madamelamarquys: † Today in History - The coronation of Elizabeth Woodville {26th May 1465} ↳

madamelamarquys:†Today in History - The coronation of Elizabeth Woodville {26th May 1465}↳ A splendid procession had been organised for the coronation of the new Queen-Consort, Elizabeth Woodville. Not only was this a great cause for public celebration, but a much needed stamp of legitimacy, to cement the status of Elizabeth as the rightful wife and Queen of Edward and thus firmly place her children in the position as the true heirs to the English throne. Traditionally, the coronation of a consort was a much more simple affair than that of the King himself, requiring much less preparation and grandeur. However, the King was keen for his wife to make an impression that lasted on the people of England.  Three days prior to the event itself, Elizabeth was brought to the Tower in a barge from Greenwich, escorted by many of the great lords of England during her journey across the water. There she was received in the graces of the King, with all the guns that the Tower could muster firing in a salute to herald her advance. Upon the advent of yesterday, the second Tuesday of January, was Elizabeth Woodville then escorted from the Tower of London to Westminster, riding in the good company of the greatest of the realm’s peers: Aumerle, Norfolk, Exeter, Suffolk and Gloucester were among those who accompanied the Queen’s chariot, which was closely followed by many prominent ladies either travelling by the same method or upon horseback. Before arriving at the palace itself, the would be Queen was greeted by the Mayor of London and the cities’ Aldermen, who presented her with a great gift - a golden purse filled likewise with a great number of golden angel coins. Then she arrived upon Westminster Palace, and was left there that night. Upon the following day did the Queen and all her ladies depart to the Abbey with a procession, clad in rich scarlet gowns trimmed with ermine or edged with Baltic fur. Waiting within were all the lords of England clad in their parliament robes, as well as at least half of the bishops of the realm. In an elaborate service was a fabulous coronet laid about the brows of Elizabeth Woodville by the Archbishop of Canterbury himself, with the holy ointments administered. Watching from afar was the King himself; traditionally, he was not allowed to take part in this separate coronation. As the ceremony finished, mass was taken within the Abbey, to signify the glorious processes end. The Queen would then depart back to the palace, two ornate staves in hand, followed by all the peers present to take part in a great feast at the king’s expense. -- source link

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