St Edwards Chair

St Edwards Chair

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The Coronation Chair, known historically as St Edward's Chair or King Edward's Chair, is an ancient wooden chair on which British monarchs sit when they are invested with regalia and crowned at their coronations.

Commissioned in 1296, it is one of the most precious, and famous pieces of furniture, in the world.

It has been the centrepiece of coronations, for over 700 years, in St George’s Chapel, Westminster Abbey.

The Coronation Chair was made by order of King Edward I, to enclose the famous Stone of Scone.

The Stone of Scone, was brought from Scotland to the Abbey in 1296, where it was placed in the care of the Abbot of Westminster.

The King had a magnificent oak chair made to contain the Stone, and had it elaborately decorated, with patterns of birds, foliage and animals, on a gilt background.

The figure of a king, either Edward the Confessor or Edward I, with his feet resting on a lion, was painted on the back.

The four gilt lions below were made in 1727 to replace the originals, which were themselves not added to the Chair until the early 16th century.

The Stone was originally totally enclosed under the seat, but over the centuries the wooden decoration had been torn away from the front.

There have been thirty eight coronation ceremonies for reigning monarchs, held at the Abbey.

William & Mary were crowned in one single ceremony, and Mary had a special chair made for her use, while William used the St Edwards Chair.

Edward V, one of the "Princes in the Tower" and Edward VIII, who abdicated, were never crowned.

Fourteen queen consorts, also had separate coronation ceremonies, using the chair.

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Source~WestminsterAbbey

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