Exhibit | April 19, 2023

Early Coronation Documents Feature in King’s Coronation Exhibition

Lambeth Palace Library

A copy of the first surviving English Coronation Charter, which was cited as a precedent for Magna Carta by Archbishop Stephen Langton in 1215. Dating from more than a century before Magna Carta, it was issued by Henry I.

Lambeth Palace Library is celebrating the forthcoming coronation of King Charles III through an exhibition showcasing coronation documents and religious items that have been used in Royal Coronation ceremonies going back to the Middle Ages and up to Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.

The exhibition A declaration of our hopes for the future: Coronations from the middle ages to the present day includes the Coronation Charter of Henry I, the first surviving English Coronation Charter, which was cited as a precedent for Magna Carta by Archbishop Stephen Langton in 1215. It was issued by Henry I, the youngest son of William the Conqueror, who came to the throne after the death of his brother William Rufus.  Despite his older brother Robert Curthose’s claims to the throne Henry was elected King by a group of barons at Winchester and was crowned at Westminster on 5 August 1100. In the charter issued at that time, Henry swore to maintain the freedom and privileges of the Church and rectify the injustices that had been perpetrated by his brother.

Also on show is the manuscript of the Coronation service prepared for William III and Mary II, as well as Archbishop Wake’s notes for the Coronation of George II. Other highlights include:

* A sketch of the procession usually observed in coronation of our Kings & Queens together with a Plan pointing out several new paths and their parts adjacent (London, 1761). This is part of a pamphlet arguing for a change to the route of the procession for the coronation of George III, suggesting alternatives which might be "more commodious and proper". The procession between Westminster Hall and Westminster Abbey was the only part of the ceremony visible to the general public and attracted a large crowd.

A sketch of the procession usually observed in coronation of our Kings & Queens together with a Plan pointing out several new paths and their parts adjacent (London, 1761).
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Lambeth Palace Library

A sketch of the procession usually observed in coronation of our Kings & Queens together with a Plan pointing out several new paths and their parts adjacent (London, 1761).

Admission ticket to the 1953 coronation
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Lambeth Palace Library

The Archibishop of Canterbury's admission ticket to the 1953 coronation

The form and order of the service that is to be performed and the ceremonies that are to be observed in the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (London, 1953).
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Lambeth Palace Library

The form and order of the service that is to be performed and the ceremonies that are to be observed in the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (London, 1953).

The form and order of the service that is to be performed and the ceremonies that are to be observed in the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (London, 1953) Archbishop Fisher was responsible for drawing up the Coronation Rite but did not do so alone. He was advised by a committee comprising several liturgical scholars, and Dr Alan Don, Dean of Westminster. Shown here is one of the proofs of the text of the service with annotations and corrections throughout in Fisher’s own hand. This was the nin
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Lambeth Palace Library

The form and order of the service...  open at the point where the Queen makes her Oblation (gift at the altar) and the Archbishop prays for the Duke of Edinburgh and then blesses him. 

Coronation … Ceremonial detail. Notes and Plans (London, 1953)
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Lambeth Palace Library

Coronation … Ceremonial detail. Notes and Plans (London, 1953)

* The form and order of the service that is to be performed and the ceremonies that are to be observed in the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (London, 1953). Archbishop Fisher was responsible for drawing up the Coronation Rite but did not do so alone. He was advised by a committee comprising several liturgical scholars, and Dr Alan Don, Dean of Westminster. On show is one of the proofs of the text of the service with annotations and corrections throughout in Fisher’s own hand. This was the ninth and final proof and Fisher annotated the cover with ‘Final text for printers’.

* Coronation … Ceremonial detail. Notes and Plans (London, 1953). The preamble to the volume of notes and plans on display states that it was produced "with a view to shortening of the length the ceremony … and to ensuring as far as is possible, a smooth and dignified sequence of movement." Furthermore, it states that if the participants studied it closely it would ensure that "there should be no need for haste, no confusion of movement, and plenty of room in which to move and manoeuvre." The Queen is represented by the circle with the capital S and the Archbishop by the circle with the capital C. In the left-hand margin are notes in Archbishop Fisher’s hand. 

The free exhibition runs through July 13. There will also be a display of artefacts until June 14 associated with previous Coronations, including the large banners from the 1902 coronation from which Archbishop Frederick Temple had to read the service because of his failing eyesight.

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