The Coronation

THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III today has roots in ancient Israelite and ancient Near Eastern traditions, with many fascinating and sometimes surprising cultural pathways and byways. Here is some coverage:

The Jewish traditions behind pomp of Charles III’s big day. The coronation of King Solomon provides the template for Saturday's ceremony (Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, The Jewish Chronicle).

The coronation this Saturday will no doubt be seen around the world as an example of British pageantry and pomp at its best. But few will realise its quintessential Jewish roots.

From Saul to David, Jews always did a good coronation. Charles will emerge, as did King Saul, no longer the man he was (Howard Jacobson, The Jewish Chronicle).

Will they play Zadok the Priest at the coronation? Origins of the Champions League anthem and who wrote it. ‘Zadok the Priest’ was composed by George Frideric Handel for the coronation of King George II in 1727 (Alex Finnis, i news)

Long live the King… of Kings! Accession ritual in ancient Persia. As we look towards the coronation ceremony that will unfold in Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May, Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones considers how other monarchs in history have been ordained and explores the enthronement rituals of ancient Persia (The British Museum Blog; for the author, cf. here and here).

The Christian symbolism in the coronation regalia is laid out in detail here:

Coronation rite imbued with ancient symbolism. William Gulliford explains the significance of the coronation regalia (Church Times)

Congratuations and best wishes to King Charles and the British people.

UPDATE (13 May): More here. Aramaic at the coronation.

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