THE REGALIA IN THE TOWER
The Crowns—St. Edward the Confessor’s Crown, or the Crown of
England—Original destroyed by the Commonwealth—A replica made for
Charles II on his Restoration—The Cap of Maintenance—The King’s
State Crown—Made for Queen Victoria out of ancient stones—Historic
gems set in it—Thousands of precious stones of all colours—The
Imperial Crown of India—Made for George V when crowned Emperor of
India—The reason for making this new crown—Cost £60,000—Contains
6000 precious stones—The Queen’s Crowns—Crown of Mary of Modena—The
diadem of Mary of Modena—Cost £110,000—Beautiful and simple though
costly—Queen Mary’s Crown—Set entirely with diamonds—The Koh-i-Nur,
its chief glory—Two portions of the Star of Africa—The Prince of
Wales’ Crown as eldest son of the King—Coronet of the Prince of
Wales at Carnarvon Castle—The King’s Sceptre with the Star of
Africa—The King’s Sceptre with the Dove—The Queen’s Sceptre with the
Cross—The Queen’s Sceptre with the Dove—The Queen’s Ivory Rod—St.
Edward’s Staff—The King’s Orb—The Queen’s Orb.
THE CROWNS
THE most valuable and important portions of the Regalia, and those which
appeal most to the eye and the imagination, are the Royal Crowns. Of
these there are three which pertain to the reigning sovereign, whether a
King or a Queen. Next there are two crowns and a diadem which pertain to
the Queen Consort, when a King is on the throne. And lastly there is the
crown of the eldest son of the King, who is, if not by right yet at the
King’s pleasure, always created Prince of Wales.
The three crowns of the Sovereign are:
(1) St. Edward the Confessor’s Crown, or the Crown of England.
(2) The Imperial State Crown.
(3) The Imperial Crown of India.
The original crown of Edward the Confessor was destroyed by the
Commonwealth, but on the restoration of Charles II a replica was made,
and this is the crown now to be seen in the Jewel House, and is the one
with which all the Kings and Queens of England have been crowned since
1661. It was made of “massie gold” and is of the shape known as royal in
contradistinction to the form described as imperial. The shape of a
Royal crown is familiar to all from childhood upwards, for it is the
crown which stands on the shield supported by the lion and the unicorn
in the arms of England.
True, the older figure has become somewhat blurred to the younger
generation, since Edward VII substituted an Imperial Crown for the older
shape on many things, including the Royal mail and Royal note-paper.
This was done of set purpose, being a sign and portent that the kingdom
had grown into a world-wide empire, greater far and more rich and
populous than any empire that had existed since the beginning of the
world. But the Crown of England retains its ancient shape. Round the
band of this Crown are set at intervals great stones of different
colours, red, and blue, and green, and yellow. Above the band stand
alternately fleurs-de-lis and crosses patés, from these spring the two
golden arches of the Crown, edged all the way with large pearls. These
arches are the insignia of a ruling monarch; without them the Crown
would remain only a coronet. Where the two arches cross each other they
are deeply depressed, and in the hollow thus formed stands a monde or
globe of gold. On the monde is fixed a richly jewelled cross with large
drop-shaped pearls, pendent from the arms. The weight of this Crown is
nearly 5 lbs.
Inside the Crown is the Cap of Maintenance of purple velvet, with an
edging of minever to protect the King’s head from too hard a contact
with solid gold. The original Crown of England, of which, as has been
mentioned, this is a copy, is said to have descended century after
century from Edward the Confessor, who ascended the throne in 1042. The
Vandals of the Commonwealth have much to answer for!
The King’s State Crown is more beautiful, and intrinsically of immensely
greater value than St. Edward’s Crown. It is, however, as a crown
comparatively modern, the custom being for each succeeding King or Queen
to have their own State Crown made afresh. But the stones that are set
in it, of which there are many thousands, are mostly of very great age,
and have been used century after century to adorn the State Crowns of
successive Kings and Queens.
