Ten centuries of monarchy

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33065, 4 November 1972, Page 11

Ten centuries of monarchy

“Monarchy 1000” is the title of the extensive celebrations which will take place in Bath from May to September next year. The beautiful Somerset city is renowned for its Roman remains and Georgian architecture, but this festival marks an event which occurred mid-way between these periods — the thousandth anniversary of the coronation of Edgar as the first King of all England at Bath in 973 A.D.

The programme will open will a cavalcade of 1000 years of kings and queens—a spectacular procession and presentation to be followed by an opening ball, and dancing in the streets. A focal point of the celebrations will be “Sovereigns,” a major exhibition covering many aspects of 10 centuries of monarchy. This will be

staged in the eighteenth century Octagon by London’s Royal College of Art. There will also be an exhibition entitled “The World of the Saxon Kings” in the Holburne of Menstrie Museum. Other events will include a military musical pageant, wine tastings, a flower festival, lectures, folk dancing, a visit from the Royal Ballet, and a variety of exhibitions are planned — including a major International Art Treasures Exhibition at the Assembly Rooms from August 11 to September 8. The celebrations will include the annual Bath Festival (May 25-June 3), one of Britain’s most important musical events, which has the composer and conductor Sir Michael Tippett as its director. Bath is 106 miles west of London.