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Did you know? Westminster Abbey has been the Coronation Church since 1066

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - 10:15

Westminster Abbey has been the Coronation Church since 1066, when William the first was crowned. Since then, 39 coronations and 40 monarchs were crowned in this historic building.

Image credit - Westminster Abbey

Mary The first was the first Queen Regnant to be crowned, and she certainly put her stamp on the ceremony which took place on the 1st October 1553. She had doubts whether the holy oil, which had been used in coronation during the previous 150 years, had lost its strength. Therefore a fresh supply blessed by the Bishop of Arras was obtained.

Image credit - Westminster Abbey

Mary also didn’t like the idea of being crowned in the same chair as her Protestant brother, Edward the sixth. So a different chair was supplied and blessed by the Pope. Mary is buried in a vault in the Abbey’s Lady Chapel.