A very fine analysis of the long history of changes over the centuries.
Reading your writings always makes sense and it was such a pleasure to stand next to you at the Book signing in Pasadena earlier this year. Thank you for existing and being blessed with such reading and writing skills which ultimately have made my life far more interesting than I ever dreamed possible. Your a good man, Dan Jones, Historian.
I have little interest in the Coronation. I will be more interested in Brechin vs Spartans in the Scottish League 2 playoff. It promises to be a cracker.
On Saturday a vastly imperfect human being is going to take an oath so sacred he needs to shield from public gaze as he says it. He will swear among other things to rise above all pricks and dedicate himself to his country, his people, and to God. And then he will go out in the world and try to do these hard things. Which, IMHO, is more than the current British govt is doing. So I’ll be up at 5 am to cheer him on. God defend the right!
Well I am going to be glued - stateside at 5 am because it’s a rare treat 🤴🏻and you all have gone to so much effort. I follow the Royal School of Needlework- what a labor of dedication and love.
Least we can do is honor it with our attention. I hope the day goes splendidly for Charles and Camilla and the nation. 🇬🇧
I don't think Charles is that arrogant to say "I am the defender of all faiths because I am King and I am God on Earth" like previous monarchs did. I think he sees it more of "I want to represent and welcome more of my countrymen, their religions, and their ideas."
Being from the states, I find it hard to believe that so many want to get rid of the traditions and ceremonies of the British Royal Families.
I’ve followed Charles (and Camilla) for a few years now on SM. He’s the hardest working monarch in the world, in constant outreach especially in the UK. He drags Camilla out regularly, her strained mild chagrin evident at times. I like them. I have a newfound appreciation for British cheese and embroidery for sure. They soldier on, his hands puffy from constant contact. Camilla’s crooked smile and oddly flattering long Nehru jackets. With all the shattering tackiness in the world, they have managed to reclaim a certain calm. I say you go, Charles and Camilla. Go get ‘em. I hope they have a little fun too. God Bless this couple. They are unique and willing in a age of storms.
My husband told my daughters that he is completely sure that my curiosity as a historian will be stronger than my laziness to get up early the eve of my birthday just to watch something on tv that personally does not interest me at all. He is right.
I've noticed that different monarchies from different countries seem to have different limits to their power. It seems that the Kings and Queen's of England were powerful but they could have had barons that would pull the leash if they needed to, even before Magna Carta. The barons would often supply the armies needed for war, but some barons may not have agreed. And, some other monarchies had absolute or almost absolute power. Do you think this gradual limiting of power is why the monarchy is still around?
I am of a different generation to you, Dan and I do remember the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. I like your phrase that the cornerstone of monarchy is duty and public service. That's why the monarchy will last a few more decades before we have a republic where duty and public service will be replaced by self serving egotism. But I won't be around to see that happen...thank God!
I hate how fascinated I am by this spectacle. Last night I was watching a show which contained a well shot and directed coronation scene. I found myself shedding a tear.
Our culture is built on the idea of not having one. (Besides regional idiosyncrasies, or bastardized versions of cultural institutions that we brought with us.) Our culture is whatever the fuck we want it to be. Which in some ways is awesome....and in other ways leaves us with way to many options. Our country was founded on ideas, not ceremony. All this to say, I can’t really weigh in on whether or not this is a big waste of money. It certainly seems so. The role of King and defender of the faith has eroded into something not even real (as far as we peasants can see). A ceremony. But the ceremony is what has me contemplating waking up at some ass backwards time to watch it.
THE CORONATION: WHAT'S THE POINT?
A very fine analysis of the long history of changes over the centuries.
Reading your writings always makes sense and it was such a pleasure to stand next to you at the Book signing in Pasadena earlier this year. Thank you for existing and being blessed with such reading and writing skills which ultimately have made my life far more interesting than I ever dreamed possible. Your a good man, Dan Jones, Historian.
I have little interest in the Coronation. I will be more interested in Brechin vs Spartans in the Scottish League 2 playoff. It promises to be a cracker.
