CHAPTER XII

THE ORDERS OF CHIVALRY

The Order of the Garter—Its date and origin—Gentlemen of the Blood—The

three Reproaches—St. George’s Chapel—The Garter of blue and gold—The

Robes and Star—The Order of the Thistle—Its ancient origin—The

Mantle and Riband—An expensive Order—The Order of St. Patrick—“Quis

separabit”—The Mantle, Collar, and Star—The Order of Merit—Its

origin—Very select—Confers no precedence—The Order of the Bath—The

Most Honorable Order—Its great age and origin—To every knight a

bath—Originally one, now three grades—Civil Knights—The Star of

India—Cause of its creation—The three grades—The insignia—St.

Michael and St. George—Curious origin of the Order—Its growth and

expansion—“Auspicium Melioris”—The Badge—Order of the Indian

Empire—Date and reason for its institution—The Mantle, Collar, Star,

and Badge—The Royal Victorian Order—Five grades and grand chain—The

Order of the British Empire—Had its origin in the Great War—Open to

Ladies as well as Gentlemen—Five grades—The Badge and ribbon—The

Crown of India—The Ladies’ Order—Very select indeed—The Badge of

diamonds, pearls, and turquoises—The Victoria Cross—“For

Valour”—Costs threepence—The most highly prized decoration—Its

precedence—The Distinguished Service Order—Its chequered career—The

good effect of the Great War—The Military Cross and Distinguished

Service Cross—A product of the Great War—The D.F.C. and A.F.C.—The

D.C.M. and C.G.M.—The M.M. and D.S.M.—The increase of Orders and

decorations during the past century.

TOGETHER with the King’s Treasure in the Jewel House are kept the

insignia of the Orders of Chivalry as well as decorations for bravery in

battle.

The oldest of these is the Order of the Garter, which was created by

Edward III as far back as the year 1348. It is rather English that so

ancient and highly esteemed an honour should owe its origin to quite a

trivial incident. A lady, the Countess of Salisbury, who was dancing

with the King at a Court Ball, dropped her garter. In this less

emotional age nobody would be greatly amused if a lady dropped her

garter; probably few would even notice it, unless perchance it happened

to be set with diamonds. But in 1348 very small jokes apparently went a

long way, and the dropping of this particular lady’s garter caused vast

amusement amongst the gallants. A garter is a garter, and there is

evidently nothing either indecent or improper or even amusing about it;

it is merely an article used by a few people now, and most people of

both sexes in those days, to keep their stockings from slipping down.

However, there was the garter on the floor, and the fine gentlemen

sniggering at it, whilst the poor lady who owned this harmless article

was covered with confusion. In this tremendous crisis the King with a

courtesy lacking amongst his courtiers stepped forward, picked up the

garter, tied it round his own knee, and uttered the well-known rebuke,

“Honi soit qui mal y pense.” For English Kings spoke French in those

days.

Edward III. was a gentleman, and it is not a little interesting to find

that the oldest Order, not only in England but in the world, owes its

origin to a little act of courtesy. In ancient days the Order was termed

a Fraternity of Knights, and these were chosen by the King from amongst

the most noble of those about the Royal person. They were not

necessarily warriors of the sword, but must be Gentlemen of the Blood,

such as the King thought fit to wear the same emblem as himself. A

Gentleman of the Blood, it is explained, was one who could claim three

descents in the _noblesse_, both on his father’s and also his mother’s

side.

In bestowing the Garter the exhortation used was: “Sir, the loving

Company of the Order of the Garter hath received you their Brother,

Lover, and Fellow, and in token and knowledge of this, they give you and

present you with this present Garter, the which God will that you

receive and wear henceforth to his praise and pleasure and to the

exaltation and honour of the said Most Noble Order and of yourself.”

No person who had been convicted of error against the Christian faith,

or of high treason, or of cowardice in face of the enemy could become a

Knight of the Garter. And if being already a Knight he was guilty of

either of these three “Reproaches,” his spurs were cut off, his banner

removed, and he was summarily expelled from the Order. The only other

grave offence mentioned is for appearing without his Garter, the penalty

for which was a fine of one mark! Evidently, however, it was found that

the Garter could not conveniently be worn with long boots, so by special

enactment a Knight so booted might wear a blue silk riband instead.

Later on the Order somewhat changed its character, for it came to be

bestowed not only on persons of high lineage as such, but also on those

who had reached places of eminence in the public service, like Thomas

Cromwell, Earl of Essex, whose father was a shearer. As we come still

further down in the ages we find it established, as at present, that

though a number of vacancies in the Order are reserved for peers of the

realm, yet it is also conferred as the very highest distinction

attainable on soldiers, sailors, and statesmen who have done very

conspicuous service to the State, whatever their lineage.

Exclusive of Royal personages, there are only twenty-five Knights of the

Garter. The King is Sovereign of the Order, and some fourteen foreign

Kings, English and foreign Princes, are amongst the Royal Knights. These

include the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Duke of Connaught,

Prince Arthur of Connaught, the King of Spain, the King of Norway, the

King of Italy, and the King of Denmark.

