329: Coronations: Chaos, Ceremony and Empire

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland delve into the history of British coronations, particularly focusing on the Hanoverian period and beyond. They discuss the chaotic and often ludicrous coronations of George I, George III, and George IV, filled with riots, forgotten thrones, and wardrobe malfunctions. Transitioning to the more earnest coronations of William IV, Queen Victoria, and the 20th-century monarchs, they explore the evolving significance of the ceremony, from a sacral event to a mass spectacle influenced by empire and media. The hosts debate the modern relevance of coronations in an increasingly secular society, highlighting the tension between tradition, religious meaning, and public perception.