Lambeth Palace Library
The National Library & Archive
of the Church of England
- Library /Exhibition ClosurePlease note that both the Library and the exhibition are closed on Monday 29 May for the Bank Holiday and on Tuesday 30 May because of a National Church Institutions closure day.
‘A declaration of our hopes for the future’
Coronations from the middle ages to the present day
To mark the coronation of King Charles III, this exhibition will show material from the Lambeth Palace Library collections relating to previous coronations, from the coronation of Henry I in 1100 to that of Elizabeth II in 1953. Highlights include the Coronation Charter of Henry I, the manuscript coronation service prepared for William III and Mary II, Archbishop Wake’s notes for the coronation of George II, a letter from George VI thanking Archbishop Lang for his part in the coronation ceremony, and the Bible upon which Elizabeth II swore her coronation oath.
In conjunction with this exhibition, until 13 June, there will also be a display of artefacts associated with previous coronations, including the cope and mitre worn by Archbishop Fisher in 1953 and the large banners from the 1902 coronation from which Archbishop Frederick Temple had to read the service because of his failing eyesight.
This free exhibition will run from 12 April to 13 July 2023 at Lambeth Palace Library.
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