Until recently the German Emperor figured amongst the Knights, but his

banner was taken down and his name removed from the Order in knightly

disapproval of the unknightly manner in which the Germans were held to

have waged war on land and sea. The name of the Emperor of Russia has

also disappeared from the roll, through his tragic death. Amongst the

great soldiers who won their spurs in the field were the Duke of

Marlborough, the Duke of Wellington, Earl Roberts, and Earl Kitchener.

The only two Ladies of the Order are Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra.

The Chapel of the Knights of the Garter is St. George’s Chapel at

Windsor Castle, and there may be seen the stalls of the Knights with

their banners suspended over them. When a Knight dies or is degraded,

his banner is removed and that of his successor is hoisted in its place,

whilst a small brass plate is left as a lasting record of each

succeeding Knight in each of the stalls.

The Garter itself is of blue ribbon edged with gold, and has a buckle

and pendent of gold richly chased. Round the Garter in gold is the motto

of the Order, “Honi soit qui mal y pense.” The Garter is worn below the

left knee by a Knight, and round the left arm above the elbow by a Lady.

The Mantle or Robe is of blue velvet, of a shade which has come to be

known as garter blue, on the left breast of which the Star is

embroidered. It is lined with white taffeta, and has a crimson velvet

hood. The surcoat is also of crimson velvet, lined with white taffeta.

The Hat is a very imposing affair made of black velvet and of a curious

shape. The plume is of white ostrich feathers with a tuft of black

heron’s feathers in the centre. It is fastened to the hat by a band of

diamonds.

The Collar consists of a string of gold and enamelled red roses, from

which hangs a presentment of St. George attacking the dragon. Across his

breast the Knight wears the broad riband of the Order, from which is

pendent a lesser presentiment of the same incident, which is known as

the Badge.

The Star is eight-pointed and made of silver, though it is not unusual

for a Knight, or his generous friends, to substitute a diamond star.

Such a diamond Star was presented by his friends to Lord Roberts, and

the Mary’s of the Empire gave a similar token of their regard to Queen

Mary.

A Knight of the Garter is the only Knight who wears his Star in evening

dress at a private dinner party. All other Knights only wear their stars

on such special occasions as are laid down, but always when asked to

meet royalties. In this connection it may be interesting to mention that

though a Knight may belong to many Orders, he only wears the Star of the

senior one at these parties. If he were in uniform he would, of course,

wear all he possessed, as may be gathered from the photographs of

celebrated admirals and field-marshals which are to be seen in the

illustrated papers.

The Order of the Thistle claims a very ancient origin, for though it was

only organised as a knightly fraternity by James II in 1687, the Royal

Warrant issued by that monarch mentions that “His Majesty’s royal

predecessor, Achaius King of Scots, did institute the most ancient and

the most noble Order of the Thistle, under the protection of St. Andrew,

Patron of Scotland: in commemoration of a signal Victory obtained by the

said Achaius over Athelstan, King of the Saxons, after a bloody battle,

in the time of which there appeared in the heavens a White Cross in the

form of that upon which the Apostle Saint Andrew suffered martyrdom.”

When James II abdicated, the Order fell into desuetude, but was again

revived by Queen Anne in 1703.

The Mantle is of green velvet, with the Badge of the Order embroidered

on the left side. The Riband of the Order is green. The Star of this

Order consists of a St. Andrew’s Cross laid on a silver star. In the

centre of this combination is a Thistle of green and gold upon a field

of gold, surrounded by a circle of green, bearing the motto of the

Order, “Nemo me impune lacessit.” The Collar is formed of thistles

intermingled with sprigs of rue, and from it pendent is the Badge or

Jewel, representing St. Andrew wearing a green gown and purple surcoat,

and bearing before him a white enamelled cross.

The Order consists of the Sovereign and sixteen Knights, one of the most

recent of whom, it may be remembered, is Field-Marshal Earl Haig.

The Thistle was a most expensive Order in ancient days, the fees on

admission amounting to £347, a very considerable sum at that time.

Edward VII reduced this to £50, which is the sum now paid by a Knight to

the Treasury on admission to the Order.

The Order of St. Patrick is of more recent origin, and owes its

inception to George III in 1783. It is an Irish Order modelled on the

Fraternity of the Knights of the Garter, and was intended to emphasise

the unity of the United Kingdom. To further which idea the new Order was

given the motto, “Quis separabit?” A pertinent inquiry to which Sinn

Feiners and other extraordinary persons have since made constant

endeavours to return a disloyal reply.

The Mantle is of Irish tabbinet of a very beautiful shade of light blue,

and is lined with white silk. On the right shoulder is a blue hood of

the same material lined also with white silk. On the left side is

embroidered the Star of the Order. The Collar is of gold composed of

roses and harps alternately, and at the bottom is a harp surmounted by

an Imperial Crown. The Badge is of gold of an oval form, in the centre

of which is a trefoil with three crowns, standing on the cross of St.

Patrick and surrounded with a wreath of shamrock. Round the wreath is

the motto of the Order.

The Star consists of the Cross of St. Patrick gules, on a field argent,

surmounted by a trefoil vert, charged with three Imperial Crowns with a

circle of azure containing the motto, “Quis separabit?” and the date

“MDCCLXXXIII” in letters of gold. The whole is encircled by four greater

and four lesser rays of silver. This Star also can at the expense of the

Knight or his friends be fashioned in diamonds. The Riband is light blue

and is worn across the breast from left to right, the Badge being worn

at the tie over the left thigh.

