abbey since.
However, prior to Edward I, coronation stones were the alternative to seating.
The stone pictured below, in Kingston-upon-Thames, London, is said to have been the one on which the West Saxon Kings were crowned during the 10th century.
3. Coronation this, coronation that
It almost feels like there isn’t a single object that hasn’t been dedicated to a coronation at some point in time.
From fountains to boathouses, clock towers to lamp posts, you’ll find memorials and reminders of this key event in English history spread across the country.
For example, there are at least seven Coronation Streets in England, though one has surely attracted more drama than the rest…
Set within a fictional community of a fictional town in northern England, the TV show Coronation Street was first aired in 1960. It is now the world’s longest running television soap opera.
4. The coronation route isn’t always the same
Although many British coronations take similar routes, there can be slight changes.
Take a look at our story map showing the route and key buildings included in Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation procession in 1953, which also featured heads of states and dignitaries from all around the world.
5. Coronations on film
Coronations make for spectacular events, both for the nation and for popular culture.
The television drama series ‘The Crown’, serialising the life of Queen Elizabeth II, has covered many important moments in recent British history.
Whilst the coronation scenes couldn’t take place in Westminster Abbey itself, the show did use another Grade I listed English cathedral as a stand in: Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire.
‘Queen Charlotte’, a prequel to the popular ‘Bridgerton’ TV series, is set to tell the story of young Queen Charlotte’s marriage and coronation as the wife of King George III. It’s sure to draw interest from TV fans and Royal watchers alike.
Do you have a photo or memory that can enrich these list entries? Make your contribution today.
Do you know of another historic or significant place that has coronation connections? Find out more about making suggestions for the National Heritage List for England.
Further reading
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