Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom

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Crown Jewels
A black and white sketch of the regalia published in 1870
St Edward's Crown (top) is used to crown the monarch. It is flanked by the sceptres. Also in this picture are the crown and diadem of Mary of Modena (wife of James II of England), the blunt Sword of Mercy, the eagle-shaped ampulla, the armills (a type of bracelet) and orbs.
Overview
Country United Kingdom
Location On public display in the Jewel House, Tower of London; Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace; and the debating chambers at the Palace of Westminster
No. of objects 142[1][a]
Crowns: 16
Other regalia: 16
Processional objects: 36
Anointing objects: 2
Altar plate: 32
Banqueting and domestic plate: 35
Christening fonts: 3
Other objects: 2
Oldest Coronation Spoon (12th century)
Newest Queen Elizabeth II's Armills (1953)
Precious stones 23,578
Owner Queen Elizabeth II in right of the Crown
Value Priceless[2]
Website www.hrp.org.uk

In the United Kingdom, the Crown Jewels are 142 historic ceremonial objects, including the regalia and vestments worn by kings and queens at their coronation ceremony.[b] The collection is made up of crowns, sceptres, orbs, swords and robes, as well as many other priceless objects. Far more than gold and precious stones, they are enduring symbols of 900 years of monarchy.

Most of the collection dates from around 350 years ago when Charles II acceded to the throne. The medieval regalia had either been sold or melted down by Oliver Cromwell, a republican who overthrew the monarchy in 1649, during the English Civil War.

A number of items are still used at coronations, the State Opening of Parliament, royal christenings and a few other state occasions. Many pieces, like the state trumpets and banqueting plate, have fallen out of use, and some were only designed to be used once, such as the ring made for Queen Victoria's coronation in 1838 and the Imperial Crown of India made for King George V in 1911.

When not in use, the jewels are on public display, mainly in the Jewel House, a vault at the Tower of London, where they are seen by over two million visitors from across the world every year. Although they are part of the Royal Collection and owned by the Queen or King for the duration of their reign, the Crown Jewels do not belong to the monarch personally.

History[edit]

Early history[edit]

King Aethelstan (924–39) presenting a copy of Bede's Life of St Cuthbert to the saint himself. This is the earliest known depiction of an English king wearing a crown.[4]

The earliest known use of regalia in England was discovered by archaeologists in 1988 in Deal, Kent, and dates to between 200 and 150 BC. A crown, sword, brooch and ceremonial shield were found inside the tomb of the Mill Hill Warrior. A later dig in a field at Hockwold cum Wilton, Norfolk, revealed a large number of circlets and a bronze crown with depictions of human faces.[5] Following the conquest of Britain by the Roman Empire in 43 AD, crowns and other symbols of authority continued to be used by the governors of Britain.[6]

By the 5th century, the Romans had withdrawn from Britain, and the Angles and the Saxons settled. A series of new kingdoms began to emerge. One of the methods used by regional kings to solidify their authority over their territories was the use of ceremony and insignia.[7] The tomb of an unknown king – evidence suggests it may be Rædwald of East Anglia[8] – at Sutton Hoo provides a unique insight into the regalia of a pre-Christian Anglo-Saxon king. Inside the early 7th-century tomb was found an ornate helmet comprising an iron cap, neck guard and face mask, decorated with images of animals and warriors in bronze, and set with garnets.[9] He was also buried with a heavy stone sceptre, on top of which is an iron ring surmounted by the figure of a stag; a decorated sword; and a ceremonial shield.[10]

Middle Ages[edit]

17th century portrait of William I of England

Edward the Confessor is depicted on a throne and wearing a crown in the first scene of the Bayeux Tapestry. Around 1051 he had given Spearhafoc, Bishop of London-designate and a monastic goldsmith, gold and jewels with which to make a crown, but after Spearhafoc's election as bishop was not confirmed by the king, he disappeared abroad with the materials.[11] In 1066, Edward died without an heir, and William the Conqueror emerged as king of England following his victory over the English at the Battle of Hastings.

Wearing a crown became an important part of William I's efforts to cement his authority over his new territory and subjects. At his death in 1087, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle reported:

[William] kept great state … He wore his crown three times a year as often as he was in England … On these occasions all the great men of England were assembled about him … He was so stern and relentless a man that no one dared do aught against his will … Among other things we must not forget the good order he kept in the land.[12][13]

In 1161, Edward the Confessor was made a saint, and objects connected with his reign became holy relics. The monks at Westminster Abbey, his burial place, claimed that Edward had asked them to look after his regalia in perpetuity and that they were to be used at the coronations of all future kings of England.[14] A note to this effect is contained in an inventory of relics drawn up by Richard Sporley, a monk at the abbey from 1430 until 1480, which recorded the ornaments as "a tunic (and other vestments), an excellent golden crown, golden comb and spoon, for the queen's coronation a crown and two rods, and for the communion a chalice of onyx stone and a golden paten".[15] Although the claim was likely an exercise in self-promotion on the part of the abbey, and the regalia had probably been taken from Edward's grave when he was reinterred there, it became accepted as a fact, thereby establishing the concept of hereditary coronation regalia.[14]

