CORONATION POST (1) - THE ANGLICAN CLERGY

The Coronation on 12th May 1937 proved to be a gift to the manufacturers of contemporary cigarette cards, celebrating the key players in the Coronation rituals - none more so than the senior Anglican clergy:

"Archbishop of Canterbury - Primate of all England, and taking precedence next to the Members of the Royal Family, the Archbishop of Canterbury occupies an exalted position in our national life. The first to hold the historic office was Augustine, in A.D.597; the long line of Archbishops since that date includes such famous names as Becket, Cranmer and Laud. The present Archbishop (the 97th in succession) is the Most Rev. Cosmo Gordon Lang D.D., D.C.L., L.L.D. The Archbishop of Canterbury arranges and conducts the Coronation Service and it is he who, by ancient right, performs the crowning ceremony."

"Archbishop of York - The Archbishopric of York dates from the 7th Century, when England was divided into two archepiscopal provinces. On Easter Day, A.D. 627, King Edwin of Northumberland was baptized in a small wooden church on the site of which the magnificent edifice of York Minster now stands, the ceremony being performed by Paulinus, who a few years later was consecrated first Archbishop of York. The present Archbishop (the 90th in succession) is the Most Rev. William Temple D.D., D.Litt, who was appointed in 1929. The Archbishop of York assists the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Coronation Ceremony; in 1911, the then Archbishop of York preached the Coronation sermon."

"Bishop of London - Mellitus became the first Bishop of London in AD 604. The manor of Fulham was given to a later occupant of the See, Bishop Erkenwald, about AD 691, as a residence for himself and his successors. Much of Fulham Palace as it now stands, however, was built by Fitzjames, Bishop of London from 1506 to 1522. The present Bishop, the Rt.Rev.Rt.Hon. Arthur Foley Winnington Ingram, D.D., LL.D., was appointed in 1901 and has officiated at the Coronations of King Edward VII and King George V. At the Coronation Ceremony, the Bishop of London carries the Paten - the dish upon which is borne the consecrated bread for the Holy Communion."

"Dean of Westminster - The Dean and Chapter of Westminster play a very important part in the Coronation. Their right to instruct the King and Queen in the rites and ceremonies of the Coronation has been admitted by the Court of Claims. In addition, the Dean assists the Archbishop of Canterbury during the Ceremony, and holds the Eagle Ampulla containing the oil used for the Anointing. By ancient right, the honour of putting the Coronation vestments on the King also falls to him. The present Dean of Westminster is the Very Revd. William Foxley Norris KCVO, D.D., who was appointed in 1925."

VBCW Notes : save for the Primate of All England's notable conduct during the early days of the VBCW and the famous Royalist "Drive on Canterbury", relatively little has been recorded as to the civil war careers of these notable Anglican personages - for the most comprehensive coverage, see the Solway Sourcebook, "The Anglican League". Most, no doubt, were either in prison or leading Armoured Assault Groups by 1938. Still, the above full dress uniform references are excellent!