Having never seen a coronation I'm looking forward to viewing the coronation.
It will have to after catching up with the Miami Grand Prix highlights though. 🤣
Tasty takeaways:
1. " Charles seems to want to reign omnivorously. Ecumenically. Polyamorously."
I'm not sure what this means but I love it. Sort of like a delicious song verse
and
"this is what they have been sired or hired to do."
Talk about purpose in life!
Thanks!
On Saturday a vastly imperfect human being is going to take an oath so sacred he needs to shield from public gaze as he says it. He will swear among other things to rise above all pricks and dedicate himself to his country, his people, and to God. And then he will go out in the world and try to do these hard things. Which, IMHO, is more than the current British govt is doing. So I’ll be up at 5 am to cheer him on. God defend the right!
Well I am going to be glued - stateside at 5 am because it’s a rare treat 🤴🏻and you all have gone to so much effort. I follow the Royal School of Needlework- what a labor of dedication and love.
Least we can do is honor it with our attention. I hope the day goes splendidly for Charles and Camilla and the nation. 🇬🇧
Thanks, Dan. As a historian now battling to study Theology my verdict is "just about spot on"!
Looking forward to seeing you again at Chalke Valley.
I don't think Charles is that arrogant to say "I am the defender of all faiths because I am King and I am God on Earth" like previous monarchs did. I think he sees it more of "I want to represent and welcome more of my countrymen, their religions, and their ideas."
Being from the states, I find it hard to believe that so many want to get rid of the traditions and ceremonies of the British Royal Families.
I’ve followed Charles (and Camilla) for a few years now on SM. He’s the hardest working monarch in the world, in constant outreach especially in the UK. He drags Camilla out regularly, her strained mild chagrin evident at times. I like them. I have a newfound appreciation for British cheese and embroidery for sure. They soldier on, his hands puffy from constant contact. Camilla’s crooked smile and oddly flattering long Nehru jackets. With all the shattering tackiness in the world, they have managed to reclaim a certain calm. I say you go, Charles and Camilla. Go get ‘em. I hope they have a little fun too. God Bless this couple. They are unique and willing in a age of storms.
I did enjoy reading that. Spot on.
When you compare Charles to some of his predecessors like most of the Edwards and Henrys - you can’t help but be a little underwhelmed
Often it is the events occurring in the reign rather than the Monarch themselves that can define greatness (think Victoria or George 3).
In any event- good luck to him and the realm he will be ‘ruling’ over!
My husband told my daughters that he is completely sure that my curiosity as a historian will be stronger than my laziness to get up early the eve of my birthday just to watch something on tv that personally does not interest me at all. He is right.
I've noticed that different monarchies from different countries seem to have different limits to their power. It seems that the Kings and Queen's of England were powerful but they could have had barons that would pull the leash if they needed to, even before Magna Carta. The barons would often supply the armies needed for war, but some barons may not have agreed. And, some other monarchies had absolute or almost absolute power. Do you think this gradual limiting of power is why the monarchy is still around?
I am of a different generation to you, Dan and I do remember the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. I like your phrase that the cornerstone of monarchy is duty and public service. That's why the monarchy will last a few more decades before we have a republic where duty and public service will be replaced by self serving egotism. But I won't be around to see that happen...thank God!
I hate how fascinated I am by this spectacle. Last night I was watching a show which contained a well shot and directed coronation scene. I found myself shedding a tear.
Our culture is built on the idea of not having one. (Besides regional idiosyncrasies, or bastardized versions of cultural institutions that we brought with us.) Our culture is whatever the fuck we want it to be. Which in some ways is awesome....and in other ways leaves us with way to many options. Our country was founded on ideas, not ceremony. All this to say, I can’t really weigh in on whether or not this is a big waste of money. It certainly seems so. The role of King and defender of the faith has eroded into something not even real (as far as we peasants can see). A ceremony. But the ceremony is what has me contemplating waking up at some ass backwards time to watch it.
Very interesting article, thank you Dan. Will you be watching?