Westminster Abbey is known for many things. It is the site of English/British coronations and many royal weddings (including the 2011 royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.) It features The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, to mark lives lost in The Great War (and later conflicts). Not to mention countless impressive royal tombs (and not so impressive…). And of course, Poet’s Corner. But one thing stood out to me above all others at Westminster- the Coronation Chair. The Chair dates back to the thirteenth century, and has been used by all monarchs at the coronation, save for one. So, for this History Bite, let’s take a seat and chat about the Coronation Chair!
What is the Coronation Chair?
It’s not a riddle- it really is a chair. Edward I ordered it built in 1297, specifically to hold the Stone of Scone. The Stone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, had been used in Scottish coronations for centuries- Edward captured it to prevent anymore Scottish monarchs being crowned. (Clearly, it was not a great strategy…)
It is carved out of wood, and “originally it was sumptuously decorated and gilded with images of vine leaves, animals and kings” (Westminster Abbey: A Souvenir Guide, 14.) Tragically it was varnished for Queen Victoria’s coronation, and when parliament demanded an inquiry, it was further damaged when it was removed.
Why Is It Important?
The Coronation Chair is symbolically important because it is the chair the monarch is sitting in when they are crowned and invested with their regalia during the ceremony. And given that a coronation is entirely a symbolic ceremony, it is even more important as it has been a constant throughout the centuries.
Interestingly, the only monarch since 1399 to not use it was Queen Mary II in 1689. Her husband and co-monarch William III used the Coronation Chair, but given that he was the add-on, I think that Mary should have been the one to use it!
Have you seen the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey?
Cheers,
The Historian
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