A crown referred to as St Edward's Crown is first recorded as having been used for the coronation of Henry III in 1220, and it appears to be the same crown worn by Edward and his successor William I.[16] Being crowned and invested with regalia owned by a previous monarch who was also a saint reinforced the king's authority.[17] The crown was used in many subsequent coronations until its eventual destruction 400 years later. One of a few descriptions of St Edward's Crown to survive, from Henry III's time, is "a great crown of gold with precious stones".[18] Also in the Crown Jewels in this period was an item called Alfred the Great's State Crown, described as "gold wirework set with small stones and two little bells".[19]

The Stone of Scone in the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey, 1855

Following the defeat in 1282 of the Welsh prince Llewelyn ap Gruffydd by Edward I, the Welsh regalia were surrendered to England. According to the Chronicle of Aberconwy Abbey, "The Welsh gave up the crown of the most famous King Arthur, the former king of Britain; and so the glory of Wales and the Welsh was handed over to the kings and lords of England".[20][21] After the invasion of Scotland fourteen years later, the Stone of Scone was sent to the Tower of London "in recognition", as the chronicler Walter of Guisborough put it, "of a kingdom surrendered and conquered".[22] It was fitted into a wooden chair – then known as King Edward's Chair – which came to be used for the investiture of kings of England, earning its reputation as the Coronation Chair.[23] The Scottish regalia were also taken to London.[24]

In Edward II's treasury in 1324, there were no fewer than 10 crowns.[25] At some point in the 14th century, items were moved from Westminster Abbey to the Tower of London due to a series of successful and attempted thefts.[26]

Early modern period[edit]

The traditions established in the medieval period continued later.[27] By the middle of the 15th century, a crown was formally worn on six religious feasts every year: Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Whitsun, All Saints and one or both feasts of St Edward.[28] A crown was also displayed and worn at the annual State Opening of Parliament.[29] Around this time, swords – symbols of kingship since ancient times – were introduced into the coronation ceremony. Three swords were used to represent the king's powers in the administration of justice: the Sword of Spiritual Justice, Sword of Temporal Justice and Sword of Mercy. Another emerging item of regalia was the orb, described in Tudor inventories as a round ball with a cross of gold weighing 496 grams (17.5 oz).[30]

State regalia were increasingly passed from one king to the next. The first example of this was Henry VIII's Crown. Its date of manufacture is unknown but it was probably created at the beginning of the Tudor dynasty.[31] The gold crown was covered in pearls, rubies, sapphires and diamonds, and its rim was decorated with alternating crosses pattée and fleurs-de-lis. The centre petals of the fleurs-de-lis had images of Christ, the Virgin Mary and St George in an effort by Henry VIII to secure his position as head of the new Church of England.[32] Although some English monarchs laid claim to the French throne, the fleurs-de-lis on their crowns had evolved from the trefoil introduced by King Canute and were purely decorative.[33] The concept of hereditary state regalia was enshrined in law when James I decreed in 1606, "the Imperial Diadem and Crown, and other royal and princely ornaments and jewels [are] to be individually and inseparably for ever hereafter annexed to the kingdom of this realm".[34]

Interregnum[edit]

Charles I standing beside Henry VIII's Crown and the gold orb and sceptre that were made into coins by Oliver Cromwell, 1631

Following the death of James I in 1625, Charles I succeeded the throne. His many conflicts with Parliament, stemming from his belief in the divine right of kings and the many religious conflicts that pervaded his reign, triggered the English Civil War. After six years of war, Charles was defeated and executed by the Roundheads in 1649. Less than a week after the king's execution, the Rump Parliament voted to abolish the monarchy, and Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector of England in 1653. The newly created English Republic found itself short of money. In order to raise funds, the 'Act for the Sale of the Goods and Personal Estate of the Late King, Queen and Prince' was brought into law, and trustees were appointed to value the jewels – regarded by Cromwell as symbolic of the "detestable rule of kings"[35] – and sell them to the highest bidder.[36] The most valuable object was Henry VIII's Crown, valued at £1,100.[37] Stripped of their gemstones and pearls, the coronation regalia and state regalia were melted down and turned into coins by the Royal Mint.[38]

Restoration to present day[edit]

The British monarchy was eventually restored in 1660 after Cromwell's death, and in preparation for the coronation of King Charles II, who had been living in exile in France, new jewels were made based on records and memory of the lost items.[39] The new regalia were supplied by the banker and Royal Goldsmith, Sir Robert Vyner at a cost of £12,184[40][c] – as much as three new warships.[42] The king appointed as Court Jeweller the gem merchant Sir John Chardin who owned a large quantity of precious stones accumulated on his travels in Asia.[43] The Coronation Chair had been retained and used for Cromwell's installation as Lord Protector at Westminster Hall.[39] A few other pieces, such as the medieval Coronation Spoon, had survived and were returned to the Crown.[39] Between 1660 and 1663, at the additional cost of some £18,000, almost two tons (4,400 lb) of altar and banqueting plate were made for the king.[44]