The Order of Merit has a somewhat curious origin. There were, and are,

certain Englishmen of the very highest eminence who are averse to being

other than plain “Mr.” to the end of their days. Peerages, baronetcies,

and knighthoods have no attraction for them. Such men were Mr. Joseph

Chamberlain and Mr. Gladstone, and such to-day is Mr. Arthur Balfour.

The feeling is a noble one and quite in accordance with the best

traditions of the English character. King Edward VII, in the hope of

finding an acceptable road, therefore instituted the Order of Merit,

which carries no title with it and no precedence. To make the Order

exceedingly select and highly prized the number of members may not

exceed twenty-four, and it is open only to those who have performed

exceptional meritorious services in the navy, army, art, literature, and

science. The King may also bestow the honour as extra members on

foreigners of distinction.

The Badge of the Order consists of a Cross of red and blue enamel of

eight points, with the addition of cross swords in the case of a naval

or military officer. On it is a laurel wreath upon a centre of blue

enamel, and the motto of the Order “For Merit,” in letters of gold. On

the reverse, within laurel leaves on blue enamel, is the cipher of King

Edward in gold. Above is the Imperial Crown enamelled in proper colours.

The riband of the Order is parti-coloured, garter blue and crimson.

One of the latest recipients of the Order is Mr. Lloyd George, and other

distinguished members are Field-Marshal Viscount French, Viscount

Morley, Sir William Crookes, Thomas Hardy, Sir Archibald Geikie, Mr.

Arthur Balfour, and Field-Marshal Earl Haig.

The Order confers no precedence, but the initials O.M. are authorised to

be placed after the G.C.B. and before all other initials. What happens

when the wife of an O.M. meets at a dinner party the wife of a G.C.S.I.

opens up a vista of precedental problems which the Lord Chamberlain’s

office could alone solve.

Next to the Garter the Order of the Bath is the most ancient and most

honourable. Indeed, the Bath is entitled “The Most Honourable Order,”

and though it has precedence below the Garter, Thistle, and St. Patrick,

it is in some respects superior to these, for it can only be earned in

reward for services rendered. It is also older than any other Order in

the world except the Garter, being some fifty years older than the Order

of the Golden Fleece. It was said by a foreigner, that any English title

or decoration could be bought except the Order of the Bath. That is a

somewhat sweeping assertion, though we ourselves allow that one of the

blots on English public life is that peerages, baronetcies, and

knighthoods can be, and are, bought from the political party in power.

Happily it is still, as from the beginning, impossible to buy the Order

of the Bath. Probably this fact, as well as its ancient and knightly

origin, gives the Order its high standing, and we may venture to hope

that it will never be otherwise.

It is not perhaps generally known that the Order of the Bath literally

came from the common or domestic hip-bath. Long before this Order was

instituted it was customary for warriors, who led in those times very

strenuous days and nights, fighting, eating and drinking, and making

love, to take a warm bath the night before they were knighted. This

ablution had partly a temporal and partly a spiritual significance. It

was not, however, till 1399 that Henry IV determined to make a permanent

institution of an Order for Knights of the Sword, and named it the Order

of the Bath.

Space does not allow of giving the full ritual, which may be read

elsewhere,[22] but the actual taking of a warm bath was one of the

leading features. This bath was taken in the large hall adjoining St.

John’s Chapel in the White Tower, Tower of London. Whilst the Knight was

in his bath the King came in accompanied by prelates and noblemen, and

dipping his finger in the water made a cross on the Knight’s back.

A curious complication arose in this connection when a Queen, in the

person of Mary I, came to the throne, for naturally she could not go

about making crosses on the backs of naked young Knights. But both in

Queen Mary’s reign and in that of Queen Elizabeth the difficulty was

tided over by delegating a nobleman of high rank to act for the Queen.

On the King’s departure the Knight was put into a bed to dry and warm,

bath towels apparently being little known in those days. Having thus

become dry and warm the Knight put on a monk’s frock and then proceeded

into St. John’s Chapel, where he watched his arms all night. On the

morrow he rode in procession with other Knights of the Bath before the

King to Westminster. This custom has long been discontinued; the Knight

takes his bath at home as usual, and then proceeds to Buckingham Palace

and is there Knighted by the King.

Originally there was one grade in the Order, that of Knight, but now

there are three grades: Grand Cross, Knight Commander, and Companion. Up

to 1847 only soldiers and sailors distinguished in war could be

appointed, thus keeping up the knightly heritage; moreover they must

have been mentioned in despatches, and must be field officers or of

corresponding rank in the navy. In 1847 the Order was made more elastic

so as to include civilians who had done eminent service to the State,

and also it was opened to distinguished foreigners. The insignia,

however, for a civilian member is different from that of a military

member, though the ribands are the same. Here has resulted a very

curious anomaly. After the Waterloo campaign the Order of the Bath was

swept and garnished, so to speak, and amongst other innovations the

insignia was remade in the shape of an eight-pointed cross, much on the

lines of the Legion of Honour, inaugurated by Napoleon I. When the civil

division was introduced in 1847 the insignia assigned was an oval gold

medallion, having a trefoil in open work in the centre. This insignia,

thus revived, must have been the old and original emblem worn by Knights

of the Bath from very ancient days. An old engraving for instance of the

Black Prince shows this very form of medallion round his neck.