The State Crown now in the Tower was made for Queen Victoria, in 1839,
and with some alterations and additions has been so preserved by Edward
VII and George V. Of the large jewels in it, such as the Black Prince’s
ruby. Queen Elizabeth’s pearl earrings, the Stuart sapphire, the
sapphire of Edward the Confessor, and the Star of South Africa,[4]
historical records proclaim their origin. But the thousands of smaller
stones carry with them their own age, for certain forms of cutting
pertain to certain centuries. Thus the table-cut diamond is an older
stone than the rose-cut, and the rose-cut is older than the brilliant.
Inversely no brilliant in the present Crown could have been in that of
Charles II, for this process of cutting was then unknown.
The State Crown is of the Imperial, as distinguished from the Royal
shape of the older crown; thus the arches are not depressed where they
cross each other, but slope up to the monde. In the band the two great
stones are the Star of South Africa in front, and the Stuart sapphire
exactly opposite it at the back. Between these, round the band at
intervals are very large sapphires, rubies, and emeralds thickly
encrusted with diamonds. Above the band are alternate crosses patés and
fleurs-de-lis in diamonds, in the centre of each being a large coloured
gem. Indeed, the whole Crown is a complete mass of diamonds interspersed
with coloured gems and pearls. Up the arches which spring from the
crosses patés are clusters of diamonds formed to represent oak leaves
with the acorns represented by large pearls. The device on the arches is
commemorative of the oak of Boscobel, in which Charles II hid for his
life when a fugitive. The Black Prince’s ruby, which is as large as an
egg, is set at the foot of the front arch. The monde is covered with a
complete mass of diamonds so closely set as to leave no metal visible.
On top of the monde is a large cross paté, also an entire mass of
diamonds, and in the centre of it is set the magnificent sapphire which
was once in the coronation ring of Edward the Confessor. Where the two
arches cross may be seen pendent four very large pearls as large as
small birds’ eggs. These were Queen Elizabeth’s earrings. Inside this
Crown is a purple velvet Cap of Maintenance edged round the bottom with
minever. This Crown weighs 39 oz. 5 dwts.
[Illustration: THE IMPERIAL INDIAN CROWN]
The third Crown of the King is the Imperial Crown of India, made for
George V when he was crowned Emperor of India in 1912. As mentioned
elsewhere, the Crown of England is not allowed by ancient law to leave
the shores of the British Isles; consequently this new Crown had to be
made. The work was entrusted to the Court Jewellers, Messrs. Garrard,
and a very fine example of the jeweller’s art was the result. The Crown
cost £60,000, and is adorned with some six thousand precious stones.
These are mostly diamonds, but some very large and valuable coloured
stones are also displayed. Notably a large cabuchon emerald in front of
the band of the Crown, a very fine ruby in the front cross paté, and a
very valuable emerald in the cross paté on top of the Crown. In shape
the Crown approaches nearer the Imperial shape as pictorially known.
Instead of two arches as in the other crowns there are eight demi arches
which incline upwards to support the monde instead of being depressed to
receive it. These demi arches spring from the eight crosses patés and
fleurs-de-lis, which stand on the band of the Crown. The monde, as well
as all the crosses patés and fleurs-de-lis, are a mass of diamonds with
a large coloured gem in the centre of each. Inside the Crown is the Cap
of Maintenance of purple velvet bound at the bottom with minever.
The Queen also has three crowns, or rather two crowns and a diadem.
These are the crown first made for Mary of Modena, Queen of James II, a
diadem made for the same Queen, and the present Queen Mary’s State
Crown.
Queen Mary of Modena’s Crown is small in size, and was made to be worn
on top of the head and not to fit it. The general effect may be noticed
on the statue of Queen Anne which stands outside St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Indeed, this is very probably a representation of identically this same
crown. It is adorned entirely with diamonds and pearls, and has no
coloured stones. Round the band is a continuous succession of
large-sized diamonds, and above these is a string of pearls each as
large as a pea running completely round the circumference. Above the
band alternately are crosses patés and fleurs-de-lis, also in diamonds.