Around this time, the jewels went on public display at the Tower of London. A 77-year-old custodian named Talbot Edwards would take the regalia out of a cupboard and show it to visitors for a small fee.[45] The arrangement was ended in 1671 when Colonel Thomas Blood, an Irish-born army officer loyal to Parliament, attacked the custodian. He and two accomplices made off with a crown, a sceptre and the Sovereign's Orb.[46] They were apprehended at the perimeter and taken into custody. Ever since, the Crown Jewels have been kept under armed guard in a part of the tower known as the Jewel House.[47]

Since the Restoration, there have been many additions and alterations to the regalia.[d] A new set of regalia was commissioned in 1685 for Mary of Modena, the first queen consort to be crowned since the Restoration, Charles II having been unmarried when he took the throne. Another, more elaborate set had to be made four years later when Mary II was crowned as joint sovereign with her husband William III. Starting with his successor, Queen Anne, gemstones would be hired for the coronation and replaced with paste or crystal for display in the Jewel House, a practice which continued until the early 20th century.[39] Today, they are permanently set with 23,578 diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires.[48]

During World War II, the Crown Jewels were stored in the basement of Windsor Castle. After the war, they were kept in a vault at the Bank of England.[49] The jewels went back on display at the Tower of London in 1947.[50]

Crowns[edit]

While some of the crowns are used by every monarch, others have been made specially for monarchs and queens consort.

St Edward's Crown[edit]

St Edward's Crown. The pearls were replaced with gold beads in 1911.

The centrepiece of the coronation regalia is named after Edward the Confessor, and is placed on the monarch's head at the actual moment of crowning by the Archbishop of Canterbury.[51] Made of gold in 1661, St Edward's Crown has four fleurs-de-lis and four crosses pattée with two arches on top. Surmounting the arches is a jewelled cross pattée. Its frame is embellished with 444 stones, including amethysts, garnets, peridots, rubies, sapphires, topazes, tourmalines and zircons. The crown is 30 cm (12 in) tall, and at a weight of 2.23 kg (5 lb) has been noted to be extremely heavy.[52] Queen Elizabeth II opted to use a stylised image of this crown in coats of arms, badges, logos and various other insignia throughout the Commonwealth realms to symbolise her royal authority.[53]

Imperial State Crown[edit]

The version of the Imperial State Crown worn by George V in 1910

A much lighter crown is worn by the newly crowned monarch when he or she leaves Westminster Abbey,[54] and at the annual State Opening of Parliament. The current Imperial State Crown was made in 1937 for George VI and is a virtual copy of the one made in 1838 for Queen Victoria, which had fallen into a poor state of repair (the frame can be seen at the Tower of London).[55] The crown was altered in 1953 when it was resized to fit Queen Elizabeth II and the arches were lowered by 2.5 cm (1 in) to give it a more feminine appearance.[56] It is made of gold, silver and platinum, and has four crosses pattée and fleurs-de-lis, with two arches surmounted by a monde and cross pattée. The crown is decorated with 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 5 rubies. Three of the pearls are said to have belonged to Elizabeth I. Among the largest stones are the Black Prince's Ruby (a spinel) and the Cullinan II diamond.[57]

Diamond Diadem[edit]

George IV's State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, was made in 1820 for George IV.[58] Originally made for the king to wear over his cap of maintenance in the procession to his coronation,[59] the diadem is now used by the Queen in procession to the annual State Opening of Parliament. It is decorated with 1,333 diamonds, including a 4-carat (1 g) yellow diamond in the front cross, and two strings of 169 pearls in total along its base.[60] Its design features roses, thistles and shamrocks, the floral emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland respectively.[61] The iconic piece of jewellery has appeared on Commonwealth coinage and Machin series stamps.[62] When not in use, the diadem is on display in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.[63]

Consort crowns[edit]

The wives of kings – queens consort – traditionally wore the Crown of Mary of Modena, the wife of James II, who first wore it at their coronation in 1685. Originally set with 561 hired diamonds and 129 pearls, it is now set with crystals and cultured pearls for display in the Jewel House.[64] By the 20th century, the crown was judged to be in a poor state of repair, so a new European-style crown, flatter and with more arches than traditional British crowns, was made for Queen Alexandra, the wife of Edward VII, to wear at their coronation in 1902. It was the first crown to have the 105-carat (21 g) Koh-i-Noor diamond.

Queen Mary's Crown, unusual for a British crown in having eight half-arches instead of the traditional four, was manufactured by Garrard & Co. for the coronation of Queen Mary and George V in 1911. It contains 2,200 diamonds, and has contained the Koh-i-Noor, as well as Cullinan III and IV. In 1914, all three stones were replaced with crystal replicas and, at the same time, the arches were made detachable so it could be worn as a circlet or open crown. The crown has not been used since Queen Mary died in 1953.

