George IV’s coronation Life during the reign of George IV (1820–1830) George IV’s coronation commenced at 11am on Below: Letter from the Herald’s Historically, coronations are 19 July 1821 at , and lasted College appointing the 4th Duke of Newcastle to carry the sword Curtana highly choreographed for five hours. Afterwards, there was a coronation at the coronation; 16 July 1821. Newcastle (Clumber) Collection, Ne C 5100 symbolic effect. The banquet in Westminster Hall. George wanted issued instructions that robes and his coronation to surpass that of coronets should be worn ‘exactly Bonaparte’s as Emperor of France in 1804 and as they are [shown]…as they spared no expense. It was the most expensive will answer the contrary at their coronation ever held in Britain, costing over Peril’. The 4th Duke of Newcastle was given the honour of carrying £230,000 (approximately £21 million today), the ceremonial sword of mercy, including a grant of £100,000 from Parliament. the curtana, a ‘pointless sword’ with a blunted tip that is part of The coronation reflected George’s self-image as a man the Crown Jewels. of fashion. He assisted in the design of some of the outfits, taking inspiration from the Tudor and Stuart Right: Newspaper cutting relating to the Coronation of King George IV, including a description of the swords and curtana, Courts. The King’s robes cost over £24,000, with a red and an account of the Coronation by Walter Scott; c.1821. Papers of the Monckton-Arundell Family, Viscounts Galway of velvet train of 6.4 metres (27 feet) embroidered with Serlby Hall, Nottinghamshire, Ga C 1/70/1 gold stars. He wore a suit of cloth-of-silver, trimmed with gold lace and braid. His new crown contained over At the coronation banquet, the King’s 12,000 diamonds. Champion, Henry , rode into Westminster Hall, fully armoured,

Below: Lady Maryborough’s Ticket and challenged anyone to contest the for the Coronation of George IV, Above: Illustration of the order of procession for the coronation, showing the Earl of right of the new King to reign. It was for the King’s Box, Poet’s Corner, Galloway bearing the Third Sword, the 4th Duke of Newcastle bearing Curtana, and Westminster Abbey; 1821. Private the Duke of Northumberland bearing the Second Sword; c.1821. a traditional part of the proceedings, Collection Newcastle (Clumber) Collection, Ne X 21 but this, along with the banquet, was the last time it took place. The reason was cost, not because anyone Right: Deputy Earl Marshal’s Order accepted the challenge. One person concerning the who might have done so, George’s robes and coronets to be worn by estranged wife Caroline, had already the peers at the Coronation ‘exactly been refused entry to Westminster as they are in the Margin hereof, as Abbey for the coronation ceremony. they will answer the contrary at Above: Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019 their Peril’; c.1820. Newcastle (Clumber) George IV (1762-1830) 1821. By Sir (1769-1830). Collection, Ne C 5102 Oil on canvas, 295.4 x 205.4 cm (support, canvas/panel/str external), RCIN 405918 Designed by UoN Design

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