The Coronation Ceremony :: Essays Papers

The Coronation Ceremony The earliest accounts of a coronation ceremony in England date back to around the 750à ­s A.D. Spanning the last thousand years, the English coronation ceremony has remained almost unchanged. During the fourteenth century, the kings of England were crowned in a lavish and complicated ceremony involving special clothes, rituals and oaths. These aspects of the ritual displayed, in some ways, the chivalric mindset of the times when the coronation process was first being developed to its fullest meaning and formality. Honor, prowess, loyalty, religiosity, and largess, all aspects of chivalry, were all displayed and dispersed throughout the entire event. Before the actual observance took place, the prince rode from the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey. There he was bathed and dressed in lavish clothing made from rich cloth of gold and silk. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who conducted the ceremony, then instructed the prince to clear his conscience before the holy anointing. The prince, Abbot of Westminster, and monks then made a procession from Westminster to the Church of Westminster. The will of the people was then questioned concerning the kingà ­s coronation. After the completion of the task, the anthem "Ffrimenteur manus tua" was sung. The will of the people was not the only will tested. The prince had to show his submission to God by lying in front of the altar several times during the rite. He then made an oath at the altar then fortified that oath by taking the sacred sacrament at the same altar. This part of the ceremony is when spiritual chivalry became involved. Inspired by love for God, the king, by lying at the foot of the altar, showed his submission and obedience. The king was then anointed by holy water in five different places on his body. He was stripped of his clothes save his shirt, which was worn open, and his coat. He was also barefoot. The kingà ­s hands, breast, between his shoulders, at the break of his arm, and on his forehead, the sign of the cross was made. The oil was then wiped clean with a linen cloth, and the Kings clothes were replaced. The kingà ­s sword also played a part in the ceremony. Symbolizing the warrior, the sword was blessed then girded on in front of the bishops. Later in the ceremony, the king offered his sword to God, and only the most loyal of earls carried the naked sword to the altar.