The Times (1st March) reports that work is underway to make sure the historic Coronation Chair is fit for King Charles to sit in at the Coronation. The chair dates from 1300 and it would be a pity if it gave way pitching his Royal Personage on to the floor of Westminster Abbey. It would be a tradition some would celebrate no doubt.
The Chair was made for Edward 1st to house the Stone of Scone which had obtained (i.e stole) from Scotland in 1296. The Stone had been used to crown Scottish monarchs.
The stone was liberated (or as the King would no doubt have it stolen) by Scottish Nationalists in 1950 but recovered in 1951. Since 1996 it has been in Edinburgh Castle but will be used for the Coronation in May.
Oliver Cromwell was installed as Lord Protector on it and in 1914 a small bit was knocked off by a bomb attack, possibly carried out by Suffragettes.
Since 2010 a ‘major project’ to make sure the Chair is fit to sit in and cleaned (every six months).
It is a disputed tradition and one which currently the public purse pays to keep going
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