The Origins of the Coronation

The first coronation of an English king, it's in 925 with Athelstan. If we look at the anointing, it goes back even further to Edgar Freeth of Mercier. The ritual of the Archbishop of Canterbury overseeing the ceremony and the bishops accompanying the king goes back to Edgar 973. We'll hear the echo of Solomon's anointing in Handel's famous anthem Zay Doctor Priest and Nathan the Prophet.