Crown and People

"This book is full of fascinating facts and fresh discoveries woven together into a persuasive argument for the unexpectedly extensive reach and impact of coronations. Far more than mere ceremony, coronations emerge as a unique confluence point where powers of church and state, social elite and populace, meld with monarchy; and where continuity is more remarkable than change." --Linda Woodhead MBE FBA , F. D. Maurice Professor, King's College London, UK "George Gross's book must now be the definitive history and analysis of British coronations. He gives us an exceptionally learned and fascinating account of coronations from 973 to the latest one in 2023 (which I was privileged to attend). The book is elegantly written and easy to read; Gross wears his obviously vast scholarship lightly. It will be of enormous value both to professional historians and the everyday reader -- a truly wonderful account of a wonderful ceremony." --The Rt Hon. Lord Murphy of Torfaen It is rare to write about history as it unfolds. A coronation at Westminster Abbey is at once a ceremony steeped in over a thousand years of tradition, dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period, and an event firmly of the present era. Coronations are momentous occasions when monarchy and nation take the opportunity to re-examine themselves, articulating beliefs and aspirations. Linking Crown, Church, and peoples in the union of monarch and state, they serve as vital barometers of constitutional principles and cultural values. At the heart of this event lie fundamental questions of national identity and core beliefs, with the concepts of justice and mercy shaping proceedings since the earliest traditions. Drawing on a wealth of previously unexamined archival material--and uniquely, the views of children from across the UK in 2023--this book uncovers the significance of coronations as their influence ripples outward from Westminster, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the history of the British monarchy. George Gross is a Visiting Research Fellow at King's College London, UK, and founder of the British Coronations Project there.