Coronation of the French Monarch

Once upon a time, when France had kings, they had a very important ceremony to become the real ruler. It wasn't just putting on a crown; it was a special event in a beautiful church called Reims Cathedral. This ceremony helped everyone know who the new king was and that he was chosen to lead. It was like the ultimate royal approval!

The most important part wasn't the crown, but a special anointing with holy oil. This oil was believed to be a gift from heaven, brought by a dove! Kings believed this oil gave them special powers from God. After being anointed, the king's shirt and gloves were sometimes burned to keep the magic safe. It was a way to show their power came from something bigger than just themselves.

Kings had amazing treasures for their ceremonies! They had special thrones, shiny sceptres, and crowns that belonged to old kings like Charlemagne. These treasures were kept safe in churches and museums. One very special treasure was a tiny glass bottle with the holy oil, shaped like a dove. It was carried with great care to the king!

If the king passed away, people would shout, 'The King is dead, long live the King!' This meant a new king was already ready to take over. They didn't always need the big ceremony right away to be recognized. But the special anointing ceremony made sure everyone knew he was the true king, chosen by God.