[D. Weller.
CORONATION CHAIR, WITH SWORD AND SHIELD OF STATE.
Dean Stanley tells us that the coronation-rite of the Kings of Britain is the oldest in Europe, and that the inauguration of Aidan, King of the Dalriadic Scots, by St. Columba, in the sixth century, is the oldest ceremony of the kind in Christendom. It is good for us to remember these days of old, for it helps us to understand much better what is going on now, and teaches us the meaning of many of the solemn services and ceremonies of Church and State.
The Coronation Service has been slightly changed, of course, from time to time, but its chief parts are much the same as they were when William the Conqueror was crowned at Westminster in 1066. From very early times the coronations had been partly religious and partly civil ceremonies, and had taken place in a church, the day chosen being either a Sunday or some high festival, like Christmas Day, Whitsunday, or a Saint’s Day. The Saxon Kings were usually crowned in Winchester Cathedral. Canute was crowned at St. Paul’s.
Before speaking of any of the old Westminster Coronations, it will be a good plan to describe, very shortly, what is done at Coronations in our own day. We will take the little book of the “Form and Order for the Coronation of King Edward and Queen Alexandra,” and see what it says.
To begin with, the Sacred Oil for the anointing of the King was consecrated in the Confessor’s Chapel, and then placed on the altar. The Litany was said, and a hymn was sung as the clergy, carrying the Regalia, went down to the west door to meet the King and Queen.
When the King and Queen came into church the choir sang an anthem beginning with the words: “I was glad when they said unto me, We will go into the house of the Lord.”
The Westminster scholars have for long years had the right of acclaiming the King and Queen at the Coronations, and their shouts of “Vivat Regina Alexandra,” “Vivat Rex Edwardus,” were heard in the anthem as the sovereigns, first the Queen and then the King, walked up the Abbey.
At Coronations a great platform, called the Theatre, is put up, and covers a wide space in front of the high altar. On this platform the Coronation Chair (King Edward’s Chair, as it is called) is placed, and also the thrones. Here all the principal people stand, and here the whole great ceremony is performed.
When the King and Queen reached this platform the Archbishop of Canterbury turned to the people, and asked for what is called the Recognition, that is to say, he asked whether the people of England were willing to accept the King, and to do him homage. They answered by shouting out: “God save King Edward.”