A Grand Cross of the Bath wears a robe of red silk with the badge of the

Order embroidered on the left side, and the collar of the Order. He also

alone wears the broad riband across his chest with the badge at the tie,

and a special Star. A Knight Commander wears a smaller star on the left

side of his coat, and the insignia of the Order round his neck. A

Companion wears only the insignia, of a smaller size, round his neck.

Members of the three grades carry after their names the initials G.C.B.,

K.C.B., and C.B.

Next in precedence to the Bath comes the Star of India, though it dates

only from 1861, an interval of nearly 500 years. The precedence thus

given was probably a matter of policy after the Indian Mutiny, the Order

having, it is expressly stated, been inaugurated for the purpose of

rendering high honour to conspicuous loyalty and merit amongst the

princes, chiefs, and people of the Indian Empire. The Order is, however,

open not only to Indians, but to Englishmen who have performed

distinguished service in, or connected with, India.

As in the case of the Bath, this Order is divided into three grades:

Grand Commander, Knight Commander, and Companion. It will be noticed

that the word “Commander” is used instead of “Cross” in the highest

grade. This was out of deference to the Mahomedan subjects of the

sovereign, for to a Mahomedan the cross is a Christian symbol, and as

such, like ham and bacon, a thing to be avoided.

The Robe of the Grand Commander is of light blue silk with the Badge of

the Order embroidered on the left side. The riband, stars, and insignia

are worn by the three grades as described for the Order of the Bath.

The insignia is a very beautiful and valuable jewel. It consists of an

onyx cameo, having in the centre the effigy of Queen Victoria. This is

set in an oval gold band which contains the motto, “Heaven’s Light our

Guide,” in diamonds. The three grades are distinguished by the initials

G.C.S.I., K.C.S.I., and C.S.I. On the death of a member of the Order,

his insignia have to be returned, unless his heirs consent to purchase

them.

After the Napoleonic wars, for some reason which seems now somewhat

obscure, the King, or the Government, or both, appear to have been at

their wits’ end to discover an appropriate medium by which marks of the

royal favour might be suitably conferred upon the natives of Malta and

the Ionian Islands. Out of the travail thus begotten emerged the Most

Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George. Indeed, so

pronouncedly foreign was it intended to be that instead of Companions

the members were termed Cavalieri of the Order. After struggling along

for fifty years in Malta and the Ionian Islands, an Order of little

repute or standing, Queen Victoria decided to give it a wider scope and

to throw it open to the whole Empire. After this happy inspiration the

Order grew and prospered, first as a purely civil and colonial

decoration, but latterly chiefly as a military Order, second only in

value and public estimation to the Order of the Bath.

The mantle or robe of a Grand Cross is of Saxon blue satin, lined with

scarlet, having on the left side embroidered the Star of the Order. The

Collar is suitably formed of a chain of Lions of England and Maltese

Crosses, alternately. The Star has seven rays of silver, between each of

which is a small ray of gold; over all the Cross of St. George, gules.

In the centre of the said star is a circle azure whereon is inscribed in

letters of gold the motto of the Order, “Auspicium Melioris,” and the

figure of St. Michael with flaming sword trampling on Satan. “Auspicium

Melioris” may freely be translated, “There is a good time coming,” or

perhaps more sedately, “The promise of a better age.”

On one side of the Badge may be seen St. George slaying the Dragon, and

on the other St. Michael trampling on Satan. The members of the three

grades wear their insignia as laid down for the Bath, and are styled

G.C.M.G., K.C.M.G., and C.M.G.

The Order of the Indian Empire was instituted by Queen Victoria on

January 1st, 1878, to commemorate the proclamation of Her Majesty as

Empress of India, a title then first added to the British Crown. It was

to be bestowed as a reward to those who from time to time were held to

have rendered important services to the Indian Empire. At first it was

bestowed mostly on civilians, but latterly its scope has been broadened,

and it is now given for military services as well.

It may be noticed that whereas the Order of the Bath, which was a purely

military Order, was after nearly five hundred years opened to civilians,

Orders like the Star of India, St. Michael and St. George, and the

Indian Empire, started on exactly opposite lines; they were intended for

civilians only. But happily now all these Orders are open alike to

soldiers, sailors, and civilians who have done in their own lines good

service to their King and Empire, and that is really all that matters.

