Norwich, UK
York Minister has been chosen as the venue for the special Royal Maundy service – the first ever to be held by King Charles III in his role as monarch.
The Dean of York, the Very Rev Dominic Barrington, said: “We are honoured that His Majesty has chosen York Minister to be his cathedral church for the first Maundy service of his reign”.
“Taking place in Holy Week, this historic service symbolises humility, care, kindness and appreciation of others. The King’s Maundy gift will be a moment of celebration and thanksgiving for 148 exceptional people who have made an impact in their communities.”
Inside York Minster’s nave looking toward the east window. PICTURE: Charlotte Graham
Royal Maundy is a special service, which has been held in various forms for centuries. Always held on the Thursday before Easter, it commemorates an event during the Last Supper when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and told them “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.”
Traditionally, the monarch used to wash the feet of beggars on Maundy Thursday, and give small gifts. The first royal distribution of gifts was at Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, in 1210, when King John ordered that money and clothing be provided for needy people. Three years later, he became the first monarch to give gifts of small silver coins to the poor – 13p to each of 13 poor men at Rochester. The number was chosen to represent Jesus and the 12 apostles. Washing the feet of recipients was last undertaken in 1689.
Over the years, it has become more formalised. King Henry IV was the first monarch to order that the number of pennies and the number of recipients was to match the king’s age. By the 20th century, it had become the norm for the service to take place in London, usually at Westminster Abbey.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the service was cancelled and the Maundy money was blessed in church before being posted to the chosen recipients. In 2022, the service was held in St George’s Chapel at Windsor, with Charles, the Prince of Wales (and now King Charles III) standing in for Queen Elizabeth II.
Nowadays, the Maundy Thursday service rotates around cathedrals and royal chapels throughout the country following a decision by Queen Elizabeth II. The decision as to which location to use is made by Buckingham Palace.
York has been the venue of the Royal Maundy service on two other occasions: Queen Elizabeth II distributed Maundy money at York Minster in 1972, and then again in April, 2012, during her Diamond Jubilee Year.
With the number of recipients of Maundy money reflecting the age of the monarc, this year, receipients include 74 men and 74 women with the money given to thank them for their outstanding Christian service and making a difference within their communities. The recipients are chosen from Church of England dioceses across the country, as well as among Anglican and ecumenical partners.
On arrival, the King and Queen Consort will be presented with a traditional nosegay, a small flower bouquet. The service itself is a simple one involving the singing of anthems, prayers and readings from the Gospel of John and the Gospel of Matthew. Children from local schools take part. During the service, the King will go forward to meet the recipients, chat to them and hand out the Maundy money.
Each recipient receives two purses: one red, one white. The white purse contains the specially minted silver Maundy coins. The red purse contains two special commemorative coins symbolising the traditional gift of food and clothing. This year, one coin relates to the King’s 75th birthday and the other commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation, people who arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries. The coins are now highly sought-after by collectors.
