The Return of Monarchy; the first triumphal arch erected for Charles II in his passage through the city of London for his coronation, April 22, 1661
David Loggan British
Publisher John Ogilby British
Not on view
John Ogilby secured exclusive publishing rights for Charles II's coronation procession eleven days prior to the event and published a simple, unillustrated text in time for his entry. The text included descriptions of the four arches in the procession, their inscriptions, and the speeches and songs delivered throughout the celebration.
A year later in 1662, Ogilby published a festival book of the coronation procession and celebrations. The text expanded upon the first edition with additional details about the iconographic sources for the decorations - which were meant to honor the monarch and reaffirm his political legitimacy. Each of the triumphal arches helped to illustrate the restoration of the monarchy. Furthermore, the text was now accompanied by large engravings of the king's procession, the four arches, and the coronation ceremony.