1066 And All That

I could not think, much less comment,
on the news about the events
going on today in Westminster,
where it was news to the public
that 943 years ago a French invader,
and reformer of English government,
was crowned king there, and part of his reforms
were that the coronation of every ruler,
since then, will happen there. Ever after.

In other news a mere 543 years later,
circa 1649, many of the original instruments
for the coronation were melted down
and many of the jewels in them sold
by the Republican, Oliver Cromwell.

The instruments of the coronation
were reinvented a mere 11 years
after they were dismantled. 
This reinvention of pomp and process
has maintained the non-constitution ever since.

When the news is that old 
the everyday value in it
that our life consists of,
will be hard to find, thank God
coronations do not happen that often.