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The Throne: 1,000 Years of British Coronations
The eventful history of British coronations from 1066 to the present day.
From the crowning of Charles III, thirty-nine coronations have been held in Westminster Abbey since the Norman Conquest. Only two monarchs – Edward V and Edward VIII – were uncrowned, and a further twenty or so Scottish monarchs were crowned elsewhere, usually at either Scone Abbey or Holyrood Abbey.
In The Throne , Ian Lloyd turns his inimitable, quick-witted style to these key events in British royal history, providing fascinating anecdotes and interesting William the Conqueror’s Christmas Day crowning, during which jubilant shouts were mistaken by his guards as an assassination attempt; the dual coronation of William and Mary in 1689; the pared-back ‘Half Crown-ation’ of William IV; and the televised spectacle of Elizabeth II’s 1953 ceremony.
Detailing everything from the famous Coronation Chair made for Edward I and the Crown Jewels to the infamously uncomfortable Gold State Coach – this is a truly spectacular celebration of British culture and the ultimate pomp of royalty.
From the crowning of Charles III, thirty-nine coronations have been held in Westminster Abbey since the Norman Conquest. Only two monarchs – Edward V and Edward VIII – were uncrowned, and a further twenty or so Scottish monarchs were crowned elsewhere, usually at either Scone Abbey or Holyrood Abbey.
In The Throne , Ian Lloyd turns his inimitable, quick-witted style to these key events in British royal history, providing fascinating anecdotes and interesting William the Conqueror’s Christmas Day crowning, during which jubilant shouts were mistaken by his guards as an assassination attempt; the dual coronation of William and Mary in 1689; the pared-back ‘Half Crown-ation’ of William IV; and the televised spectacle of Elizabeth II’s 1953 ceremony.
Detailing everything from the famous Coronation Chair made for Edward I and the Crown Jewels to the infamously uncomfortable Gold State Coach – this is a truly spectacular celebration of British culture and the ultimate pomp of royalty.
- GenresHistory
248 pages, Hardcover
Published April 6, 2023
22 people want to read
About the author
Ian Lloyd
68 books4 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Ian Lloyd has been a professional writer and photographer for nearly two decades, producing illustrated articles for Britain’s leading newspapers and magazines, as well as syndicating material to over 30 countries.
During this period he has photographed every member of the Royal Family as well as iconic figures from Nelson Mandela and Elizabeth Taylor to the Dalai Lama.
Ian was born in Lymm, Cheshire. He has a degree in Medieval and Modern History from the University of Nottingham as well as diplomas in photography, management and bookselling.
After graduating he became a retail manager for Blackwell’s, the prestigious Oxford-based bookselling group, going on to become Training Officer for the group’s 70 shops.
Ian Lloyd has been a professional writer and photographer for nearly two decades, producing illustrated articles for Britain’s leading newspapers and magazines, as well as syndicating material to over 30 countries.
During this period he has photographed every member of the Royal Family as well as iconic figures from Nelson Mandela and Elizabeth Taylor to the Dalai Lama.
Ian was born in Lymm, Cheshire. He has a degree in Medieval and Modern History from the University of Nottingham as well as diplomas in photography, management and bookselling.
After graduating he became a retail manager for Blackwell’s, the prestigious Oxford-based bookselling group, going on to become Training Officer for the group’s 70 shops.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 1, 2023
This book contains short entries about coronations of rulers from William I to Elizabeth II—not, as the title suggests, all rulers of Britain, but for over half of the time rulers of England. It also doesn’t contain the first few rulers of England, which is confusing (I guess it really wanted to stay within 1,000 years). Anyway, I think it’s meant more as a souvenir type book for the new coronation rather than anything else, so there’s that…
November 11, 2023
This was actually really entertaining and fascinating. Strongly recommend. It’s well written, and well formatted. Each chapter (covering a coronation) is short and to the point, consisting of a few paragraphs explaining the historical context of that monarch, then a page or two describing the coronation. Believe it or not, no two are the same. What I found fascinating is how the traditions and processes used in contemporary coronations evolved.
However… This loses a BIG mark because in the effort to get this published in time for King Charles’ coronation earlier this year, it appears the book was not edited. The editing is TERRIBLE. I think the publishers really need to take a good hard look at themselves for this.
However… This loses a BIG mark because in the effort to get this published in time for King Charles’ coronation earlier this year, it appears the book was not edited. The editing is TERRIBLE. I think the publishers really need to take a good hard look at themselves for this.
April 10, 2023
Interesting Small biographies about each monarch's coronation from William the Conquerer to Elizabeth II
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews