The throne is a symbol of royalty, greatness and even greed. This Furniture Friday is dedicated to the English throne, known as St. Edward’s chair. This simple chair has had a great part in the history of England it has seen kings come and go and shows much of English history with the unfortunate carvings that have been put on it over the years. The chair was designed by a carpenter called Master Walter, he was paid 100 shillings to design the chair.

It was commissioned by King Edward I after he claimed the stone of scone, an ancient symbol of the Scottish kingship. The chair was designed to hold this stone. The chair was named after Edward the Confessor and is kept in Westminster Abby.

St. Edward’s chair features thick oak wood paneling with legs shaped of gilded lions that were added to the chair in the 1700′s. The seat has an opening for the coronation stone. Some historians believe that the chair may have had more ornamental decoration but it has been worn over the years.  The chair does remains sturdy and continues to be part of the coronation process.

The chair has only been removed twice in it’s 800 year history. Once for Oliver Cromwell’s induction as the protector of England and during World War II for safety.

The stone of scone was returned to Scotland in 1996, but will return for future coronations.

The chair is still stored in Westminster Abby and can be seen there today.

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