{"id":3670,"date":"2023-05-01T08:30:24","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T08:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/dorset-history-centre-blog\/?p=3670"},"modified":"2023-04-28T15:11:01","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T15:11:01","slug":"coronations-in-the-archives-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/dorset-history-centre-blog\/2023\/05\/01\/coronations-in-the-archives-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Coronations in the Archives – part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the 20th<\/sup> century we had five monarchs and Coronations for three. In the first of two blogs this week we will take a look at how Dorset celebrated these occasions through the archives we hold.<\/p>\n

At the start of the century, Queen Victoria, who had reigned from 1837 until her death on 22nd<\/sup> January 1901 (a reign which lasted almost 64 years, then the longest in British history) was succeeded by her son Edward.<\/p>\n

Memorial services for Queen Victoria were held all over the country and we hold an order of service for one held at St Mary\u2019s Church in Melcombe Regis:<\/p>\n

\"\"
D-2985\/1\/3<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

King Edward VII (1901-1910)<\/h2>\n

Edward was 59 when he became King Edward VII on 22nd<\/sup> January 1901, following the death of Queen Victoria. The Coronation was initially set for 26th<\/sup> June 1902, but two days beforehand it was postponed until 9th<\/sup> August, owing to Edward having appendicitis which required an emergency operation. We hold a souvenir programme, for the Coronation and celebrations in Dorchester, for Edward VII:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Edward VII served as King until his death on 6<\/span>th<\/sup> May 1910, aged 68, His body was laid in state at Westminster Hall until his burial on 20<\/span>th<\/sup> May in St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Again, we hold a copy of a memorial service that was held at St. Mary\u2019s Church, Melcombe Regis:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
D-2985\/2\/1<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

King George V (1910-1936)<\/h2>\n

Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert, The Prince of Wales, and heir apparent was proclaimed King George V following the death of his father, Edward VII, on 6th<\/sup> May 1910, with his Coronation taking place at Westminster Abbey on 22nd<\/sup> June 1911.<\/p>\n

Amongst our records, celebrating the Coronation of George V, we have an invite received by Lieutenant Francis A. Marten R.N. to the Coronation:<\/p>\n

\"\"
D-CRI\/A\/133\/8<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Souvenir Programmes; such as the one for the Coronation and Celebrations in Dorchester for George V:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Amongst the collections are also some photographs, in the Briantspuddle Village Hall Committee Archive, showing a procession held to celebrate George V\u2019s Coronation:<\/p>\n