Medieval Origins of Coronations
Gone Medieval
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The First Fully Documented Coronation in English History
The account of this coronation is the first to describe the event in detail rather than being an order of service. The Bishop of Durham traditionally stands on the monarch's right side and the Bishop of Bath and Wells on their left. That's been the case since at least 1189 so we're witnessing over 800 years of tradition here too. Howdon records that Richard was stripped except for his shirt and britches and his shirt was torn apart at the shoulders. Later coronations would see the use of a specially created shirt with ties in the spots to be anointed that were undone and then neatly re-tied.
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