Church of England Record Society AGM and Lecture

Philip Williamson presents ‘Royal prayers: Henry VIII to Charles III’.

For five centuries, the Church of England has prayed for the sovereign and for members of the royal family. This lecture will consider the types, purposes and alterations in these prayers for royalty, in The Book of Common Prayer, in prayers before sermons, and in special prayers and special services. Prayers before sermons long remained important as assertions of the royal supremacy, and the prayers for the royal family in the Book of Common Prayer in defining the royal succession. Both could act as tests of loyalty, or be a focus for discontent with the monarch or church leaders. While special services and prayers reinforced the early modern sacralisation of the monarchy, in modern times they have honoured the new value of the sovereign for the Church of England.

Professor Philip Williamson is Emeritus Professor of Modern British History at Durham University. He is the author of several books on modern British history, and co-editor of National Prayers: Special Worship since the Reformation (4 volumes, Church of England Record Society, 2013-2025).

Please note the AGM will begin at 16:00 and the lecture will begin at 17:00.

All are welcome, but those wishing to attend should book a free ticket via Eventbrite or email archives@churchofengland.org no later than Thursday 3 July.

Please note that tickets must be booked individually for security purposes.