Ritualistic Equestrianism: Status, Identity, and Symbolism in Tudor Coronation Ceremonies

Abstract

Using horses as a historical lens, this study examines four components of ritualistic equestrianism in Tudor coronation ceremonies: the King’s Champion, the Gilded Spurs, the Master of the Horse, and the Horse of Honor. These four components remained an essential part of coronation ceremonies during the Tudor era despite significant political, religious, and cultural changes and elevated in status, identity, and symbolism to parallel the rise of horse culture in early modern England. More importantly, these four components underlined the importance of horses and horsemanship to the Crown.