Spotlight on coronations
Order of Service
Find out more about the practical purpose and historical significance of orders of service for coronations.
How do the congregation know what will happen during coronations? Watch The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor, describe why the order of service is so important.
Spotlight on coronations: Order of Service
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His Majesty The King's coronation
As well as guiding people through the service, it captured two new moments for the coronation. The first was the decision for The King to pray out loud; "Grant that I may be a blessing to all thy children, of every faith and belief". The second was the shift from the traditional Homage of Peers to a Homage of the People, in which everyone was invited to join in with a pledge of allegiance if they so wished.
An order of service is a booklet that explains the structure and content of Christian services, used at everyday services as well as larger, special services such as coronations. As a guide, the order of service will include information about when the congregation are to speak and what they say, which readings from the Bible will be said and by whom, along with lyrics for hymns and any other important information. Simply put, it ensures the right things happen at the right time.
The order of service is a reminder that coronations take place within a Communion service or Eucharist. The monarch is crowned in the name of God, surrounded by prayer, and the first thing that the newly-crowned monarch does is receive Holy Communion as a sign of his dependency on God.
Although coronations take place in Westminster Abbey, it is usually the Archbishop of Canterbury who has the duty of preparing the order of service as the person who leads the ceremony, supported by the Dean of Westminster.
Look closer
Examine a drawing of King George III’s coronation within a record of the Order of Service.
Look closer
Examine a drawing of King George III’s coronation within a record of the Order of Service.
With nearly 1,000 years of coronations at Westminster Abbey, the order of service offers an accurate representation of what took place. This is one of the ways to understand the continuity and change within coronations over that time.
The structure of the coronation service has fundamentally stayed the same, and includes the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture, the crowning and the homage. However, it has adapted throughout history. The Reformation shifted the ceremony from Catholicism to Protestantism, highlighted through the introduction of spoken English within Queen Elizabeth I’s coronation. Since the Coronation Oath Act of 1689, the monarch has declared to maintain the established Anglican Protestant Church within the coronation ceremony.
Spotlight on coronations
An introduction
Let’s start with the basics. What happens at a coronation and why do they take place at Westminster Abbey? Watch this short introduction to coronations to get you up to speed.
Spotlight on coronations
Coronation Chair
Why does it matter where the monarch sits during their coronation? Watch Dr Susan Jenkins, Curator, unpack the historical and decorative features of this special chair.
Spotlight on coronations
Ampulla and spoon
What is significant about an ampulla and spoon? Watch The Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian and Almoner, explain the most symbolic and sacred part of the coronation.
Spotlight on coronations
Music
Why is music integral to coronations? Watch Peter Holder, Sub-Organist, describe its purpose within the service in this short introduction.
Spotlight on coronations
Royal regalia
Which objects feature in a coronation service? Watch Dr Tony Trowles, Head of Abbey Collection and Librarian, explain how the replica regalia are used in coronation rehearsals.
Spotlight on coronations
Coronation Theatre
Where exactly in Westminster Abbey do coronations take place? Watch Vanessa Simeoni, Head Conservator, explain the space that becomes the coronation theatre in this short introduction.
Spotlight on coronations
The Liber Regalis
How do we know what a medieval coronation would have looked like? Watch Dr Matthew Payne, Keeper of the Muniments, uncover what we know, and don’t know, about the Liber Regalis.
It’s a privilege to live and work here – the Abbey really is the heart of the country and its history.
