Humanities and Arts
1651 The Last Coronation in Scotland — An Anomaly?
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GEORGE WILLIAM CULLEN GROSS
Abstract
The last Scottish coronation occurred at Scone in 1651. Charles II’s Scottish coronation has either been completely forgotten or become the subject of distorted interpretations. It has long been suggested that this coronation was a hastily arranged affair, lacking sacredness without an anointing and involving little pomp, and thus minimal cost — almost humiliating, according to one modern view. Furthermore, historians have argued that Charles both resented this ceremony and could barely have found anything joyful in it. Yet Clarendon commented that it ‘passed with great solemnity and magnificence, all men making show of joy, and being united to serve his majesty’. How can one reconcile these positions? Why has this coronation been so neglected? In many respects, it was superseded by immediate events (Charles II’s disastrous military campaign and exile) and then overshadowed at the Restoration (and by the 1661 Westminster Abbey coronation). Nevertheless, 1651 remains of tremendous significance because it was paradoxically both usual and unusual and carried implications for the other kingdoms of the British Isles and their religious systems, not just for Scotland. With the addition of financial archival material unused by previous scholars, this article adopts a fresh approach that challenges the received historiography: by seriously addressing the question of disparity, it identifies what really was anomalous and what, in fact, was far from untypical or surprising.
Key Questions
What is the focus of this study?
The study examines the coronation of Charles II in Scotland in 1651, analyzing its historical and political significance as the last coronation held in Scotland.
Why is the 1651 coronation considered an anomaly?
The coronation is seen as an anomaly because it occurred during a turbulent period of civil war and was distinct in its ceremony, symbolism, and political context compared to previous coronations in Scotland.
What were the unique aspects of the 1651 coronation?
The coronation included adjustments to traditional rituals to reflect Presbyterian values, emphasizing a covenantal relationship between the monarch and the people, rather than divine right alone.
What was the political context surrounding the coronation?
The coronation took place during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, with Scotland attempting to assert its sovereignty and religious identity under the Covenanter government while negotiating its relationship with the monarchy.
How did the coronation reflect Scotland's religious landscape?
The ceremony incorporated strong Presbyterian elements, reflecting the dominance of the Covenanter movement and their efforts to align the monarchy with their religious principles.
What was the long-term significance of this coronation?
The 1651 coronation marked the end of an era of Scottish ceremonial monarchy. It also highlighted the complexities of Scottish identity, sovereignty, and the role of religion in governance.
How does this study contribute to Scottish historical studies?
This study provides a nuanced understanding of the intersection of politics, religion, and tradition during a transformative period in Scottish history, offering fresh perspectives on the symbolic and practical implications of the coronation.