The Queen Mother's Crown is a platinum crown made for Queen Elizabeth, the wife of George VI, to wear at their coronation in 1937. It was the first crown for a British king or queen to be made of platinum, and was modelled on Queen Mary's Crown, but has four half-arches instead of eight. Its arches are detachable at the crosses pattée, allowing it to be worn as a circlet. The crown is decorated with about 2,800 diamonds, most notably the Koh-i-Noor in the middle of the front cross. It also contains a replica of the 22.48-carat (4 g) Lahore Diamond given to Queen Victoria by the East India Company in 1851, and a 17-carat (3 g) diamond given to her by the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire in 1856.[65] The crown was laid on top of Elizabeth's coffin during her lying in state and at her funeral in 2002.[66]

Non-coronation crowns[edit]

The Imperial Crown of India

The Imperial Crown of India was created in 1911 when George V visited the Delhi Durbar to be proclaimed (but not crowned) as Emperor of India before the princes and rulers of the country.[67] An ancient law prohibits the removal of Crown Jewels from the United Kingdom; for this reason, a new crown had to be made specially, with emeralds, rubies, sapphires and 6,100 diamonds. The king wrote in his diary, "Rather tired after wearing my crown for 3½ hours; it hurt my head, as it is pretty heavy".[68] It has not been used since George V returned from India, and is now a part of the Crown Jewels.[69]

Queen Victoria's Small Diamond Crown is just 10 cm (4 in) tall, and was made in 1870 using diamonds taken from a large necklace belonging to the queen, who wore the crown on top of her widow's cap following the death of her husband, Prince Albert. Towards the end of her reign, she often wore it at State Openings of Parliament in place of the much heavier Imperial State Crown.[70] After the queen's death in 1901, her daughter-in-law Queen Alexandra wore the crown, and it was also worn by Queen Mary.[71]

The relatively modest Coronet of Frederick was made in 1728 for the Frederick, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of George II. It takes the form laid down in a royal warrant issued by Charles II in 1677, which states, "The son and heir apparent of the Crown shall use and bear his coronet of crosses and fleurs-de-lis with one arch and a ball and cross".[72] The gold coronet was placed on a cushion in front of him when he took his seat in the House of Lords. It was last used by Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales.[73]

Processional objects[edit]

A coronation begins with the procession to Westminster Abbey.

Swords[edit]

The Marquess of Londonderry carrying the Sword of State at the coronation of Edward VII in 1902

Three swords are carried into the abbey by high-ranking peers of the realm: the blunt Sword of Mercy (also known as Curtana), the Sword of Spiritual Justice and the Sword of Temporal Justice.[74] All three are believed to have been made at the time of James VI & I between 1610 and 1620, probably by Robert South, a member of the Worshipful Company of Cutlers. During the civil war they were sold for £5 to Roger Humphreys who returned them to the Crown at the Restoration.[75] Their first recorded use was at the coronation of James II in 1685.[76]

Two other swords are used. The two-handed Sword of State, made in 1678, symbolises the monarch's royal authority.[77] It is also carried before the monarch at State Openings of Parliament.[78] Its wooden sheath is bound in crimson velvet decorated with silver-gilt emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland, fleurs-de-lis and portcullises. In the centre is the royal badge of joint-sovereigns William III and Mary II, for whose coronation the sheath was made in 1689.[79] The lion of England and unicorn of Scotland form the cross-piece to the sword's handle. At coronations, a peer gives the Sword of State to the Lord Great Chamberlain who places it on a table in St Edward's Chapel.[80]

The jewelled Sword of Offering, made in 1820, has a gilded leather sheath, a blade of Damascus steel, and is encrusted with 3,476 precious stones.[81] George IV paid £5,988 for the sword out of his own pocket.[82] It remained in the private ownership of the Royal Family until 1903 when it was deposited with the Crown Jewels by Edward VII.[83] The monarch offers the sword at the altar in Westminster Abbey as a promise to "stop the growth of iniquity, protect the Holy Church of God, help and defend widows and orphans, restore the things that are gone to decay, maintain the things that are restored, punish and reform what is amiss, and confirm what is in good order" throughout his or her reign.[84] Afterwards, it is returned to the Keeper of the Jewel House by the abbey in exchange for a token sum of £5.[42]

The defunct Irish Sword of State, made in 1681, also resides at the Tower of London, and was held by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland prior to Ireland gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1922. At 1.27 m (4 ft) long, it is the largest sword in the collection.[85]

St Edward's Staff[edit]

St Edward's Staff is a 1.4-metre (5 ft) long gold walking stick made for Charles II in 1661. It has a plain monde and cross at the top and a steel pike at the bottom.[86] This object is almost certainly a copy of the "long rod of silver gilt" mentioned in the list of royal plate and jewels destroyed in 1649.[87] The staff's intended role in the coronation has been forgotten since medieval times, and so it is carried into the abbey by a peer as a holy relic and laid on the altar, where it remains throughout the ceremony.[88]

Trumpets[edit]

A state trumpet and banner with the coat of arms of Queen Victoria and the royal cypher of Edward VII

The Crown Jewels include 16 silver trumpets dating from between 1780 and 1848.[89] In the Tower of London, nine of these are draped with red silk damask banners, embroidered with coats of arms in gold, originally made for the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838.[90] They have not been used since the Corps of State Trumpeters was disbanded by the Duke of Wellington as a cost-cutting measure in the 19th century.[91] The trumpeters' main job was to sound a fanfare at key points in the coronation where they occupied a gallery above the choir screen.[92] Today, the bands of the Household Cavalry and Royal Air Force play their own trumpets at state occasions.[93][94]

Maces[edit]

