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The greatest and most important ceremonies which have taken place in Westminster Abbey are, of course, the Coronations of our Kings and Queens, and so we will speak first of this most interesting part of the Abbey history.

Such a wonderful succession of coronations has never been seen in any other building in the world. Ever since 1066 our sovereigns have been crowned close to the spot where Edward the Confessor was first buried, and where the Saxon Harold and Norman William stood more than 800 years ago.

[D. Weller. CORONATION CHAIR, WITH SWORD AND SHIELD OF STATE.

Dean Stanley tells us that the coronation-rite of the Kings of Britain is the oldest in Europe, and that the inauguration of Aidan, King of the Dalriadic Scots, by St. Columba, in the sixth century, is the oldest ceremony of the kind in Christendom. It is good for us to remember these days of old, for it helps us to understand much better what is going on now, and teaches us the meaning of many of the solemn services and ceremonies of Church and State.