From the crosses patés spring the two arches of the crown; these are
adorned with rows of large pearls with diamonds on each side of the
rows. At the point of crossing the arches are depressed, and on this
depression rests the monde, a mass of small diamonds. On the monde is
fixed a cross of diamonds with large pearls at the points. The Cap is of
crimson velvet bordered at the bottom with minever.
[Illustration: DIADEM OF QUEEN MARY OF MODENA, WIFE OF JAMES II]
The diadem belonging to the same Queen, and said to have been given her
by James II at a cost of £110,000, is of a beautiful and simple design.
Not being a crown, it has no arches, and is in fact simply a broad gold
circlet thickly encrusted with diamonds, the top edge being bordered by
a row of large pearls touching each other all the way round. In front
this row of pearls is slightly arched, and a large diamond is fixed in
the apex. The diadem is fitted with a cap of crimson velvet bound at the
bottom with minever. This diadem was worn by Mary of Modena on the way
to her Coronation, and during the ceremony it was replaced by the Crown,
above described, which she wore as she returned to the Palace in State
with the King.
[Illustration: THE QUEEN’S STATE CROWN.
Reproduced by permission of Messrs. Cassell & Co.,
from a painting made by Mr. Cyril Davenport (Copyright).]
The most important and most beautiful of the Queen’s crowns is that
which belongs to Her present Majesty, for not only is it officially, but
privately the property of Queen Mary, though three of the great diamonds
in it may belong to the State. It was designed and made by Messrs.
Garrard, and is certainly of great credit to twentieth century
workmanship. The crown is set with diamonds throughout, no coloured
stones having been used. In front of the band is one of the four large
Stars of Africa, and round the band are alternate roses and crosses
composed of diamonds. The rims of the band are also set continuously
with small diamonds. On the band stand three fleurs-de-lis and three
crosses patés alternately, all set with diamonds. In the centre of the
front cross paté is the great and historic Koh-i-Nur diamond.[5] From
the fleurs-de-lis and crosses paté spring six demi arches which slope
gracefully upwards to support the monde. The monde is completely
encrusted with small diamonds. On the monde stands a cross paté, in the
centre of which is displayed another of the Stars of Africa, drop-shaped
with the point downwards. Inside the Crown is a purple velvet cap lined
at the bottom with minever. The Crown is of considerable size, made to
fit the head instead of standing on it, as does the older Crown of Queen
Mary of Modena.
The Prince of Wales’ Crown, as it is called, but more correctly the
Crown of the eldest son of the King, is at the Tower. This is distinct
from Prince of Wales’ Coronet, which is kept at Carnarvon Castle. It is
the King’s prerogative to make whom he pleases Prince of Wales, but
usually, as at present, the title is given to the eldest son. The Crown
at the Tower is very simple and only differs in general appearance from
the coronets of some members of the peerage in having one arch over it,
supporting a gold monde and cross. Above the band stand alternately four
gold fleurs-de-lis and four gold crosses patés. Inside is a crimson
velvet cap edged at the bottom with minever. The eldest son of the King
places this Crown on his own head during the Coronation service at the
same time as the peers put on their coronets. On later occasions it is
placed on a stool before the Prince when he attends at the House of
Lords when the King opens Parliament in State.
The Coronet of the Prince of Wales, as such, which as mentioned is kept
at Carnarvon, is a more beautiful and graceful insignia. It consists of
a circlet of gold adorned with pearls and amethysts. Above the circlet
stand alternately four crosses patés and four fleurs-de-lis. These all
are pierced and within the outlines of the former are sprays of the Rose
of England and of the latter the Daffodil of Wales. The daffodil with a
certain amount of excusable heraldic elasticity, is introduced in place
of the more homely though less picturesque leek, the hitherto best known
emblem of the Little Sister. Between the crosses patés and the
fleurs-de-lis are rosebud sprays. This Coronet was made throughout of
Welsh gold, by Messrs. Garrard, in 1911, for Edward, the present Prince
of Wales.
