St Edward’s Chair
The Coronation Chair, also referred to as St Edward’s Chair or King Edward’s Chair, is one of the most historically significant pieces of furniture in British history. It has been a key fixture in the coronation ceremonies of English and British monarchs for over 700 years. Commissioned by King Edward I in 1296, the chair was specifically designed to house the Stone of Scone, a powerful symbol of Scottish royal authority. Since 1308, it has been used at every coronation ceremony held at Westminster Abbey, making it one of the most revered objects associated with the British monarchy.
Currently housed in St George’s Chapel at Westminster Abbey, the Coronation Chair most recently played a central role in the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
A 2023 picture of the chair without the Stone of Scone, which had been repatriated to Scotland in 1996.
St Edward’s Chair is widely regarded as one of the most valuable and sacred pieces of furniture in the world, embodying centuries of tradition, political history, and royal heritage.
Origins and Early History
The Coronation Chair was created under the orders of King Edward I following his seizure of the Stone of Scone from Scone Abbey in Perthshire, Scotland in 1296. The Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, had been the traditional coronation seat of Scottish monarchs for centuries. After its removal from Scotland, Edward sought to integrate it into English coronation traditions, symbolizing England’s claim over Scotland.
Edward initially intended for the chair to be made of bronze, but he later opted for oak, and he commissioned the royal carpenter Walter of Durham to craft the piece. Completed between 1297 and 1300, the chair was originally gilded and adorned with colored glass mosaics, making it an impressive and ornate structure. Despite its initial use as a seat for the captured stone, it later became integral to the coronation ritual itself.
The Decline of Roman Britain and the Rise of Anglo-Saxon England
Evolution into a Coronation Tradition
Although not originally conceived as a coronation chair, it gradually became associated with the crowning of English monarchs. The first documented instance of its use in a coronation was the ascension of Henry IV in 1399. Before that, it is believed that monarchs sat directly on the Stone of Scone, which was placed within the chair’s cavity. However, in the 17th century, a wooden platform was added, elevating the seat above the stone.
Over time, the Coronation Chair became an essential fixture of the British coronation ceremony, symbolizing the continuity of the monarchy and its historical connections to Scotland.
The Coronation Chair was commissioned by King Edward I to house the Stone of Scone, symbolizing the union of English and Scottish royal traditions.
Modifications and Damage Over Centuries
The Coronation Chair has undergone several modifications and suffered significant damage throughout its long history:
- 16th Century Alterations – The chair’s legs were replaced by gilded lions, which have since been restored multiple times, with new heads added for George IV’s coronation in 1821.
- 18th Century Vandalism – The chair became a tourist attraction, allowing visitors, choirboys, and students from Westminster School to carve their initials and graffiti into the wooden frame. Many of these markings remain visible today.
- 19th Century Restoration – By Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887, the chair had become so worn that it was covered in brown paint in an effort to improve its appearance. This intervention obscured many of its original decorations.
- Suffragette Bomb Attack (1914) – On June 11, 1914, a bomb—believed to have been planted by suffragettes—exploded inside Westminster Abbey, damaging a corner of the chair. Although the explosion was powerful enough to be heard in the Houses of Parliament, no one was injured, and the chair was carefully restored.
- World War II Protection – In 1939, to protect it from German bombing raids, the chair was transported from Westminster Abbey to Gloucester Cathedral, where it was hidden in a vaulted recess, surrounded by sandbags.
King Charles III seated upon the chair during his coronation in 2023.
Theft of the Stone of Scone (1950)
One of the most dramatic events in the chair’s history occurred on Christmas Day 1950, when a group of Scottish nationalists broke into Westminster Abbey and stole the Stone of Scone. The stone was damaged during the theft, but it was later recovered and returned to England in time for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.
In 1996, the British government officially returned the Stone of Scone to Scotland, where it was placed in Edinburgh Castle. However, it was agreed that the stone would be temporarily returned to Westminster Abbey for future coronation ceremonies. This agreement was honored in 2023, when the stone was brought back for King Charles III’s coronation before being relocated to Perth Museum in 2024.
Recent Restoration and Preservation Efforts
By the 21st century, the chair had become extremely fragile due to its age and history of damage. To preserve it for future generations, several major restoration and conservation projects have taken place:
- 2010–2012 Conservation Work – Experts undertook cleaning and stabilization work on the chair in full view of the public at Westminster Abbey. This effort sought to remove centuries of grime, reinforce weak points, and ensure its structural integrity.
- 2023 Pre-Coronation Restoration – In preparation for the coronation of King Charles III, another round of careful conservation was performed to restore the chair’s stability and improve its appearance for the historic event.
Today, the chair is kept behind protective glass on a plinth in St George’s Chapel at Westminster Abbey, only being moved for coronation ceremonies.
Other Coronation Chairs and Thrones
In addition to the Coronation Chair, other chairs and thrones play a role in the coronation ceremony:
- Chairs of Estate – Used by the sovereign and consort for the first part of the coronation service. The 1953 Chairs of Estate, originally made for Elizabeth II, were reused in 2023.
- Thrones for Enthronement – A separate throne is used for the enthronement segment of the coronation. King Charles III and Queen Camilla used restored thrones from the 1937 coronation of King George VI.
Following coronations, these chairs and thrones are preserved in royal collections, such as those at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
The time when King George VI refused to leave the Buckingham Palace
Legacy and Significance
The Coronation Chair is far more than a piece of furniture; it is a symbol of the British monarchy’s enduring traditions. With over seven centuries of history, it has witnessed the coronation of almost every English and British monarch since 1308, including some of the most significant rulers in British history.
Its role in royal ceremonies, its connection to Scottish heritage, and its status as an artifact of immense cultural value make it one of the most treasured items in Westminster Abbey. As long as the British monarchy continues, the Coronation Chair will remain a key part of one of the most ancient and symbolic rituals of governance and power.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Coronation Chair, aka St Edward’s Chair
Who commissioned the Coronation Chair and why?
King Edward I commissioned the chair in 1296 after seizing the Stone of Scone from Scotland. It was designed to enshrine the stone, reinforcing England’s dominance over Scotland.
Edward I, commonly known as Edward Longshanks, reigned between the period of 1272 and 1307.
When was the Coronation Chair first used in a coronation?
The chair was first definitively used in the coronation of Henry IV in 1399, though it may have been associated with earlier ceremonies.
The Coronation Chair, also known as St Edward’s Chair, is an ancient wooden chair used for the coronation of British monarchs since 1308.
What modifications have been made to the chair over time?
Gilded lions were added as legs in the 16th century, a wooden platform was installed in the 17th century, and various restorations have been carried out due to damage from vandalism, a 1914 bombing, and general wear.
How was the chair protected during World War II?
To prevent damage from German air raids, the chair was moved from Westminster Abbey to a secured location in Gloucester Cathedral, where it remained for the duration of the war.
READ MORE: 10 Major Achievements of Queen Elizabeth II
What happened to the Stone of Scone in 1950?
Scottish nationalists stole the stone from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1950. It was recovered and returned in time for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.
A picture of the Coronation Chair, during the late 19th century, with the Stone of Scone in it.
Where is the Coronation Chair kept today?
The chair is housed in St George’s Chapel at Westminster Abbey, protected behind glass, and only moved for coronation ceremonies.
Was the Coronation Chair used for King Charles III’s coronation?
Yes, the chair was restored in 2023 and used for King Charles III’s coronation, with the Stone of Scone temporarily returned from Scotland for the event.
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