The robe or mantle of a Grand Cross is of purple satin lined with white

silk, having on the left side embroidered the Star of the Order. The

Collar is Oriental in treatment forming a chain of elephants, lotus

flowers, peacocks in their pride, and Indian roses, all in gold. The

elephants nearly caused an upheaval in a later reign, and the story

shows how easily insurrections are caused amongst so seemingly a docile

people as the Indians. When the design for the coinage of George V was

being decided upon it seemed not inappropriate that the King should be

shown crowned, and wearing the mantle of the Order of the Indian Empire

with the Collar round his neck. Rupees to the number of many hundred

thousands were consequently struck with this presentiment of the King on

them. Hardly were these in circulation when some lynx-eyed political

agitator discovered that the King was wearing the effigy of a pig round

his neck, and as a pig, even in silver, is anathema to a Mahomedan it

was put about by pernicious persons that a calculated insult had thus

been thrust in the most blatant and enduring form on the whole Mahomedan

population. It was quite useless for the Government to assert and vow

that the animal portrayed was not a pig but an elephant, and that if

they looked at the original chain there could be no possible doubt about

it. The Mahomedan agitators were impervious to persuasion, nothing in

the wide world would persuade them that it was not a pig, probably

secretly inserted by some subtle Bengali employed at the mint. Their

co-religionists refused to accept or use this rupee in trade, and so the

Government had to recall the whole issue from circulation and had it

melted down and recoined with the obnoxious chain eliminated.

The Star is of silver, ten pointed, and has in the centre a medallion of

Queen Victoria, around which is a dark blue garter surmounted by an

imperial crown. In gold on the garter is the motto of the Order,

“Imperatricis Auspicus,” which being broadly interpreted is “Honored by

the Empress.”

The Badge is heraldically described as a Rose enamelled gules barbed

vert, having in the centre the effigy of Queen Victoria. The subaltern

who knows nothing of heraldry, and describes things bluntly as they

strike him, wavers between likening it to a jam tart or a squashed

tomato, when suddenly faced with this emblem on the broad chest of his

general. Many, however, think this a very effective decoration

emblematic of the Victorian era.

There are, as in the case of the Bath, three grades of this Order, the

hall marks of which are G.C.I.E., K.C.I.E., and C.I.E., and each of

these in their degree wear stars and insignia in diminishing degree as

with other Orders.

The Royal Victorian Order was created by Queen Victoria in 1896 for

bestowal by the sovereign upon those whose personal services it might be

desired to recognise. There are five classes in this Order ranging from

Knights Grand Cross to Members of the Fifth Class, so that all social

grades can receive a suitable decoration. The Prince of Wales may be at

one end and a Highland gillie at the other. King Edward added a Royal

Victorian Chain to the Order which is only bestowed on very special

occasions. There is no mantle or robe to this Order. The Badge is in the

form of a cross of white enamel, in the centre of which is a medallion

having Queen Victoria’s cipher in the middle, and the word Victoria on a

blue enamel garter round the cipher. Above is an imperial crown in

enamel proper. The Stars of the Grand Cross and Knight Commander of the

Order are of silver and of different patterns and sizes.

The Order of the British Empire was instituted by George V during the

Great War, for the purpose of rewarding those engaged in war work away

from the fighting line. Men and women are equally eligible for all the

five classes of this Order. It is understood that after the services

rendered in the late war have received recognition the Order may fall

into abeyance and no further addition made to its members. The Star is

of silver with a medallion in the centre in red enamel on which is the

figure in gold of Britannia seated. Around is the motto of the Order,

“For God and the Empire.” The Badge is in the form of a cross of grey

enamel and in the centre is the same medallion as on the Star. The

ribbon of civil members is purple, and that for military members the

same, but with a red line down the centre.

The only Order reserved entirely for Ladies is the Crown of India. It

was inaugurated at the same time as the Order of the Indian Empire, and

to commemorate the same event, the assumption of the title of Empress of

India by Queen Victoria. The Ladies eligible for this Order are

princesses of the Royal House, the wives or female relatives of Indian

Princes, and other Indian ladies of high degree. Amongst Englishwomen

eligibility is restricted to the wives, or in the case of a bachelor the

sister, of the Viceroy of India, the Governors of Bengal, Madras and

Bombay, and the Secretary of State for India. The Order is therefore

very select indeed, and one may make a long night’s march through the

ballrooms and dining-rooms of the world without seeing one. The

decoration itself is a beautiful one and worthy to be worn by any lady,

however great. The Badge consists of an oval buckle set round with

pearls closely touching. In the centre is the cipher of Queen Victoria,

the “V” being set with diamonds, the “R” with pearls, and the “I” with

turquoises. Above the oval buckle is an Imperial Crown enamelled proper.

The Badge hangs pendant from a light blue silk bow. The Order is worn on

the left breast.

A quiet-looking and quietly dressed lady was one day looking at the

Crown Jewels, and especially the Orders. When she came to the Crown of

India the official showing her round made the time-honoured joke that to

obtain this beautiful jewel she had only to marry a Viceroy. “I have

already done so,” remarked the quiet lady, and passed on. She was the

wife of a late Viceroy.