Beginning life as weapons carried by the king's sergeants-at-arms, or bodyguards, maces evolved into ceremonial objects carried by the king's officers.[95] Today, they are used to represent the monarch's authority. The House of Commons can only operate when the royal mace – dating from the reign of Charles II – is present at the table. Two other maces are used by the House of Lords; one is placed on the Woolsack before the house meets and is absent from the chamber when the monarch is there in person.[96] Originally, there were 16 silver-gilt maces, but only 13 survive, 10 of which are on display at the Tower of London. Two of these are carried in procession at State Openings of Parliament and coronations. Each mace is about 1.5 m (5 ft) long and weighs an average of 10 kg (22 lb).[97]

Anointing objects[edit]

When a monarch is anointed, the Dean of Westminster pours holy anointing oil from the Ampulla into the Coronation Spoon.[98]

The ampulla, 20 cm (8 in) tall and weighing 660 g (23 oz), is a hollow gold vessel made in 1661 and shaped like an eagle with outspread wings. Its head unscrews, enabling the vessel to be filled, and the oil exits via a hole in the beak.[99] Fourteenth-century legend has it that the Virgin Mary appeared in front of St Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170, and presented to him a golden eagle and some oil for anointing future kings of England.[100]

The 27-centimetre (11 in) long spoon, which dates from the late 12th century, is silver-gilt and set with four pearls. A ridge divides the bowl in half, creating grooves into which the Archbishop of Canterbury dips two fingers and anoints the monarch on the hands, chest, and forehead, confirming him or her as head of the Church of England.[101] It is the oldest surviving piece of regalia, first recorded in the Royal Collection in 1349, and was probably made for Henry II or Richard I.[102] In 1649, Oliver Cromwell sold the spoon to Clement Kynnersley, Yeoman of the Removing Wardrobe, who returned it to Charles II upon the restoration of the monarchy.[103]

Detail of the silver-gilt Coronation Spoon

Robes and ornaments[edit]

The anointing is followed by the investment with the coronation robes and ornaments.

Robes[edit]

The robes worn by James II in 1685, the Swords of Spiritual Justice, Mercy and Temporal Justice, and the Spurs, Ampulla, Spoon and Coronation Chair

Robes include the Supertunica, a dalmatic made for George V in 1911; and the Imperial Mantle, a pallium made for George IV in 1821. Both robes are of gold thread and together weigh 10 kg (22 lb). A new girdle and stole were made in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II by the Worshipful Company of Girdlers. The stole is embroidered with the floral emblems of Australia, Canada, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka and Wales. The leek of Wales was used instead of the yellow daffodil as it would not have contrasted well against the gold thread.[104] All the robes have priestly connotations and their form has changed little since medieval times.[105]

Spurs[edit]

Spurs remade for Charles II are taken from the altar and presented to the monarch. They are made of solid gold, richly embossed with floral patterns and scrolls, and have straps of crimson velvet embroidered in gold. Known originally as St George's Spurs, they are one of the emblems of knighthood and chivalry, and with the swords they denote the sovereign's role as head of the Armed Forces. Gold spurs were introduced into the coronation ceremony in 1189 at the coronation of Richard I. Historically, the spurs were fastened to the monarch's feet but since the Restoration they are simply brushed against the heels of kings or shown to queens and placed on the altar.[106]

Armills[edit]

The Armills are gold bracelets of sincerity and wisdom.[107] Like the spurs, they were first used at English coronations in the 12th century.[108] For Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953, a new set of plain 22-carat gold armills lined with crimson velvet was made and presented on behalf of various Commonwealth governments. Each bracelet is fitted with an invisible hinge and a clasp in the form of a Tudor rose. The hallmark includes a tiny portrait of the Queen.[109] They are on display at the Tower of London along with an older pair made for Charles II.[110] The 17th century bracelets, 4 cm (2 in) wide and 7 cm (3 in) in diameter, are champlevé enamelled on the surface with roses, thistles and harps – the national symbols of England, Scotland and Ireland – as well as fleurs-de-lis.[111] The monarch continues to wear the armills on leaving the abbey and can be seen wearing them later, with the Imperial State Crown and Sovereign's Ring, during his or her appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.[112]

Rings[edit]

The Sovereign's Ring dates from 1831. Before then, each monarch received a new ring to symbolise his or her "marriage" to the nation, but the current ring has been used by all monarchs from William IV to Queen Elizabeth II, with the exception of Queen Victoria, whose fingers were too small to retain it.[113] In the centre of the gold ring is an octagonal sapphire, 1.5 cm (1 in) in diameter, overlaid with a square ruby and four long, narrow rubies to form a cross. Around the sapphire is a circle of 14 brilliant diamonds.[114] The general design is intended to represent the red Cross of St George on the blue background of St Andrew's Cross.[109]

A small copy of the ring was made for Victoria, who wrote in a letter, "The Archbishop had (most awkwardly) put the ring on the wrong finger, and the consequence was that I had the greatest difficulty to take it off again, which I at last did with great pain".[115] In fact, the ring had been sized to fit the queen's little finger instead of her ring finger due to a misunderstanding by the jewellers.[116] It was left to the Crown upon her death in 1901 and is on display at the Tower of London.[117]

