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The Origins of British Coronations

British Coronations





King Edgar and St Dunstan

What is a Coronation?:  A coronation is a ceremony at which a person is made king or queen. It is is the public handing over of title and powers to a new monarch, usually with great pomp and celebration. The ceremony of the crowning a sovereign or a sovereign’s consort.

Coronations date back a number of centuries. The origins of the coronation of the British monarch lie with King Edgar the Peaceful or the Peaceable (c. 943 – 8 July 975). Edgar was crowned at Bath on 11 May 973 with his wife Ælfthryth some 14 or 15 years after he became King. Thus a precedent for a coronation of a queen in England also took place.

This imperial ceremony was to celebrate his reign, rather than a celebration of appointment and this was the start of the idea of the need to gain popular support for a new monarch from other contemporary regional reigning monarchs through acts of celebration. The ceremony was devised by Saint Dunstan based on ceremonies used by the Frankish kings and those used in the ordination of bishops. Several versions of coronation services, known as ordines or recensions have since evolved over time since then.

Pomp & Ceremony

Richard II
Coronation of Richard II

The 1377 coronation of 10 year old Richard II saw the evolution of the coronation to one which also sought to gain popular support for a new monarch from the general populous by making the ceremony a spectacle of pageantry for the ordinary people. The acts of public relations and regional diplomacy were both embellished with theatrics together.

The Anglo-Saxon monarchs used various locations for their coronations. These included Bath, Kingston upon Thames, London, and Winchester. The last Anglo-Saxon monarch, Harold II (c. 1022 – 14 October 1066), was crowned at Westminster Abbey on ‎6 January 1066. William the Conqueror, after successfully defeating Harold at the battle of Hastings (October 14, 1066), followed what had now become English tradition and was also crowned at Westminster Abbey the same day he became king on Christmas Day 1066. Since then the majority of coronations have taken place at Westminster Abbey.

Scottish Coronation Origins

Scottish coronations were traditionally held at Scone Abbey, with the king seated on the Stone of Destiny (Lia Fail). A few Scottish coronations were held at Holyrood, Kelso Abbeys, Stirling Castle and Kirk of the Holy Rude, Stirling. The Scottish coronations originated from rituals used by the kings governing parts of western Scotland and northeastern Ireland, on each side of the North Channel as well as and by the Picts from whom the Stone of Destiny came. It is probable the earliest coronation or inauguration was that of Aidan by Columba in 574.

James I Coronation

When James VI of Scotland became James I of England and Ireland, the Scottish and English crowns were unified on 24 March 1603.  Charles I and Charles II had two coronations, one in Scotland and one in England in different years. All monarchs that have followed have only had one coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The presiding senior cleric of the coronation has usually been a bishop or archbishop. Since James VI and I the roles and responsibilities for officiating at the ceremony has been fulfilled by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Other ceremonial roles are performed by clergy and members of the nobility.

In general, the coronation usually takes place several months after the death of the previous monarch, in order to provide sufficient time for respectful mourning and time for organising such elaborate arrangements. The coronation of a monarch is considered a happy/joyous occasion thanks to King Edgar and those that followed.

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How to Start Researching Your Genealogy

1. Begin With Yourself

  • Start by recording your own full name, date, and place of birth.
  • Document your parents’ and grandparents’ full names, birth, marriage, and death details, working one generation at a time from the known to the unknown.
  • Use family tree charts or pedigree forms to organize this information.

2. Gather Family Documents and Stories

  • Collect birth, marriage, and death certificates, family bibles, photographs, letters, and other personal documents.
  • Interview relatives to capture oral histories, family stories, and details that may not be recorded elsewhere.
  • Ask about places of residence, occupations, military service, and any migration or immigration stories.

3. Organize and Record Your Findings

  • Keep detailed notes on where each piece of information comes from, even if it’s just from a relative’s memory.
  • Use genealogy software or online family tree builders (such as FamilySearch or Ancestry) to store and organize your research.

4. Research Official Records

  • Search for official records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, census records, immigration records, and military records.
  • Libraries, archives, and online databases (like Trove, Findmypast, Ancestry, and FamilySearch) are valuable resources for historical documents and newspapers.

5. Work Systematically and Verify Information

  • Always work backwards, verifying each generation before moving further back in time.
  • Avoid making assumptions or jumping to conclusions without documentation.
  • Record both successful findings and negative searches to avoid repeating work.

6. Connect With the Community

  • Join genealogy societies, attend workshops, or participate in online forums for advice and support.
  • Local libraries and historical societies often provide access to subscription databases and additional resources.

7. Continue Learning

  • Consult guides, attend webinars, and read articles to improve your research skills and learn about new resources.

Key Tips for Beginners

  • Start with what you know and build outwards, verifying each step.
  • Talk to family members early; memories and stories can be lost over time.
  • Use a combination of online resources, official documents, and personal interviews for the most accurate results.
  • Stay organized and document your sources to make your research reliable and repeatable.

By following these steps, you can systematically and effectively begin your genealogy research, building a family history that is both meaningful and accurate.