Coronation of King Charles III

A painting showing a scene of a crown being raised by a man in a red robe, already wearing a golden laurel wreath. He is surrounded by richly dressed people, men, women, priests and soldiers, inside a large church.
Coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte Image by user1469083764 from Pixabay

This Saturday, in a lavish ceremony, King Charles III will have a crown officially placed on his head, a ceremony known as the Coronation.

These days, it is only a formality, because Charles became King automatically when his mother Queen Elizabeth II died, a process known as accession. Some other countries don’t even have coronation ceremonies at all.

But back when kings had armies, a coronation was confirmation that the institutions of state supported that person, and was confirmation that the person ruled the country. Real power did not start until after they had been formally crowned.

The military parade showed that the army supported the ruler.

The anointing and blessing showed that the ruler had the support of the religious institutions, and through them, the support of God.

The details have changed, but this ceremony is a descendent of coronations in Ancient Egypt, the Bible, the Roman Empire, and the Middle Ages.

British Museum Events

To remember 500 years since the fall of the Aztecs to the Spanish Conquistadors, the British Museum is holding a series of free online events.

They run from 21 June to 25 June, so if you are interested click on the link below:

https://www.britishmuseum.org/events/ancient-writing-contemporary-voices

Magna Carta Day – 15 June

Magna Carta was signed on 15 June 1215 at Runnymede near Windsor by King John and his Barons.

It promised the protection of church rights, protection for the barons from illegal imprisonment, access to swift justice, and limitations on feudal payments to the Crown, to be implemented through a council of 25 barons. This council would later develop into Parliament.

The British Library has two original copies that are now more than 800 years old.

Anzac Day

Soldier statue in ANZAC Memorial

25 April is Anzac day in Australia and New Zealand. This day remembers the day that the Australian & New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli in Turkey in 1915.

The landing was part of an ambitious Allied attempt to capture Istanbul, defeat the Turkish Ottoman Empire (allied with Germany), and open up a supply route to Russia. Troops from Britain, Ireland, France, Canada, & India were also involved.

Continue reading “Anzac Day”

Happy St George’s Day

Carving of St George killing the dragon

Today is St George’s day, the day of the patron saint of England.

But who was Saint George?

The legends say that George was a Roman soldier of Greek descent in what is now Turkey, in the 3rd century. At this time the Roman Empire still believed in the old gods, and George was killed for being a Christian.

His remains are said to be buried in the Church of St George in Lod, in Israel.

A much later legend says that George saved a city in Libya by spearing a dragon that was threatening the city. As a result, the entire city became Christian.

St George is a very popular saint, being also the patron saint of the country of Georgia, Malta, Portugal, the region of Aragon in Spain, Rio de Janeiro, Ethiopia, Beirut, Moscow and many other places.

Local History – the St Pancras Rent Strike of 1960

Those with a bit of spare time on their hands might be interested in this documentary covering the St Pancras Rent Strike of 1960.

A new council elected in 1959 for the borough of St Pancras (Camden Council didn’t exist yet) planned to drastically increase council tenant rents. Naturally, many council tenants objected. They formed tenants associations, and started withholding rent when the rent increases came into effect.

The dispute went on for most of 1960. Although ultimately unsuccessful, the rent strike did lead to the formation of many tenants associations, and arguably laid the groundwork for the system of tenant participation that we have today.

The Roundhouse – A short history

Everyone has heard of the Roundhouse – a Camden landmark, where many great musical acts have played over the years.

Inside, it has a distinctive shape, and gives everyone a good view of the performers and allows flexible fitout for different types of show, from circus performers, to rock bands, to theatre performances.

The Roundhouse was built in 1846 as a place for trains to be turned around, and the tracks can still be seen in the floor. The building was from a design by Robert Stephenson, son of George Stephenson (of “Stephenson’s ‘Rocket'” fame).

Etching showing the Roundhouse used as a train shed.

After only about 10 years the trains got too long, so it stopped being used as a turntable engine shed. In 1871 it started to be used by local wine & gin merchants W & A Gilbey as a warehouse (you can still buy Gilbey’s Gin – the distillery used to stand on the site of Gilbey’s Yard near Morrison’s supermarket).

Continue reading “The Roundhouse – A short history”

Live in a protected building?

A listed building is a building with historical or architectural importance. A building in a conservation area might not be listed in itself, but any works that could affect the character of that conservation area must be approved by planning.

If you live in a protected building, you have responsibilities that other people don’t have. Extra levels of permission are needed for things that other people don’t have to worry about. This can include what colours walls can be painted, or what improvement works can be done.

The exact limits depend on each building, and the reasons for the building being listed. Details for any listed building can be found here:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/

Camden Council, as the approving authority and as a freeholder, have a responsibility towards their own listed buildings. Any changes have to take into account the building’s historic features. Emergency works can be done, but should be the minimum required. Materials used have to be approved as suitable.

Just because the Council are doing work on one of their own buildings, it doesn’t mean they can do whatever they like.

Also see:

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings – www.spab.org.uk