Coronation

A Coronation is a ceremony held to crown a King and/or Queen. Coronations are, historically, grand events with great pomp and pagentry.

The coronation customs of various nations in period are widely varied, but most involved a public (and often religious) acknowledgement of the ruler's right to power.

Elements of Coronation

Anointing

Anointing involves having some part of the king's body being touched by a finger or piece of cloth which has been dipped in holy oil. It was originally a Hebrew practice. It was adopted by Pippin the Short as a symbol of the papal, and therefore divine, blessing of his reign.

Raising upon a shield

Being raised on a shield is a symbol originated with tribal chiefs. It symbolises that the leader is a first among equals, and whose rule is dependant on those who support him. It was used by the Franks in the coronation of Clovis, and may also have been used as late as that of Pippin the Short.

Coronations in the SCA

SCA coronations are usually held at events specifically set up to be coronations. However, since most kingdoms have two coronations a year, the coronation itself is often low-key.

Most coronations involve the previous rulers stepping down and the new rulers taking the throne, followed by oaths of fealty from peers and populace. A public reading of new laws and goals for the reign then occurs, and the coronation ends with a procession. Kingdom business tends to wait until the first court after coronation (some wags in Ealdormere refer to the first court as "taking the shine off the hat").