The most highly prized decoration in the Army or Navy is the Victoria

Cross. This was instituted by Queen Victoria after the Crimean War for

the purpose of rewarding individual cases of conspicuous gallantry in

presence of the enemy. Hitherto the only war decoration that could be

won by an individual soldier or sailor was the Order of the Bath, and by

the rules of that order no officer below the rank of major, or of

equivalent rank in the Navy, could be recommended for it. Queen

Victoria’s intention was that the Victoria Cross should be open to all

from admiral or general to bugler boy or sailor boy. “Neither rank, nor

long service, nor wounds, nor any other circumstance or condition

whatsoever save the merit of conspicuous bravery (in the presence of the

enemy) shall be held to establish a sufficient claim to the honour.”[23]

The Victoria Cross, like all decorations, has had its ups and downs, but

there is not the least doubt that during the Great War it has upheld its

highest traditions. During its middle history the decoration was perhaps

more popular with the public than with the military, for soldiers in

action saw how often it was a pure matter of luck that one should get

the Cross and another not. The interpretation of the Warrant also

varied, for whereas some generals in the field were very chary about

recommending anyone, others were most liberal. In the South African War

a sumptuary law was passed that no one above the rank of captain should

be recommended, and thus several well-known officers of higher rank were

ruled out and given the Bath instead. This probably came from reading

the first part of the Warrant which emphasises the eligibility of the

junior ranks for the Bath, without reading the context above quoted.

Again at one period nobody could hope to get the Victoria Cross unless

he had assisted a wounded man under fire; it came for a time at any rate

to take the position of a life-saving medal on land, as is the Humane

Society’s medal for saving life from the water. Indeed so obsessed did

some become with this strange doctrine that Lord Roberts himself had the

greatest difficulty in obtaining the Victoria Cross for two very gallant

officers at Kabul in 1879, because their gallantry had no connection

with carrying wounded men out of action.

With these vagaries before them it is not to be wondered at that the

Victoria Cross for some years lost its value amongst officers, indeed it

was openly discussed whether it would not be wiser to reserve the Cross

for the N.C.O.’s and men in the ranks only, and to make all officers

ineligible. This on the grounds that all, or anyway the majority of

British officers, are brave and that it was a pity to draw invidious

distinctions. The Great War has, however, as we have seen, thoroughly

rehabilitated the Victoria Cross, for though there certainly are

hundreds who with better luck would have received it, yet those who have

obtained it have set a very high standard of gallantry in face of the

enemy.

The Cross itself is familiar to all. It is a plain bronze Maltese Cross,

with a Lion standing on a Crown in the centre, and the words “For

Valour” inscribed beneath. The actual cost of the Cross is threepence.

The ribbon is red for all branches of His Majesty’s Service whether on

sea, or land, or the air. When the ribbon is worn in undress a miniature

V.C. is placed on it, and should there be clasps to the V.C. for each

one a miniature is added. Until recently the Navy had a blue ribbon, but

when the Air Force came into being the King thought it better to have

one and the same ribbon for all.

In precedence the Victoria Cross ranks before all decorations and medals

and is worn on the right of all. Thus in addressing a letter to one who

has the Victoria Cross the letters V.C. precede all others, even if the

addressee is a Knight of the Garter or a Grand Cross of the Bath. All

those not of commissioned rank who are decorated with the Victoria Cross

are given a special pension of £10 a year, and for each bar £5 extra per

annum.[24]

The Distinguished Service Order was inaugurated in 1886 by Queen

Victoria, and at the time the general impression in the services was

that it was intended to be in the nature of a second grade of the

Victoria Cross. This was a mistake, for the Order was really instituted

as a second grade to the Bath. Experience in our numberless small wars

had shown that many junior officers performed distinguished service, but

being ineligible for the Bath got nothing. The new Order was to be

granted to officers irrespective of rank for “meritorious and

distinguished service in war.”

From the very beginning, in the Burmah War of 1886-87, a very wide

interpretation of these words was used, and though the D.S.O. was given

for deeds of gallantry and devotion in action it was also given to those

who had done meritorious service far far away from the sound of guns.

With this precedent the Order ran downhill at a great pace till it got

to be known as the “Doing Something-or-Other Order.” All sorts and

conditions of people got it, sometimes with but the faintest glimmer of

merit or distinction. The Great War has, however, to a great extent

improved the status of the Order, and if only the present high standard

is maintained it will undoubtedly rise to the position it was originally

intended to occupy.

The decoration is in the form of an eight-pointed gold cross the wings

of which are covered with white enamel. In the centre is the Imperial

Crown in gold on a red enamel background round which is a wreath of

green enamel laurels. The ribbon is crimson with narrow borders of blue.

If an officer gets a clasp to his D.S.O. a small silver rose is placed

on the ribbon when worn in undress uniform and an additional rose is

added for each subsequent clasp. The decoration is open to officers of

all ranks both in the Army and the Navy.

A decoration which came into being during the Great War is that of

Companions of Honour. This decoration, like the Order of Merit, is

bestowed on those who for various reasons are averse to receiving any

reward from the Sovereign which carries a title.

The Military Cross and its naval equivalent, the Distinguished Service

Cross, were products of the Great War. In former wars we had engaged a

few tens of thousands of fighting men, but in the Great War we had seven

million soldiers and sailors engaged all over the world.[25] In the

great battles that took place during four and a half years of this

gigantic conflict thousands of officers distinguished themselves, yet

all could not be given the Victoria Cross or the Distinguished Service

Order. A third decoration for gallantry thus became imperative. The

Military Cross for the Army and the Distinguished Service Cross for the

Navy were the outcome of this demand, and all officers and warrant

officers are eligible for them; they are both of silver, but differ

somewhat in design. The ribbons are somewhat similar, but in the case of

the Military Cross the centre stripe is purple and the two outside ones

white; whilst with the Distinguished Service Cross, the white stripe is

in the middle and the two outer ones are purple. When an officer or

warrant officer earns one or more clasps, a small silver rose is placed

on the ribbon for each clasp.