The Queen Consort's Ring, set with diamonds and rubies, has been worn at coronations by all wives of kings from Queen Adelaide onwards.[118]

Sceptres[edit]

Queen Victoria holding the Sceptre with Cross and wearing the Imperial State Crown, 1838

The sceptre is most likely derived from the shepherd's staff, via the crozier of a bishop; it may, however, be a remnant of the ceremonial spear that was presented to kings and queens at coronations in different parts of the world in early history.[119]

Two gold sceptres made in 1661 are part of the coronation regalia.[120] The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross is a token of his or her temporal power as head of state. The whole object is 92 cm (3 ft) long and weighs around 1.2 kg (3 lb). In 1910, it was redesigned to incorporate Cullinan I, also known as the Great Star of Africa, which, at over 530 carats (106 g), is still the largest clear cut diamond in the world. It was found in South Africa in 1905 and is named after the chairman of the mining company, Thomas Cullinan.[121] The gold clasps holding it can be opened and the stone removed to be worn as a pendant. Above the pear-shaped diamond is a large amethyst surmounted by a cross pattée encrusted with small diamonds. During the coronation, the monarch bears the Sceptre with Cross in the right hand.[122]

The less ornate Sovereign's Sceptre with Dove, also called the Rod of Equity and Mercy, is emblematic of his or her spiritual role as head of the Church of England.[123] It is a bit longer at 1.1 m (4 ft)[124] but is thinner and weighs about the same as the Sceptre with Cross. At the top is a gold monde, on which sits a white enamelled dove with its wings outspread; the eyes, beak and feet are gold leaf. The dove has been used to represent the Holy Ghost, who guides the sovereign's actions, for many centuries. In France, it was the custom to release white doves inside Notre-Dame de Reims after the coronation of monarchs. Circling the rod are bands of diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. The Sceptre with Dove is borne in the left hand, and as the sovereign holds both sceptres, he or she is crowned with St Edward's Crown.[125]

The jewels include two sceptres originally made for Mary of Modena, the wife of James II, in 1685: a gold sceptre with a cross known as the Queen Consort's Sceptre with Cross and another topped by a dove known as the Queen Consort's Ivory Rod with Dove, which, as the name suggests, is made of ivory. Unlike the sovereign's dove, this one has folded wings and is relatively small.[126] It was last used by Queen Elizabeth at the coronation of her husband George VI in 1937. For the coronation of Mary II, the wife and joint sovereign of William III, a more elaborate gold sceptre with dove was commissioned in 1689. It has not been used since, and went missing for several decades, only to be found in 1814 at the back of a cupboard in the Tower of London.[120]

Orbs[edit]

The Sovereign's Orb, a type of globus cruciger, is a hollow gold sphere about 16.5 cm (6 in) in diameter and weighing 1.2 kg (3 lb) that was made for Charles II in 1661.[127] A band of gems and pearls runs along the equator and there is a half-band on the top hemisphere. Atop the orb is a jewelled cross symbolising Christ's dominion over the world and the sovereign's role as Defender of the Faith.[128] It is handed to the sovereign during the investiture rite of the coronation and is borne later in the left hand when leaving Westminster Abbey. Queen Mary II's Orb is a smaller version made in 1689 for Mary II to hold at her joint coronation with William III; it was never used again.[129] However, both orbs, the sovereign's sceptres and the Imperial State Crown were laid on top of Queen Victoria's coffin for its journey from Osborne House to London and her state funeral in 1901.[130]

Altar plate[edit]

Altar dishes behind George V at his coronation in 1911, showing their relative size. It was the first coronation to be photographed.[131]

In the Jewel House there is a collection of chalices, patens and dishes – all silver-gilt except five gold communion vessels – that are displayed on the high altar or in front of the royal box at Westminster Abbey during a coronation, and used at various other times.[132]

One of the most striking pieces is a large dish weighing 13 kg (29 lb), in the centre of which is a relief depiction of the Last Supper. Around the edge at the top, bottom and sides are four engravings of biblical scenes: the Washing of the Feet, the Walk to Emmaus, the Coming of the Holy Ghost, and Christ's Commission to the Apostles, divided by scrolls of foliage. Made by London goldsmith Henry Greenway in 1664 for the Duke of York and later acquired by Charles II, it stands on the high altar during the coronation ceremony.[133]

Other pieces include the altar dish and flagon made in 1691 by Francis Garthorne and St John Hoyte respectively for the royal chapel at the Tower of London. The dish measures 70 cm (2 ft) across; it also has a depiction of the Last Supper, below which is the coat of arms of William and Mary.[134] Its rim is engraved with cherubs, scrollwork and fruit. The flagon is 42.5 cm (1 ft) tall and has similar decoration.[135] Both pieces are still used in the chapel three times a year on Easter, Whitsun and Christmas and they have been displayed in Westminster Abbey at every coronation since 1821.[136]

The Maundy Dish is one of six used by the Queen at Royal Maundy for handing out alms to elderly people in recognition of their service to the church and local community. The ceremony, which takes place in a different cathedral every year, entirely replaced the ancient custom of washing the feet of the poor in 1730, and the dish, though it bears the cypher of William and Mary, dates from the reign of Charles II. Two purses containing specially minted coins are taken from the dish and presented to each recipient.[137]

A pair of 96-centimetre (3 ft) tall candlesticks made in the 17th century stand on either side of the high altar. These are engraved all over with scrolls, leaves and flowers, and were also used at the lying in state of Edward VII at Buckingham Palace in 1910.[138]

Banqueting plate[edit]

George IV's coronation banquet was held at Westminster Hall in 1821; it was the last such banquet held there, ending a 632-year-old tradition.

