The 700-Year-Old Coronation Chair: Britain's Oldest | Old is Gold

Today, we uncover the incredible history of the Coronation Chair (also known as St Edward's Chair), the oldest piece of furniture in England still used for its original high-stakes purpose.Commissioned in 1296 by King Edward I to house the legendary Stone of Scone, this magnificent oak chair has been the centerpiece for every British monarch’s coronation since 1399, including King Charles III. It is a true survivor—a historical relic that has endured centuries of wear and tear, political turmoil, and even a bomb attack in 1914.Discover the shocking truth of the chair's original design—it was once gilded in gold and adorned with colored glass! We also reveal the astonishing and irreverent graffiti carved into its back by 18th-century schoolboys and tourists.Join us as we explore the secrets of this beautiful, battered, and irreplaceable symbol of the British monarchy, housed within Westminster Abbey.