[Illustration: (BEFORE) (AFTER)
THE KING’S ROYAL SCEPTRE BEFORE AND AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE STAR
OF AFRICA]
THE SCEPTRES
Next to the crowns in emblematic importance and kingly dignity come the
sceptres. Of these there are in all five in the Jewel House, each with
its special history and significance. The greatest and most important of
these is the King’s Royal Sceptre with the Cross. It is of gold, richly
jewelled, about three feet long, and was made for Charles II, remaining
practically the same till the reign of Edward VII. When the Stars of
Africa[6] were presented to that monarch he decided to have the largest
portion placed in the head of the Sceptre, but explicit orders were
given that no part of the old Sceptre was to be removed, the diamond was
merely to be inserted. This proved a very difficult problem, but was
successfully solved by Messrs. Garrard, as a comparison of drawings of
the Sceptre before and after clearly show. As seen now, the Star of
Africa is the central attraction, not only from its huge size, but its
extraordinary brilliancy. It is drop-shaped, 2-5/16 in. in length and
1-13/16 in. in width, and weighs 516-1/2 carats. It is held in place by
four very ingeniously contrived gold clasps, which can be opened and the
diamond taken out when required to be worn as a pendant. Above the
diamond on enamelled scrolls stands the great amethyst orb which is
faceted all over, and has round the centre a jewelled band with an arch
of gold, rubies, and diamonds. On top of the amethyst orb is fixed the
Cross, made entirely of diamonds with a large emerald in the centre.
These all form the head of the Sceptre.
Below the great diamond the fleur-de-lis of the old Sceptre has been
cleverly depressed into the form of a support; this is thickly jewelled
with coloured gems and diamonds, and below this again is a jewelled
band. Near the hilt of the Sceptre is a smooth portion for the grip;
above this is a collar of gems and enamels, and below another similar
collar having rich sprays of gold and enamels, thickly jewelled with
coloured stones and diamonds. At the butt is a sphere encrusted with
enamels and precious stones. When the King holds this Sceptre, he may
veritably be said to have in his hand a King’s ransom.
The King’s Sceptre with the Dove comes next in importance. It is a rod
of gold three feet seven inches in length. At the top is a monde or orb
of gold with a fillet round the centre studded with diamonds, and with
an arch above similarly jewelled. From the top of the monde rises a
golden cross, on which is sitting a white enamelled dove with extended
wings, its eyes, beak, and feet of gold. Below the monde is a band
studded with diamonds, and beneath this another band with drooping
designs, ornamented with coloured gems and diamonds. In the centre of
the Sceptre is an ornamental band of enamels and gems, and gold
open-work with coloured gems, enamels, and diamonds. Nearer to the
bottom of the Sceptre is another band with large jewels. The boss at the
foot of the Sceptre is encircled by two bands, one jewelled and the
other enamelled. The Dove is symbolical of the Holy Ghost. This Sceptre
is borne in the sovereign’s left hand during one portion of the ceremony
at the Coronation.
Next we have the Queen’s Sceptre with the Cross which was originally
made for Queen Mary of Modena. It is made of gold ornamented with
diamonds, and is two feet ten inches in length. At the top is a double
fleur-de-lis thickly set with fair-sized diamonds. Above this is a
golden monde, round which is a fillet thickly adorned with diamonds, the
arch over the monde being similarly decorated. On the monde stands a
cross which has a large diamond on each of its arms and one in the
centre. The middle of the Sceptre is ornamented with sprays formed of
open-work in gold, with leaves and flowers composed of large and small
diamonds. The Sceptre ends with an elaborately jewelled boss.