Until the 19th century, the coronation was followed by a banquet at Westminster Hall; the last banquet was held in 1821 for George IV.[139]

Silverware used at the banquets include the Plymouth Fountain, a wine fountain made by the German goldsmith Peter Oehr and presented to Charles II by the city of Plymouth upon the restoration of the monarchy. Gilded for the coronation of George II in 1726, it is 77.5 cm (3 ft) tall, weighs 14.1 kg (31 lb), and is decorated with flowers, fruit, dolphins, mermaids and sea monsters.[140] In theory, a barrel of wine would be placed high up in the rafters of the banqueting hall; from this a pipe ran to a hole at the base of the fountain, and the wine rose to the top, cascading into a large repoussé bowl. The fountain was highly impractical due to the inability to control the rate of flow, and no record exists of it being used in this way at any banquet, though it may have served as a fruit bowl.[141]

The nautical theme is continued in the silver-gilt Wine Cistern, also known as the Grand Punch Bowl; it weighs 257 kg (40 st), is 76 cm (2 ft) tall, 138 cm (5 ft) long and 101 cm (3 ft) wide, and can hold 144 bottles of wine on ice.[142] It was designed by the painter and illustrator Thomas Stothard and made by Rundell & Bridge in 1829 for George IV.[143] The bowl is cast as a giant oyster shell with a scene of Bacchanalian figures harvesting grapes along the rim. On the underside of the shell – supported by a base of crashing waves – hang limpets and stalactites to represent a sea cave.[144] Weighing almost a quarter of a ton, it is the heaviest surviving piece of English banqueting plate.[143] In 1841, the cistern was re-purposed as a punch bowl by Queen Victoria, with the addition of a ladle created by Barnard & Sons. The ivory-stemmed ladle is 1.05 m (3 ft) long and has a silver-gilt bowl in the form of a nautilus shell.[145]

The Exeter Salt, a 45 cm (1 ft) tall salt cellar in the form of a castle, was presented to Charles II by the city of Exeter. It was made in 1630 and is set with around 70 gemstones. Each of its four main compartments held about 29 g (1 oz) of salt, and smaller compartments held pepper and spices.[146] The salt is the only surviving work of the German goldsmith Johann Hass.[147]

The 11 St George's Salts were originally made for a St George's Day banquet of the Knights of the Garter and Charles II in the 17th century. The Queen Elizabeth Salt was made by London goldsmith Affabel Partridge in 1572 for a member of the aristocracy; it was acquired by the Crown at the time of Charles II. Complementing the salts are 12 salt spoons made for the coronation of George IV.

Christening fonts[edit]

The Lily Font on top of the Charles II Font and Basin at the christening of Edward, Prince of Wales, 1842

Charles II, unmarried when he took the throne, persuaded his Treasury to pay for a christening font and basin. His marriage to Catherine of Braganza produced no heir, but the font may have been used to baptise some of his 13 illegitimate children. It was last used in 1796, while the basin found a new role as an altar dish in the 19th century and is on display with the altar plate at the Tower of London.[148]

A christening ewer and basin made by the Garrard & Co. founder George Wickes in 1735 were used at the christening of the future George III in 1738. His father, Frederick, Prince of Wales, had been banished from the royal court by George II and was forbidden to use the Charles II Font.[148] An inscription at the front of the ewer records its use at the christening of George III's son, Prince Alfred, in 1780. The handle of the ewer is topped by a figure of Hercules slaying the Hydra, symbolising the triumph of virtue over vice.[149]

The silver-gilt Lily Font was made in 1840 by E.E.J. & W. Barnard for the christening of Victoria, Princess Royal, the first child of Queen Victoria, who declined to use the Charles II Font because of its unseemly history. The font weighs 9.94 kg (22 lb) and is decorated with water lilies symbolising purity and new life.[150] It was used at the christening of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge in 2015.[151]

Ownership and value[edit]

The Crown Jewels, part of the Royal Collection,[47] are owned by Queen Elizabeth II in right of the Crown.[152] Their ownership, along with that of the royal palaces, is inalienable and passes from one monarch to the next regardless of his or her place in the line of succession. It is impossible to say how much the collection is worth because in addition to the tangible value of the gemstones and precious metals the objects have a rich and unique history, and they will never be sold,[153] nor are they insured against loss.[154]

Crown Jeweller[edit]

Appointed by the monarch, the Crown Jeweller is responsible for the maintenance and, when they leave the Tower of London, security, of the regalia, plate, and fonts. Except for the monarch, only the Crown Jeweller is authorised to handle the Crown Jewels; others may do so with his or her permission.[155] The office holder is on call day and night, 365 days a year to attend to the jewels.[156] William Summers, the fifth incumbent (1962–91), said of his job: "Where the Crown goes, there go I".[155]

