Elizabeth I’s coronation procession from the Tower of London

The Procession Departs

At 14.00 on Saturday 14 January 1559, Queen Elizabeth I “marched from the towre to passe through the citie of London towarde Westminster, richely furnished, & most honorably accompanied…”. The Queen’s coronation took place the next day in Westminster Abbey, the traditional setting for coronations since William the Conqueror’s in 1066.

While many historic coronation rituals and celebrations survive to this day, the procession from the Tower of London has not. These processions were amazing spectacles allowing the people of London to both show their support for the new monarch and hint at the qualities they expected in return.

Setting off from the Tower of London, Elizabeth followed in the footsteps of her mother, Queen Anne Boleyn, who had made the same journey on 31 May 1533. Indeed, Anne was pregnant with Elizabeth at the time. One wonders if Elizabeth thought such a day would ever come for her. A queen who would become famous for her sartorial splendour, was dressed in a recycled gold and silver robe which had belonged to her sister Mary. Although at least she had a new bodice made for it.

Elizabeth was accompanied by “gentilmen, Barons, & other the nobilitie of this realme, as also with a notable trayne of goodly and beawtifull ladies, richly appoynted.” The Queen wore her hair down, a golden circlet on her head, and sat upon a cloth of gold cushion on a litter. Above her head was a canopy supported by the four Barons of the Cinque Ports. This was travelling in serious style.

Marvellous Pageants

As the Queen made her way through the streets of London, she was met by a richly dressed child, accompanied by musicians, who welcomed her on the city’s behalf. Elizabeth then encountered a series of spectacular pageants. These were elaborate theatrical stages upon which were acted out little plays.

The first, at Gracechurch Street, was rather incredible. A huge stage spanned the street depicting the Queen’s lineage on three tiers. On the lowest, two actors played Henry VII and Elizabeth of York encircled by huge red and white roses. Above them an actor portraying Henry VIII was seated next to another as Anne Boleyn. At the top was portrayed Queen Elizabeth herself enthroned and wearing an imperial crown. The Queen had arrived, and her people were glad.

The next, at Cornhill, depicted the Queen upon a throne supported by seven actors playing virtues (Pure Religion, Love of Subjects, Wisdom and Justice). These were trampling upon eight more actors who played vices (Superstition, ignorance, Rebellion, Insolence, Folly, Vain Glory, Adulation, and Bribery etc.). The City was not being shy about promoting the sort of monarch they were hoping for. The next pageant, at Soper Lane, in a similar vein presented eight children playing the eight blessings of God.

Celebration and Symbolism

It’s hard for us to imagine the splendour, noise, and excitement of these early coronation processions. Trumpets and drums filled the air. The streets were hung with precious fabrics and fountains ran with wine. The fantastical pageants and their performers towered above all. At the heart of the proceedings was the monarch in almost unimaginable splendour. But it wasn’t just about showing off.

The whole procession and its pageants were drenched in symbolism. As Elizabeth was met with seemingly unanimous joy and good wishes, she surely pondered how deep their loyalty ran. As Elizabeth gazed at the miraculous pageants, she would also have interpreted their meaning too. The final depiction of the Queen in Parliamentary robes surrounded by her people was perhaps a reminder that her position was dependent on good governance and cooperation. Food for thought indeed as she took her first steps as Queen.

Charles Farris
Public Historian for the History of the Monarchy
HM Tower of London

Suggested Further Reading

Alice Hunt, The Drama of Coronation: Medieval Ceremony in Early Modern England (Cambridge, 2008)