Coronation Celebrations Through The Years - Suffolk Archives Remembers
To mark the forthcoming Coronation of King Charles III we have delved into our collections to discover some wonderful, Suffolk related coronation treasures from over the years.
A coronation ceremony for, successively, the monarchs of England and Scotland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom can be traced back more than 1,000 years.
The contemporary form of the coronation dates from 1902, when King Edward VII was crowned. This consists of a state procession from Buckingham Palace to the Abbey, another procession inside, the Recognition, the Anointing, the Coronation Oath, the Homage and finally another procession from the Abbey back to the Palace.
Elizabeth II - 1953 - 2022
A watercolour of a coronation window display at Cowell's Ipswich premises 1953 - HC439/B/E/3/38
A stand ticket in Piccadilly for the Coronation of Elizabeth II issued to Dr P Weiner of Ipswich - HD2272/335/21D2272/335/21).
The ticket came with the attached advice to ticket holders and was sent in May 1953. Note that guests arriving by car are asked to obtain a ‘Windscreen Label’ by writing to the Commissioner of Police, New Scotland Yard. That’s personal service! - HD2272/335/21
2 June 1953
A poster for an afternoon of Coronation celebrations at Eyke, including a fancy dress competition with cash prizes - FC171/A1/1
Knodishall Coronation Committee reached out to their local people displaced on military service.
They sent ‘21 members of Her Majesty’s Forces’ postal orders for 10 shillings each’.
Remarkably, the archives contain 21 thank you letters.
The recipients of the gift were posted all over the UK and abroad, including some on active service in the Korean War.
A selection of thank you letters to the Knodishall Coronation Committee.
A booklet commemorating the part Stephen Walters and Sons from Sudbury played in manufacturing the silk that was used in Elizabeth II Coronation robes - from our Local Studies Collection at West Suffolk Archives.
George VI - 1936 -1952
A national cover of the Radio Times dated 7 May 1937, celebrating the Coronation of George VI - FC25/C/2/6 (Part)
The official programme for Coronation celebrations in Stowmarket for George VI - HD412/9
12 May 1937
Details of Woodbridge Civic Procession, for the Coronation of George VI, including order of procession and route through the town - FC25/C/2/6 (Part)
Programme cover for Coronation Festivities in the Borough of Lowestoft. 12 May 1937-1147/35/5/19/3
Programme of activities for Woodbridge Coronation Festivities, 12 May 1937 - FC25/C/2/6 (Part)
This invitation to Lord de Saumarez is for the Coronation of George VI. It has a detailed map printed on the back with directions for entering Westminster Abbey - HA93/SA/3/6/35/1
George V - 1910 -1936
22 June 1911
Grundisburgh Coronation Festival - An afternoon church service followed by a programme of sports, afternoon tea and dancing. Entertainment includes open gardens at the Hall, music by the village brass band and fireworks.
22 June 1911
Grundisburgh Coronation Festival - Statement of Accounts. The event cost nearly £60 to stage and the accounts show how it was funded by public subscription - EG32/A4/1
22 and 23 June 1911
The front cover of the Coronation Programme for King George V for the Borough of Southwold - 491/310/92
Festivities included a People's Dinner in the High Street, merry sports on the common for children and a fancy cycle parade with a prize for the best decorated cycle.
The front of the invitation to attend the Coronation of King George V sent to The Honourable James de Saumarez - HA93/3/6/14
Edward VII - 1901 -1910
Pages from the Coronation Programme for King Edward VII from the Borough of Beccles. The programme shows the lyrics to a Children's Coronation Song printed by permission of Messrs. Novello and Co., Ltd. - HD1227/2/2/2/4/2
An invitation to the Coronation of Edward VII - HA93/SA3/5/1/23
Below - Coronation pin badges intended as souvenirs of the Coronation of Edward VII. Note the guaranteed English manufacture and workmanship - FC/C2/4
The Coronation day for Edward VII was set for 26 June 1902. The King unfortunately developed appendicitis a few days beforehand which resulted in life threatening peritonitis. He very reluctantly agreed to postpone the coronation. 9 August was chosen as the new date. By then he was much recovered and the service proceeded as planned. Ipswich Borough Council produced hasty amendments to their programme with a red overprint - HD2272/335/6
The back of the amended programme is crossed through in red - HD2272/335/4
Coronation day was set for 26 June 1902 but was postponed at short-notice due to the King’s appendicitis. This necessitated a hasty rescheduling of events.
The children invited to the Coronation breakfast in Woodbridge were implored to “keep their breakfast tickets clean, in honour of their King”, whilst they awaited his recovery - FC25/C2/4l
The front of the Coronation Breakfast ticket. This one was kept nice and clean - FC25/C2/4l
Woodbridge went to town on the festivities, although revellers were cautioned not to let off fire-crackers in the streets during processions.
The programme began at 6am with an official Morning Call and concluded with a night-time Bonfire and Fireworks on the Fen Meadow - FC25/C2/4
This thank you from His Majesty The King, acknowledges his illness that caused the occasion to be postponed. He describes it as a “time that my life was in such imminent danger” and expresses his gratitude to “Divine Providence for having preserved my life” - FC25/C2/4
Victoria - 1837 -1901
Gold printed edition of The Sun newspaper. The back page features anecdotes from previous coronations and descriptions of the Coronation Robes and Crown jewels. Note that the Coronation Comb is valued at zero, despite rumours that it dates to Edward the Confessor - HD14/7/4
William IV - 1830 -1837
Certificate for Earl Marshall’s Gold Staff Officer 1831 - HD414/3/1
John Muskett Esquire was appointed by these orders as a Gold Staff Officer to the Earl Marshal.
George IV - 1820 -1830
From the Stradbroke Collection: Order concerning The Robes, Coronets which are to be worn by the peers. Page 2 is interesting: It declares that craftsmen “may from Ignorance” reproduce the insignia incorrectly, and warns them to do a proper job “exactly as they are in the Margin hereof, as they will answer the contrary at their Peril” - HA11/A8/1
Built with Shorthand