The Coronation of Henry IV, by Jean Froissart

❰

1 2

❱

A bonnet was then placed on his head, and while this was being done, the clergy chanted the litany, or the service that is performed to hallow a font. The King* was now dressed in a churchman’s clothes, like a deacon; and they put on him shoes of crimson velvet, after the manner of a prelate. Then they added spurs with a point but no rowel; and the sword of justice was drawn, blessed and delivered to the King, who put it again into the scabbard, when the Archbishop of Canterbury girded it about him.

The crown of Saint Edward, which is arched over like a cross, was next brought and blessed, and placed by the Archbishop on the King’s head. When mass was over, the King left the church, and returned to the palace, in the same state as before.

by Jean Froissart ?1335-1404/10

From ‘Readings in English Social History from Contemporary Literature’ Volume 2 (1272-1485) (1921), edited by Robert Burns Morgan.

* Now Froissart calls Henry ‘king’, because he had been anointed after the manner of the Kings of Israel and Judah, though not yet formally crowned.

Précis

After his anointing, Henry was dressed in fine robes suitable for his coronation in the Abbey. To these, a knight’s spurs were added, and he was girt with a sword, blessed as a symbol of Justice. Then the crown of St Edward was set on his head, before Mass was sung and the new King returned to the Palace.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Précis

Questions for Critics

Tags

Read Next