November 29 – The coronation of St. Louis IX of France
Nobility.org
St. Louis being crowned King of France at Reims, November 29, 1228.
Traditionally, new sacred music was composed for a coronation. The
motet…which was sung for the anointing of Louis IX has come down to us.
It was called Gaude, felix Francia…. The boy who was to be
anointed and crowned was already on a platform built in front of the
chancel, surrounded by the great lords of the realm. He declaimed the
solemn oath required: to maintain the Church, do justice to his people,
keep the peace. The slender figure knelt, then stretched itself prone
before the altar, as the chorus took up the Litany of the Saints….
