Durham Cathedral - Royal thrones for the Maundy Service
Durham Cathedral commissioned two new thrones and prayer desks in time for the King's visit to distribute the Maundy money on 17 April 2025 - and to serve in future as the official seats for the Lord Lieutenant (as the King's representative).
The cathedral had nothing of suitable dignity or stature for such a historic occasion.
Durham Cathedral was built as a projection of power following the Norman take-over of England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. With its massive stone piers, heavily incised and muscular Romanesque arches (combined with the sacred associations occasioned by the presence of the relics of St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede) the building is one of the most formidable 11th structures in Europe.
The design of the chairs is loosely based on Charlemagne's throne at Aachen, inaugurated after his coronation as Emperor in AD800. It is reputedly made from looted marble from the 6th century church of the Emperor Justinian, San Vitale in Ravenna. The designs of the prayer desks consciously pick up some of the decorated features of the massive, fluted columns that form part of Durham's monumental nave.
The Dean wrote after the service: ‘The chairs are a triumph and have been so much commented on. They are superb new addition to the fabric of this great place. Thank you and your team very much indeed’.
Quartered English oak, with very carefully selected figuring, was chosen for all the pieces. The official Royal ciphers (for both the King and the Queen) were required to be part of the design; these were hand carved by Gyorgy Mkrtchian.
The commission was funded by the Friends of Durham Cathedral and by the Trigg family, in commemoration of Denis Trigg, who had been associated with running the cathedral for many decades.
https://www.friendsofdurhamcathedral.co.uk/post/royal-maundy-service
https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2025-04-17/royal-maundy-2025
