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  • History / Coronations at the Abbey / Spotlight on coronations / The Liber Regalis
    • History of Westminster Abbey
    • Coronations at the Abbey
      • A guide to coronations
      • Spotlight on coronations
        • Coronation Theatre
        • The Liber Regalis
        • Order of Service
        • Coronation Chair
        • Ampulla and spoon
        • Music
        • Royal regalia
      • Queens Consort of Westminster Abbey
      • Coronation stories
      • A history of coronations
    • Royalty
      • The Abbey and the Royal Family
      • Royal weddings
    • Famous people / organisations
    • Explore our History
      • Abbey bells
      • Abbey gardens
        • Features of College Garden
      • Abbey in Wartime
      • Abbots & Deans
      • Architecture
      • Benedictine monastery
      • Britain's Oldest Door
      • Chapter House
      • Cheyneygates
      • The Cloisters
      • College Hall
      • The Coronation Chair
      • Cosmati Pavement
      • Crib
      • Funeral and wax effigies
      • High Altar
      • Icons at Westminster Abbey
      • Jerusalem Chamber
      • Lady Chapel
      • Misericords
      • Modern Martyrs
      • Nave
      • Oil paintings
      • Order of the Bath
      • Poets’ Corner
        • Poet Laureates
      • Processional banners
      • Pyx Chamber
      • The Queen Elizabeth II window
      • The Quire
      • RAF Chapel
      • Retable
      • Royal tombs
      • Stained Glass
      • Statesmen's Aisle
      • Vestments and frontals
      • Wall paintings
      • A joyful noise: the bells of Westminster Abbey
      • The Wedding of William and Kate
      • Celebrating the Commonwealth
      • Buried among the kings
      • Celebrating St Edward
      • Battle of Britain 80th
      • The Nation's Memory
      • VE Day
      • ANZAC Day
      • Thomas Brock 100th anniversary
      • A History of Royal Burials and Funerals
      • A reflection for Holy Week
      • Me and Mr Bennett
      • Portrait of a Dean
      • Bronte versus Brontë
      • The Abbey at War
  1. Home
  2. History
  3. Coronations at the Abbey
  4. Spotlight on coronations
Photograph of two pages of the Liber Regalis, the guide to the coronations, on display at Westminster Abbey. The left illumination shows a king being crowned, surrounded by members of the clergy, while the right side shows a page of medieval Latin writing with an illustrative border.

Spotlight on coronations

The Liber Regalis

Find out how a highly decorated manuscript from the 14th century has guided the understanding of coronation services at Westminster Abbey.

How do we know what a medieval coronation would have looked like? Watch Dr Matthew Payne, Keeper of the Muniments, uncover what we know, and don’t know, about the Liber Regalis.

Photograph of an open bound manuscript, the Liber Regalis, on display in Westminster Abbey. The left hand page contains medieval Latin text in red. The right hand page is an illumination of a queen being crowned, surrounded by members of the clergy.

Spotlight on coronations: The Liber Regalis

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Spotlight on coronations: The Liber Regalis

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Close-up photograph showing the paragraph about the Liber Regalis which featured in the Order of Service for the coronation of HM King Charles III.

His Majesty The King's coronation

The significance of The Liber Regalis was highlighted at the start of the Order of Service. The congregation were reminded that the "rite of Coronation in England, which is really a series of ancient rituals, has its roots in the ninth century and was codified" in this book.

© Press Association

 

The Liber Regalis, or Royal Book, is a medieval manual which explains how coronations are staged. The manuscript, which is currently on display in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey, provides ceremonial instructions and the order of service for the coronation. Similar to other 14th century manuscripts, it is written on parchment and in Latin.

Along with the informative text, this manuscript contains four beautiful full-page illuminations, three of which relate to coronations. They illustrate the act of crowning monarchs; including a king alone, a queen alone, and a king and queen together. Each monarch is surrounded by religious and secular figures, highlighting the coronation as a ceremony of both church and state.

Close-up illumination of a king and queen being crowned, surrounded by members of the clergy, from the Liber Regalis.

Look closer

Examine one of the coronation illuminations within the Liber Regalis.

Close-up illumination of a king and queen being crowned, surrounded by members of the clergy, from the Liber Regalis.

Look closer

Examine one of the coronation illuminations within the Liber Regalis.

The Liber Regalis is one of the very few books left at the Abbey after the dissolution of the monasteries in the reign of King Henry VIII. Its usefulness for people in charge of planning coronations is likely to have ensured its survival.

While there are other sources to help with planning coronations in the present, the Liber Regalis does demonstrate the core parts of the Coronation service which have always been and will continue to be essential. Although over time there have been some substantial changes, such as the shift from the service being in Latin to English, the Liber Regalis is a reminder that this Christian service has largely remained the same for hundreds of years.

Colourful illustration of the Recognition at King George IV's coronation. The coronation chair is in the centre, surrounded by members of clergy and the congregation seated in large stands within Westminster Abbey.
Photograph of multiple Coronation Order of Services at Westminster Abbey
Photograph of the Coronation Chair in St George's Chapel in Westminster Abbey
Photograph of replica ampulla, an eagle shaped container within the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey
Photograph looking up at the organ in Westminster Abbey, representing music at coronations
Photograph of the replica royal regalia, including two crowns, an orb and sceptres displayed in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey
Photograph from above of the coronation theatre, including the Cosmati Pavement, the High Altar, the top of the pulpit and an area with seating.
left-pointing arrow right-pointing arrow
An introduction

Spotlight on coronations

An introduction

Let’s start with the basics. What happens at a coronation and why do they take place at Westminster Abbey? Watch this short introduction to coronations to get you up to speed.

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Order of Service

Spotlight on coronations

Order of Service

How do the congregation know what will happen during coronations? Watch The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor, describe why the order of service is so important.

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Coronation Chair

Spotlight on coronations

Coronation Chair

Why does it matter where the monarch sits during their coronation? Watch Dr Susan Jenkins, Curator, unpack the historical and decorative features of this special chair.

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Ampulla and spoon

Spotlight on coronations

Ampulla and spoon

What is significant about an ampulla and spoon? Watch The Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian and Almoner, explain the most symbolic and sacred part of the coronation.

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Music

Spotlight on coronations

Music

Why is music integral to coronations? Watch Peter Holder, Sub-Organist, describe its purpose within the service in this short introduction.

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Royal regalia

Spotlight on coronations

Royal regalia

Which objects feature in a coronation service? Watch Dr Tony Trowles, Head of Abbey Collection and Librarian, explain how the replica regalia are used in coronation rehearsals.

Find out more

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Coronation Theatre

Spotlight on coronations

Coronation Theatre

Where exactly in Westminster Abbey do coronations take place? Watch Vanessa Simeoni, Head Conservator, explain the space that becomes the coronation theatre in this short introduction.

Find out more

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It’s very hard not to be enthusiastic working at the Abbey. If this place doesn’t make you smile I don’t know what will.

Valerie - Foundation Director

 
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