The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was “a very special one”, we wrote in 1953. Read why we called it “the watershed of a century”
is the most magnificent ceremony of that most magnificent ceremonial institution, the British Crown. Emphasis has rightly been laid on the religious aspect of Tuesday’s service. But in this twentieth century it is as a secular sacrament that the Coronation will be regarded by the great majority of those who are flocking into London to see it.
Lost in the Coronation excitement, there is an anniversary this weekend that is not wholly irrelevant to the theme. Friday was the five-hundredth anniversary of the fall of Constantinople. And in a few weeks’ time, on July 17th, it will also be half a millennium since the battle of Castillon finally drove the English out of France and brought the Hundred Years’ War to an end. Both events were more the recognition of facts already accomplished than decisive in themselves.
Thus the Renaissance, after fifty years during which the human mind opened like a gigantic bud, led straight to the Reformation and to the first dreadful round of religious wars. Both in England and on the Continent, a settlement was reached in the 1550s. It took the form of strong national monarchies, which assured enough stability to give England and Spain and Germany their golden ages.
Danmark Seneste Nyt, Danmark Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også læse nyheder, der ligner denne, som vi har indsamlet fra andre nyhedskilder.
Santiago Peña, a former economist, is Paraguay’s next presidentBut Paraguayo Cubas, a nationalist firebrand, got 23% of the vote
Læs mere »
Another think coming? An AI pioneer steps downGeoffrey Hinton, a legend of artificial-intelligence research, wants to be able to speak his mind about the technology’s risks. We ask whether those steeped in a field are best-placed to judge it. It has long been clear Ukraine needs more fighter jets; we look at the ones it may get at last. And the first video game about the Holocaust. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Læs mere »
Another think coming? An AI pioneer steps downGeoffrey Hinton, a legend of artificial-intelligence research, wants to be able to speak his mind about the technology’s risks. We ask whether those steeped in a field are best-placed to judge it. It has long been clear Ukraine needs more fighter jets; we look at the ones it may get at last. And the first video game about the Holocaust. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Læs mere »
Send your best wishes for King Charles on our coronation cheer mapGet your message viewed across the globe to celebrate this historic occasion not seen in the UK for more than 70 years.
Læs mere »