OLD CORONATION CUSTOMS

Evening Star, Issue 14548, 24 April 1911, Page 4

OLD CORONATION CUSTOMS

The crowning of the Kin.g of England ha?. Ixvn accompanied by what was re-..-.irded as ihe t=till more folemn rite ot riointin- with oil, which dates from the ,I,t-- of 3 the ancient Hebrews. Ar.<\ m l-Vdrrd before the Nornuui Conquest, tiie"V"m i's(v] wa« "hallowing," or con-

'-■'-raiioii. rather linn tiiat of coronation. Rut from old words it teems that tho crrcmonv as tin n peri'jrmed at Winchester was in all essentials the same as tliat which i-.nv; takes place, in Westminster Abbev. few people .seem to be aware. that the Coronation ceremony was the only religions rite of the Anglican Chnren which escaped tho priming policy of_ the reformers, lleno its impressive ritual and LMiv.'CO'i." pageantries. 'The hfl Coronation at which every oldworld (■'.•i-cmviiv \v.-;> duly performed wn.that of King Crorze 1. 'At his (rowniii'J a Coronation lianqimt took place, there w;:.= a. procession of'piv.'iv. the h< rb stvewel Mattered iioww. and the challenge of the champion of England wan included in the ceremony. Rut.' at the Coronation of William'lV.. C.Mier-n Victoria, and King Edward these old cm-toms were for varioas reasons omit led.

However, juiicli renKiiiis that if- of deep intercut and et-itely Fplendor. The Dean and Chapter of \Yfcsf.;ninfitor claim the. v'vihi t'i 'instruct tho Sovereign in the duties of iliifi fokmn service, and on Coronation Day tho are delivered into their <:ii(-:l«.ly.

Acr-oixliii'j; to old cnf-toias £ICO is paid for the .-inoiiitiuL' oil fiuppiiod by thrt Royal apothecary. The, Coronation <-hairs aro of interest. That, of tho King k the chair of ]'ylv,;ir<] the (.'on feasor, iifod_by every KriljVh Sovereign: tdn-ce the time of tdward I!. It is of oak, and recovered wth. J're.sh crimcon velvet on each occasion. L'cneath it, is placed tho stone of deeliny. an ancient relic which cimo originally from Ireland.