During the Great War the gallantry and achievements of the Air Force

called imperatively for special recognition. This was met by instituting

two decorations open only to the Air Force. These are the Distinguished

Flying Cross, for bestowal upon officers in the Royal Air Force for acts

of gallantry when flying in active operations against the enemy; and the

Air Force Cross, for bestowal on officers of the Royal Air Force for

acts of courage or devotion to duty when flying, although not in active

operations, against the enemy.

We now come to those decorations which are reserved for warrant and

non-commissioned officers and the rank and file, and for which no

officer as such is eligible. Naturally any soldier or sailor who had won

one of these decorations when in the ranks or the lower deck would carry

it on with him and wear it on all occasions if he subsequently received

a commission. The first of these is for the Army, the Distinguished

Conduct Medal, familiar to all as the D.C.M.; and for the Navy the

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, generally known as the C.G.M. The second

pair under the category are the Military Medal for the soldiers, and the

Distinguished Service Medal for the sailors. These are known as the M.M.

and D.S.M.

All these four medals are round silver insignia of the familiar size and

shape of a war medal. On one side they have the King’s head and

shoulders, in a Field-Marshal’s uniform, for the Army, and in that of an

Admiral of the Fleet for the Navy. On the other side is the designation

of the medal. Should a soldier or a sailor be granted one of these

medals a second time the fact would be marked by the addition of a

silver clasp.

The ribbons of these decorations are: For the D.C.M. red and blue. The

D.S.M. (Naval) has blue and white. The ribbon for the Military Medal is

red white and blue, and that of the C.G.M. (Naval) blue and white.

It will be noticed that since 1856 the number of British Orders and

decorations has very greatly increased. At that date there were only the

Garter, the Thistle, St. Patrick, the Bath, and the Michael and George,

and only the last two of these was open to ordinary persons. Now there

are upwards of twenty Orders and decorations open to those who do good

and valiant service for the Empire in peace and war. As is only natural,

opinions are divided on the subject. Several millions of His Majesty’s

subjects who have not received one of these insignia of honour decry the

whole system, and say it is debasing to wear decorations for doing one’s

duty. Several millions more hope, given the opportunity, to earn one of

them; whilst the few thousands who have received them feel, in a greater

or less degree, a certain warm sense of gratification in that their King

and country have discovered what fine fellows they are.

The increase in the number of Orders and decorations is mainly due to

the great extension of the Empire, the wars both great and small that

have been waged during the past seventy years, and the impossibility of

rewarding the greatly increased numbers of those whom the King

delighteth to honour with practically only one Order open for a

restricted distribution, the Order of the Bath. After so great a war as

the Great War, wherein many millions of men of British blood were

engaged, naturally all the now existing Orders are full to overflowing

with members and supernumerary members, but as the river runs low after

the heavy rains are over, so will the flow of honours decrease to the

small stream which in peace time can alone keep up their value.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

APPENDIX A

KEEPERS OF THE JEWEL HOUSE[26]

Abbot and Monks of Westminster, 1042-66, in the reign of Edward the

Confessor.

First official Keeper of the Regalia, 1216, in the reign of Henry III.

Bishop of Carlisle, 1230, in the reign of Henry III.

John de Flete, 1337, in the reign of Edward III.

Robert de Mildenhall, 1347, in the reign of Edward III.

Thomas Chitterne, 1418, in the reign of Henry VI.

“The two Cary’s,” both Privy Councillors.

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, 1531-34, in the reign of Henry VIII.

John Williams, Lord Williams, 1539-44, in the reign of Henry VIII.

Richard Wilbraham of Woodhey, Cheshire, 1547 (?) to 1553, in the reign

of Edward VI.

Marquis of Winchester, 1553, in the reign of Edward VI. Handed over the

Crown Jewels to Lady Jane Grey.

John Astley, 1558-95, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

Sir Henry Mildmay, 1622(?)-1660, in the reigns of James I, Charles I,

and interregnum.

Sir Gilbert Talbot, 1661-91, in the reign of Charles II, James II, and

William and Mary.

Sir Francis Lawley, 1691-97, in the reign of William and Mary.

Heneage Mountague, 1697-98, in the reign of William and Mary.

Charles Godfrey, 1698-1716, in the reigns of William and Mary, Queen

Anne, and George I.

Hon. James Brudenell, 1716-30, in the reigns of George I and George II.

Charles Townshend, Lord Lynn, 1730-39, in the reign of George II.

William Neville, Lord Abergavenny, 1739-45, in the reign of George II.

John Campbell, Lord Glenorchie, 1745-56, in the reign of George II.

Sir Richard Lyttleton, 1756-63, in the reigns of George II and George

III.

Henry Vane, Earl of Darlington, 1763-82, in the reign of George III.

