Queen Elizabeth II 25th Anniversary Coronation First Day Cover, Isle of Man postmarked on May 24, 1978.
Isle of Man
The Isle of Men, 15 miles south of Scotland, 30 miles west of England and 32 miles east of Ireland, is a well-watered island of 227 square miles, with a range of hills rising to 620 feet. Its 60,000 people are mostly of Celtic extraction, and engaged in agriculture (oats, barley, root vegetables), raising livestock, and the tourist industry.
Conquered in the 9th century by the Vikings, Man fell under Scottish control in the 13th century. It was taken by Edward I, who put it in the charge of the Prince Bishops of Durham; and was reconquered onr~* — by Robert the Bruce — before reverting to tine English crown in 1329. It is not, however, part of the United Kingdom, having its own legislature, judiciary and local government, but the U.K. assumes responsibility for defence, foreign relations, customs and postal services.
The Manx three-legged emblem, as famous as the tailless Manx cat, appeared in the 13th century and seems to derive from the Norse-Irish kings, who used a triple knot on their coins.
This special Coronation Anniversary stamp depicts Her Majesty bearing the symbols of kingship. The border is in the Celtic tradition, the abstract design deriving from early repeating patterns of entwined serpents, symbolic of fertility and the life force.
In the British Coronation ceremony, the regalia is presented to the monarch after the Anointing, but before the Crowning. First to be presented are the Armills, decorated bracelets given by the countries of the Commonwealth for the Coronation in 1953. The use of Armills, probably of Teutonic military origin, was last thought to have been part of the ceremony at the coronation of Edward VI. They symbolise sincerity and wisdom.
Next to be presented is the golden 'Robe Royal', part of a continuous tradition stemming from the Roman Emperor's cloak, and which developed ecclesiastical significance in the Middle Ages; then follows the Orb ('Power and Empire of Christ'); and the Queen's Ring ('kingly dignity' and 'Catholic Faith'). Last come the Royal Sceptre ('kingly power and justice') and the Rod 'of equity and mercy'. The Queen is then crowned with St. Edward's Crown.
