29/03/2023
The exhibition, “A declaration of our hopes for the future’: Coronations from the middle ages to the present day”, will be the latest Church of England exhibition to celebrate the King’s coronation. York Minster currently has an exhibition showcasing Royal treasures from the cathedral’s historic collection.
The Lambeth Palace Library exhibition will be open to the public from 12 April to 13 July*. It will show material from the Lambeth Palace Library collections relating to previous coronations, from the coronation of Henry I in 1100 to Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.
Highlights include the Coronation Charter of Henry I, the manuscript of the Coronation service prepared for William III and Mary II; Archbishop Wake’s notes for the Coronation of George II; a letter from George VI thanking Archbishop Lang for his part in the coronation ceremony; and the Bible upon which Elizabeth II swore her Coronation oath.
There will also be a display of artefacts until 14 June associated with previous Coronations, including the cope and mitre worn by Archbishop Fisher in 1953, and the large banners from the 1902 coronation from which Archbishop Frederick Temple had to read the service because of his failing eyesight.
*This exhibition runs from 12 April to 13 July 2023 and can be visited 9:30 to 17:00 Monday to Friday and Saturday 13 May, 3 June and 8 July from 10:00 to 17:00. The Library and exhibition will be closed on 4-5 May.
Lead image is 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.
Find out more about the exhibition and the collection on display.
This exhibition runs from 12 April to 13 July 2023 and can be visited 9:30 to 17:00 Monday to Friday. Saturday 13 May, 3 June and 8 July from 10:00 to 17:00. Please note, the Library and exhibition will be closed on the 4 and 5 May.