How Old Is The Coronation Chair

You think you know everything about King Charles's coronation. You've memorized all the details of the King's procession, and have four coronation quiches in your freezer. The question "How old is the Coronation Chair?" prompts reflections on the enduring symbol it has become throughout the centuries. This chair has been used to crown 26 monarchs since the coronation King Edward II, in 1308. In the beginning, the chair was commissioned by King Edward I to house the Stone of Destiny (also known as the Stone of Scone).  It was a symbol of Scotland's monarchy that King Edward I captured in 1296. Since then, it has been used in coronation ceremonies throughout England and Great Britain.
The history of the Coronation Chair or King Edward's Chair is fascinating. It is 'one the most valuable and famous pieces in the world'. The chair has undergone months of conservation before the big day, so it is only right that it receives some recognition.

How old is the coronation chair

How old is the Coronation Chair, and what tales of coronations and ceremonies does it silently hold within its ancient structure? Very. It has been watching over coronations of monarchs for 700 years.
Edward I ordered the chair at the beginning of the 14th century. It was to be used for the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny. This stone had been brought from Scotland by Edward I in 1296.

What is the appearance of a coronation chair?

The Oak piece of Furniture was constructed in such a way that the Stone of Scone could be enclosed inside. Over time, the wood has eroded exposing the stone.
On the back, a figure of a King with his feet on a Lion is featured. Originally, it was decorated with gold leaves but they have also faded over the years.
In 1727, four gilt lions replaced those that had been added to the chair in the early 16th Century.
There are a lot of graffiti on the chair's back. This is the work done by schoolboys and visitors in the 18th and the 19th centuries. A small piece of the chair is missing due to a 1914 bombing attack that was allegedly organized by Suffragettes.

Where is the chair stored?

The Stone of Scone is normally displayed in Edinburgh Castle, after it was returned to Scotland by Westminster Abbey in 1996.
The stone was transported to London, where it will be reunited specifically with the chair for Charles' big day.

Who has sat on the coronation chair?

The chair of King Edward has seen many royal rear ends. Henry IV, in 1399, was the first monarch who historians agree all sat down on it to be crowned.
Since then, all monarchs from Henry VIII onwards have sat in the wooden throne. Queen Mary II had to sit in a replica in 1689 while her husband William III used the original.

The Coronation Chair’s Design

Walter of Durham aka Master Walter handcrafted the Coronation Chair in the period between 1300 and 1301. The original purpose of the chair was to protect King Edward I's Stone of Scone, also known as Stone of Destiny, which he had acquired in Scotland. The stone dates back to biblical times and weighs 336 pounds. It was returned to Scotland. The wooden decorations that were originally attached to the seat of the chair have now fallen off. The back of the wooden seat was fully gilded with animals, birds and foliage on the front. On the back, a figure of a King was painted, with his feet propped up on a Lion.

History of the Coronation Chair

Westminster Abbey claims that the coronation chair was in use since 1308, although "opinions are divided on when it was used to crown the monarch." These are its most important historical moments.
1399Henry IV sits in the chair.
1655-1658: Westminster Abbey's chair is removed during Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorate
Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee of 1887. The chair.
This chair has been defaced with graffiti by schoolchildren and tourists. One graffiti read "P. Abbott slept on this chair, 5-6 July 1800."
1915: A bomb believed to have been planted in the chair by Suffragettes knocks off one of its corners.
1950 The chair was briefly taken by Scottish nationalists. The chair was recovered intact (including the Stone of Scone, aka Destiny), a year after it was stolen.
1996 The stone is removed from a chair and returned to Edinborough Castle in Scotland
2023: The chair will be used to crown King Charles III.
The stone will be moved from Scone Abbey in Scotland to Perth City Hall by 2024.
If you're planning to watch King Charles III get officially crowned, pay attention to the chair. Can you see Scone/Destiny Stone? The stone is believed to briefly return to the original position. This was because a condition for its return was so that it could be utilized in future British coronations. The stone may not sparkle as brightly, but its tradition is just as important and it was used for the coronation.

Conclusion:

The query "How old is the Coronation Chair?" unveils a remarkable timeline dating back to the medieval era. The Coronation Chair, a historically significant piece located in Westminster Abbey, boasts a venerable age of over 700 years. Commissioned by King Edward I, this iconic chair was completed in the year 1300. Throughout the centuries, it has served as the ceremonial seat for the coronation of numerous English monarchs, adding a palpable sense of history and tradition to this enduring piece of furniture.