The History Of The Coronation Of the Most High, Most Mighty, and Most Excellent Monarch, James II. By the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender Of The Faith, &c. And of His Royal Consort Queen Mary: Solemnized in the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in the City of Westminster, on Thursday the 23 of April, being the Festival of St. George, in the Year of Our Lord 1685. With an Exact Account of the several Preparations in Order thereunto, Their Majesties most Splendid Processions, and Their Royal and Magnificent Feast in Westminster-Hall. The Whole Work Illustrated with Sculptures. By His Majesties Especial Command. By Francis Sandford Esq; Lancaster Herald of Arms.
[London:], In the Savoy: Printed by Thomas Newcomb, One of His Majesties Printers., 1687.
Physical Description
[12], 135, [1] p., [10], 19 pl. [28 dble.]; 444 mm. (Folio.)
Contents
[Imprimatur, t.p., dedic., privilege] - The Preface - The Contents of the Book - [Text, with plates].
Responsibility Note
According to the DNB the text was by Gregory King.
Most numbered and unnumbered plates are unsigned, but some are signed by engravers (W. Sherwin, I. Collins, Yeates, S. Moore) and one is signed as both drawn and engraved by S. Moore.
Most in-text decorations (chiefly headpieces and decorated initials) are unsigned, but some headpieces are signed as made or engraved by Sa. Moore or Sturt.
The work is dedicated by Francis Sandford to the King (James II).
References
ESTC, R221588, R22422
B. Adams, London Illustrated 1604-1851 (1983), no.16, p.27-8.
L.G.W. Legg, English coronation records (1901).
A. Griffiths and R.A. Gerard, The print in Stuart Britain 1603-1689 [exhibition catalogue] (1998).
A survey of pageants was B. Holme, Princely feasts and festivals: five centuries (1988).
Summary Note
The plates show the regalia, procession, coronation and subsequent banquet. They include plans of Westminster Abbey and Westminster Hall. The work is modelled on John Ogilby's The Entertainment of His Most Excellent Majestie Charles II, in His Passage Through the City of London to his Coronation (1662).
Binding Note
17th-century sprinkled calf, upper and lower covers with gilt-bordered panel; rebacked in 19th century, gilt-decorated spine; 20th-century red morocco spine-label lettered 'The Coronation 1685'.