Dear Nellie

A woman has never paid homage at a British coronation.

The origins of the Homage rite go back to feudal times, when those, who held power in the kingdom rendered their loyal service to the king. These people were inevitably landowners that generally also held a seat in the House of Lords, either by Writ of Summons or Letters Patent. They were men. In the very rare instances of women landowners, they would appoint another to act on their behalf or represent them in territorial disputes and in service to the king. This would hold also for a coronation. Remember also that, prior to 1957, women were not permitted to take their seats in the House of Lords.

The Homage has become ritualised in the Coronation, the real power no longer held by the aristocracy. However, the rules on women have not been waived or bent. The senior barony is de Ros and in 1953 this was held by a woman. She was barred from paying homage, which was done for the Barons by their Senior not holding a higher peerage: Lord Mowbray.

For the future, the Homage enacted by the aristocracy was already a complete anachronism in the 20th century. Something will need to be done next time round to make it reflect where the serious power (a power that could threaten the Sovereign) lies. Thus, there can surely be no bar on a woman taking part in the future.