The post was created in 1843 by Queen Victoria, who issued a royal warrant to Garrard & Co., and the title of Crown Jeweller was vested in an employee of the company.[157] Until then, Rundell & Bridge had been charged with preparing the objects for use at state occasions and their maintenance in general.[158] To celebrate Garrard & Co.'s 150th anniversary as the warrant holder, a banquet attended by the Princess Royal was held at Goldsmiths' Hall, London, in 1993.[155]

In 2007, Buckingham Palace announced that Garrard & Co.'s services were no longer required, the reason cited being that it was time for a change.[159] The company had been acquired by a private equity firm in 2006.[160] Family business G. Collins & Sons were appointed as the new Crown Jewellers.[161] In 2012, Martin Swift of Mappin & Webb became the eighth Crown Jeweller after Harry Collins gave up the role.[162]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ This figure counts the candlesticks as two objects and includes the Diamond Diadem which is omitted from the Tower of London inventory.
  2. ^ Technically, the Crown Jewels are the regalia and vestments used or worn by monarchs and queens consort at a coronation. However, the term is commonly used to refer to the contents of the Jewel House, including the processional and anointing objects, plate, and fonts, which also belong to the Crown.[3]
  3. ^ Vyner outsourced work to fellow members of the Goldsmiths' Company.[41]
  4. ^ A comprehensive list of additions and alterations up to the coronation of Queen Victoria can be found in Jones, pp. 63–72.

References[edit]

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  2. ^ "Crown Jewels Factsheet" (PDF). Historic Royal Palaces. Retrieved 16 February 2016. 
  3. ^ "Crown Jewels". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) 267. United Kingdom: House of Commons. 27 November 1995. col. 447W. 
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  5. ^ Keith Parfitt (1995). Iron Age Burials from Mill Hill, Deal. British Museum Press. ISBN 978-0-7141-2304-2. 
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  7. ^ Keay, p. 12.
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  9. ^ "Helmet from the ship-burial at Sutton Hoo". British Museum. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. 
  10. ^ The Sutton Hoo Ship-burial: Arms and Armour and Regalia 2. British Museum. 1978. ISBN 978-0-7141-1331-9. 
  11. ^ Charles Reginald Dodwell (1982). Anglo-Saxon Art: A New Perspective. Manchester University Press. pp. 46–47. ISBN 978-0-7190-0926-6. 
  12. ^ G.N. Garmonsway, ed. (1953). The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. New York: E. P. Dutton. pp. 219–21. 
  13. ^ David M Nicholas (2014). The Evolution of the Medieval World: Society, Government & Thought in Europe 312–1500. Routledge. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-317-89543-5. 
  14. ^ a b Keay, pp. 18–20.
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  52. ^ St Edward's Crown at the Royal Collection.
  53. ^ "Victorian Coat of Arms". Victoria State Government. Retrieved 15 December 2015. 
  54. ^ Thomas Butler (1982). The Crown Jewels and Coronation Ritual. History Press Limited. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-85372-350-9. 
  55. ^ "Image Library: Frame of Queen Victoria's Crown". Historic Royal Palaces. Retrieved 5 January 2016. 
  56. ^ Keay, p. 183.
  57. ^ Mears; Thurley; Murphy, p. 30.
  58. ^ The Diamond Diadem at the Royal Collection.
  59. ^ Ronald Allison; Sarah Riddell (1991). The Royal Encyclopedia. Macmillan Press. p. 173. ISBN 978-0-333-53810-4. 
  60. ^ The Journal of Gemmology 23. Gemmological Association of Great Britain. 1992. p. 41. 
  61. ^ Paul D. Van Wie (1999). Image, History and Politics: The Coinage of Modern Europe. University Press of America. pp. 63–64. ISBN 978-0-7618-1222-7. 
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  82. ^ The Jewelled Sword of Offering at the Royal Collection.
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  85. ^ Keay, p. 193.
  86. ^ St Edward's Staff at the Royal Collection.
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  88. ^ Keay, p. 63.
  89. ^ Keay, p. 191.
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  99. ^ Twining, p. 173.
  100. ^ The Ampulla at the Royal Collection.
  101. ^ The Coronation Spoon at the Royal Collection.
  102. ^ Strong, pp. 78–79.
  103. ^ Strong, p. 271.
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  105. ^ The Supertunica at the Royal Collection.
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  111. ^ The Armills at the Royal Collection.
  112. ^ Mears; Thurley; Murphy, p. 17.
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  116. ^ Rose, p. 107.
  117. ^ Rose, p. 54.
  118. ^ The Queen Consort's Ring at the Royal Collection.
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  120. ^ a b Rose, p. 42.
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  129. ^ Rose, p. 46.
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  133. ^ Altar Dish at the Royal Collection.
  134. ^ Altar Dish at the Royal Collection.
  135. ^ Flagon at the Royal Collection.
  136. ^ Younghusband; Davenport, p. 44.
  137. ^ Office for the Royal Maundy (2011). The Maundy Service (PDF). Westminster Abbey. 
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Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

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