Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Friday, 5 May 2023

Three Hanoverian Coronations


The History of Parliament blog has had three posts about the coronations of the first three Georges which indicate the often confused or chaotic proceedings at eighteenth century ceremonies.

The illustrated articles can be seen at 

The account of the coronation of King George III omits the two stories I have long known about it. Firstly one of the principal jewels fell out of the King’s crown, which after 1776 some interpreted as an augury of the loss of the American colonies. Secondly, after proceedings were going awry, the Deputy Earl Marshal, the Earl of Effingham ( the Duke of Norfolk as a Catholic could not discharge his hereditary office ) assured the King that he would get the next coronation right. The twenty three year old monarch was much amused at this and got Lord Effingham to repeat his remark several times to others, which he did without realising its maladroitness…

My gratitude to the Special Correspondent for forwarding the link to me.


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