The Coronation of King George II, 1727: The Entrance to The Recognition

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The King's Consort, Robert King & King's Consort Choir

George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Hanover) and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 (O.S.) until his death. He was the last British monarch to have been born outside Great Britain, and was famous for his numerous conflicts with his father and, subsequently, with his son. As king, he exercised little control over policy in his early reign, the government instead being controlled by Great Britain's parliament. Before that, most kings possessed great power over their parliaments. He was also the last British monarch to lead an army in battle (at Dettingen, in 1743).

George II succeeded to the throne on his father's death on 11/22 June 1727. His father was buried at Hanover, but George decided not to go, which far from bringing criticism led to praise from the English who considered it proof of the new King's fondness for Britain. George was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 11/22 October. The Hanoverian composer Händel was commissioned to write four new anthems for the coronation; one of which, Zadok the Priest, has been sung at every coronation since.


IV. The Entrance:
i. I was glad when they said unto me (Henry Purcell)

V. The Recognition:
i. God Save King George
ii. Trumpet Fanfare
iii. Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened, HWV 259 (G.F. Handel)


During this anthem (I was glad when they said unto me) the King and Queen pass through the main body of the Abbey, on through the choir, and up the steps to their positions at the east end where they sit in chairs placed in front of, and below, the two thrones. They make their private devotions. After the anthem is finished, the Archbishop (accompanied by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Great Chamberlain, Lord High Constable and Earl Marshal) presents the new King to the people, asking if they are willing to pay their homage to their monarch. The Archbishop is answered first by the assembled bishops, and then by the peers and nobles, who 'signify their willingness and joy by loud and repeated acclamations, all with one voice crying out "God save King George"'. Again, the trumpets sound a fanfare in a royal salute.

At this point Archbishop Wake expected Handel's new setting of The King Shall Rejoice, but was mightily put out (penning 'the anthem of Confusion') when the choir and orchestra actually performed Let thy hand be strengthened. The smallest-scaled of Handel's four new anthems, with a scoring which acquired no trumpets or timpani, Handel's text was well suited for this point in the service: its purposeful, positive opening movement contrasts with the gloriously eloquent middle movement 'Let justice and judgement' before the fine concluding 'Alleluia'.

During the anthem, the Bible, paten and chalice are carried to the altar by three bishops, a procession of noblemen carry the regalia to the Archbishop, who in turn hands them to the Dean of Westminster who places them to the altar. Meanwhile the King and Queen move to their faldstools -- the two movable prayer desks at which they will kneel during the singing of the litany.