A new screen was designed and created for King Charles.
The central motif is a tree, using the text from Revelation 22 about the tree of life, and "the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations" The central trunk and branches are machine stitched, but the 56 leaves were individually handstitched, by workers from the royal School of Needlework and also embroiderers in Australia. The woollen cloth came from Australia and New Zealand.
The four support posts are turned from a windblown oak in Windsor Great Park. Two Bronze Eagles, symbolising the Divine are atop the front posts. Above the tree fly angels, and a dove representing the Holy Spirit.
All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well
This is a quote from the mystic, Julian of Norwich .
As you can guess, I was pleased to see something from Norfolk so prominent in the ceremony. It is J's 650th anniversary this year.
It took four months to complete the screen, with all its intricate detail- the two side panels are of much simpler design in red, blue and gold.
There's a helpful YouTube piece here explaining it all
I really did want to say somyething about all the stitching that went into the day. Do check out "Fit for A King" on BBC i-Player if you can, to find out about the making of the uniforms. But this will probably be my last post about the coronation.
What a day...I am still in awe of the way Penny Mordaunt held that heavy sword aloft for an hour without flinching or wobbling, and the way the drummers steered their horses with their feet.
Thank you for all the comments yesterday about the poem - so often all these details of an event get overlooked, and it did sum things up so effectively.
I think my word of the year collaboration has definitely been in evidence over the past week or so!
UPDATE as Sandra has mentioned them below, I've added a picture of the Queen's dress, showing Beth and Bluebell, her rescue dogs
As a very wonky embroiderer I was in awe of work on the screen and do hope it does a travelling exhibition of the Country. The embroidery on Queen Camillas dress included 2 little terriers in gold that she rescued apparently, would like to see that close up also. Sandra.
ReplyDeleteIt would be good if the screen went on display. I've added a doggy picture for you!
DeleteThank you for posting the details on the coronation screen,and for yesterday’s poem. I’ve copied the poem into my diary for this year,beside the entry for the Coronation. The screen was so beautiful,and significant, and now we know more. I do like the detail of the little rescue dogs on Queen Camillas gown. Love Isabel
ReplyDeleteThe details of all these things are not insignificant, but a reflection of the whole, aren't they?
DeleteI enjoyed reading about all the details, Angela. Thank you for sharing it with us. :)
ReplyDeleteI knew you'd appreciate these snippets of information, Bless
DeleteThe Fit for a King programme was a worthwhile watch. I loved the sense of family and continuity that the makers exemplified. I also liked that they pointed out that everyday service uniforms are part of the staple business they undertake. The screen ia a work of art and will hopefully be available for us to see after all the many hours of work that went into creating it. Catriona
ReplyDeleteIt was a fantastic programme, and good that this family and their staff were recognised for their centuries (literally) of commitment to fine crafts
DeleteWhat a privilege to have worked on the screens.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. In primary school , my teacher often spoke proudly of her sister who had helped sew the Queen's Coronation Robes. As a child I thought how wonderful it must be to do such important sewing!! (My stitching is much more commonplace)
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this information. I noticed the stitching on both Camilla's dress and the screen, and meant to look it up later, but hadn't! So much wonderful detail in this coronation. Nicola
ReplyDeleteI must thank Sandra for reminding me about the terriers!
DeleteAww! I didn't know about the two terriers embroidered on her dress! How fun!
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
🐕🐕🐾🐾 I approve of the fact that they are rescue dogs. I hope "care for the underdog" is a feature of this new Reign. Whatever politicians have said recently, criticising the King speaking out last year on behalf of their policy on refugees, I am glad he did.
DeleteThank you Angela. Do you suppose she should have chosen King Charles Spaniels, but I don’t suppose many of those end up in rescues. Sandra.
DeleteThe King has had Jack Russells for many years - I suspect you're right about KC Spaniels being unlikely rescue dogs
DeleteAnother most interesting post! I thought the dogs were corgis but idn't get a good look on the day.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
The late Queen loved corgis, this one likes terriers 🐕
DeleteThanks for sharing, the dress and the screen are beautiful. The anointing reminds me how certain kings in the Old Testament were also anointed by priests.
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased they played " Zadok The Priest" based on the old testament passage about king Solomon's anointing
DeleteThe embroidery is fantastic. Thank you for this post as it made me look more closely than otherwise! JanF
ReplyDelete👍
DeleteLoved fit for a King. Came across it by accident but so interesting. I thought the screen was beautiful but my daughter who was watching it with her friend, had no idea what was going on. They kept expecting the screen to fall away like a Taylor Swift concert or something to reveal the King in all his glory. Anyone would think we had dragged her up!!😊
ReplyDeleteThey are so used to electronic trickery on small screens that large embroidered ones are completely outside their comprehension!
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