Coronation Spoon

Lore & Background

Historical records trace the use of regalia by English monarchs back to the Early Middle Ages, following the country's conversion to Christianity. A permanent set of coronation items was established after Edward the Confessor was made a saint in 1161, with his relics kept at Westminster Abbey. While most objects from these early centuries were lost or destroyed between 1649 and 1660, the Coronation Spoon survived. It is part of the collection that dates primarily from around 1660 when Charles II ascended the throne, yet this specific spoon predates that restoration by roughly 460–480 years. The object's survival underscores the continuity of the monarchy, bridging the gap between the medieval era and the modern institution. It remains a sacred relic, distinct from the later regalia created to replace those lost during the interregnum.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of the Spoon is defined by its endurance through the turmoil of the English Civil War. In 1649, following the execution of Charles I and the abolition of the monarchy, the vast majority of royal regalia were either sold or melted down to fund the new government's efforts. The medieval and Tudor collections vanished during this period. However, the late 12th-century spoon remained hidden or protected, surviving alongside three early 17th-century swords as one of only four original items from before the Restoration. When Charles II returned to the throne in 1660, these few survivors formed the nucleus around which a new set of coronation regalia was built. The Spoon's presence at every subsequent coronation, including those after the union of England and Scotland in 1707, marks it as an unbroken thread in the ceremonial history of British monarchs.

Reader's Guide

The Coronation Spoon is utilized specifically during the anointing phase of a British coronation. The ritual involves holy oil being poured from an ampulla into the bowl of the spoon. From there, the Archbishop applies the oil to the monarch, signifying their roles as head of state, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and head of the British Armed Forces. This act is distinct from the investment with robes or the crowning with St Edward's Crown that follows. The Spoon itself features no gemstones like the later regalia but retains its historical significance through age alone. It is one of the few objects in the Jewel House at the Tower of London that has not been altered significantly since its creation, serving as a functional and symbolic anchor for the ceremony.

Did You Know?

• The Coronation Spoon is the oldest object in the entire collection of Crown Jewels, dating to the late 12th century.
• It is one of a handful of original items that survived the English Civil War when most regalia were sold or melted down in 1649.
• During a coronation, holy oil is poured from an ampulla into the spoon before being applied to the monarch.
• Other surviving pre-Restoration items include the 14th-century Sword of State and the 14th-century Sword of Mercy (Curtana); the Sword of State (1678) and the Sword of Temporal Justice (1661) both date from after the Res
• Most of the current collection dates from around 1660 when Charles II ascended the throne, making the Spoon a unique survivor from an earlier era.