The Enthronement of the Most Reverend Cosmo Gordon Lang as Archbishop of Canterbury

The Scene and the Ceremonial

An Introductory description from the Studio

11.30 The Ceremony Relayed from Canterbury Cathedral

THE ceremony of enthronement of a Lord Archbishop of Canterbury is as impressive as any in the ritual of the Established Church. Under the lofty arches of England's most famous Cathedral the new Archbishop, surrounded by the Bishops and dignitaries of the Province, hears the Mandate of the Royal Commissioners, authorizing the ceremony, read. He takes the historic oath, administered by the Dean, before being enthroned by the Archdeacon on the Archiepiscopal Throne. Then, after prayer, he is conducted through the middle of the Choir and installed in the Dean's Stall. Thence, whilst a hymn is sung, the procession moves through the Screen to the Marble Throne, in which he is again enthroned. Returning to the High Altar, he hears Te Deum sung, and then goes into the pulpit to preach. After his sermon and Benediction he goes into the nave to give a second Blessing which he repeats outside the West Door, blessing the city, the country, and the people, before he goes through the cloisters, to the Chapter House for the ceremony of installation there.