The Queen’s Sceptre with the Dove resembles that of the King, but is
rather smaller and is differently ornamented. Thus the fillet encircling
the monde and the arch over it are ornamented with coloured gems as well
as diamonds, and with leaves enamelled red and white. At the middle of
the Sceptre is a collar of dark blue enamel, ornamented with gems and
designs in white enamel. Near the foot is another more elaborate collar
with sprays of open-work in gold, ornamented thickly with gems and
enamels. At the foot is a boss with ornaments of gold, gems, and
enamels. This sceptre was lost for many years, but was eventually found,
in 1814, hidden at the back of a shelf in the Jewel House.
[Illustration: The King’s Sceptre before the Star of Africa was
introduced.
The Queen’s Sceptre with the Cross.
THE KING’S ORB.
Reproduced by permission of Messrs. Cassell & Co.,
from a painting made by Mr. Cyril Davenport (_Copyright_).]
The Queen’s Ivory Rod was destroyed by the Commonwealth, but a replica
of it was made for Queen Mary of Modena, and this is now in the Jewel
House. This Rod or Sceptre also has a dove on top of it, but with closed
wings. It stands on a gold cross which in its turn rises from a gold
monde. The dove has golden eyes, beak, and feet. The Rod, which, as its
name implies, is made of ivory, is in three pieces, with collars of gold
at the joining points. Its total length is three feet one and a half
inches. The boss at the bottom is very similar to the monde at the top,
and both are ornamented with champlevé enamels.
St. Edward’s Staff, known also from very early days as the Rod of
Justice and Equity, is a replica made for Charles II of the ancient
staff destroyed by the Commonwealth. It is much longer than any of the
sceptres, being four feet seven and a half inches in length, and being
intended to be used as a walking staff, is shod with a spike of steel
like an alpine-stock. It is made of plain bright gold, and at the top
has a gold monde surmounted by a gold cross. In the monde of the
original Staff was a piece of the true cross. This Staff is
emblematically intended to guide the King’s footsteps in the way he
should go.
THE ORBS
There are two Orbs in the Jewel House, one for the King and the other
for the Queen. The orb is a very ancient Christian emblem, and signifies
the domination of the Christian religion over the world. It may be
described as a globe of gold on which stands a cross. The King’s Orb,
which is known as the Orb of England, is a very valuable and richly
gemmed emblem, and is only placed in the hand of the King or Queen who
is actual sovereign of the realm. The Queen’s Orb, which is of somewhat
less importance and value, and smaller in size, is the insignia of a
Queen Consort.
The King’s Orb is a golden globe six inches in diameter, round the
centre of which is a fillet of gold outlined with fine pearls and
ornamented with clusters of gems, the gems being set in borders of white
and red enamel. The centre stones of these clusters are large rubies,
sapphires, and emeralds, each surrounded by diamonds. Over the top of
the Orb is an arch of similar design and similarly jewelled. Standing on
the Orb is a large amethyst on which is fixed the cross. The amethyst is
of remarkable size and beauty, one and a half inches in height and
faceted all over. The cross is a very beautiful one, and has in the
centre on one side an emerald and on the other a sapphire, each
surrounded with diamonds. The outlines of the cross are marked by rows
of diamonds, and there are three large diamonds along the centre of each
arm. At the foot of the cross, where it rests on the great amethyst, is
a collar of diamonds. At the ends of each of the arms is a large pearl,
and in each of the four inner corners is also a large pearl. This Orb
was made for Charles II by Sir Robert Vyner to replace an older orb
destroyed by the Commonwealth.
The Queen’s Orb owes its origin to Mary, wife of William of Orange. By
right of succession, Mary was Queen of England, and William her Consort,
but she insisted on a joint occupation of the throne. Thus it came about
that William III was crowned King of England and took the King’s Orb in
his hand, whilst a smaller replica was made for Queen Mary. Though in
general appearance they are much alike, the Queen’s Orb is not so
important or handsome as that of the King. The globe is of polished
gold, and round it is a fillet outlined with large pearls and studded
with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. These coloured stones are
alternately circular and octagonal, and are set in collars of gold. The
arch over the Orb is ornamented in a similar manner. The cross, which
stands on top, is studded with rubies, sapphires, and diamonds,
differently arranged on either side.
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