_In 1782 the Office was suppressed and its duties transferred to the

Lord Chamberlain (Stat. 22, Geo. III, c. 82). The Office was again

revived early in the nineteenth century. At the Coronation of George

IV, Thomas Baucutt Mash acted as “Officer of the Jewel House.”_

Lieut.-Colonel Charles Wyndham (late Scots Greys), 1852-72, in the reign

of Queen Victoria.

Colonel John Cox Gawler (late 73rd Foot), 1872-82, in the reign of Queen

Victoria.

Lieut.-General George Dean-Pitt, C.B., 1882-83, in the reign of Queen

Victoria.

Captain Arthur John Loftus (late 10th Hussars) 1883-91, in the reign of

Queen Victoria.

Lieut.-General Sir Michael Biddulph, G.C.B., 1891-96, in the reign of

Queen Victoria.

Lieut.-General Sir Frederick Middleton, K.C.M.G., C.B., 1896-98, in the

reign of Queen Victoria.

General Sir Hugh Gough, V.C., G.C.B., 1898-1909, in the reigns of Queen

Victoria and Edward VII.

General Sir Robert Low, G.C.B., 1909-11, in the reign of Edward VII.

General Sir Arthur Wynne, G.C.B., 1911-17, in the reign of George V.

Major-General Sir George Younghusband, K.C.M.G., K.C.I.E., C.B., 1917

(present holder), in the reign of George V.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

APPENDIX B

A letter written by Queen Anne Boleyn, when a prisoner in the Tower in

the early part of May, 1536, to Henry VIII asking for mercy. This letter

was apparently intercepted by Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, and never

reached the King. After Essex in his turn had been executed, some years

later, Queen Anne Boleyn’s letter was found in his portfolio amongst

other papers.

From Queen Anne Boleyn to Henry VIII:

“SIR,—Your Grace’s displeasure and my imprisonment are things so

strange unto me as what to write or what to excuse I am altogether

ignorant.

“Whereas you send unto me (willing me to confess a truth, and so to

obtain your favour) by such an one whom you know to be mine antient

professed enemy. I no sooner conceived this message by him than I

rightly conceived your meaning: and if, as you say, confessing a

truth indeed may procure my safety, I shall with all willingness and

duty perform your command.

“But let not your Grace ever imagine that your poor wife will ever

be brought to acknowledge a fault where not so much as a thought

thereof proceeded. And to speak a truth, never prince had a wife

more loyal in all duty and in all true affection, than you have ever

found in Anne Boleyn; with which name and place I could willingly

have contented myself, if God and your Grace’s pleasure had been so

pleased. Neither did I at any time so far forget myself in my

exaltation or received queenship, but that I always looked for such

an alteration as now I find: for the ground of my preferment being

on no surer foundation than your Grace’s fancy, the least

alteration, I knew, was fit and sufficient to draw that fancy to

some other subject. You have chosen me from low estate to be your

queen and companion, far beyond my desert or desire. If then you

found me worthy of such honour, good your Grace, let not any light

fancy or bad counsel of mine enemies, withdraw your princely favour

from me; neither let that stain, that unworthy stain, of a disloyal

heart towards your good Grace, ever cast so foul a blot on your most

dutiful wife and the infant princess your daughter.

“Try me good King, but let me have a lawful trial; and let not my

sworn enemies sit as my accusers and my judges; yea, let me receive

an open trial, for my truth shall fear no open shame. Then shall you

see either my innocency cleared, your suspicions and conscience

satisfied, the ignominy and slander of the world stopped, or my

guilt lawfully declared; so that whatsoever God or you may determine

of me, as your Grace may be freed from an open censure; and mine

offence being so openly proved, your Grace is at liberty, both

before God and man, not only to execute your worthy punishment on

me, as an unlawful wife, but to follow your affection already

settled on that party for whose sake I am now as I am, whose name I

could some good while since have pointed unto; your Grace not being

ignorant of my suspicion therein.

“But if you have already determined of me; and that not only my

death, but an infamous slander, must bring you the joying of your

desired happiness; then I desire of God that He will pardon your

great sin therein, and likewise mine enemies, the instruments

thereof; and that He will not call you to a straight account for

your unprincely and cruel usage of me, at His general judgment seat,

where both you and myself must shortly appear; and in whose judgment

I doubt not, whatever the world may think of me, mine innocence

shall be openly known and sufficiently cleared.

“My last and only request shall be, that myself may only bear the

burden of your Grace’s displeasure, and that it may not touch the

innocent souls of those poor gentlemen, who, as I understand, are

likewise in straight imprisonment for my sake. If ever I have found

favour in your sight, if ever the name of Anne Boleyn hath been

pleasing in your ears, then let me obtain this request; and I will

so leave to trouble your Grace any further; with mine earnest

prayers to the Trinity to have your Grace in His good keeping, and

to direct you in all your actions. From my doleful prison in the

Tower, this 6th of May. Your most loyal and ever faithful wife.

“ANNE BOLEYN.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

APPENDIX C

Complete list of the Regalia in the Jewel House in A.D. 1920.

I. _Crowns and Diadem_—

1. King Edward the Confessor’s Crown.

2. The Imperial State Crown.

3. The Imperial Indian Crown.

4. Crown of Queen Mary of Modena.

5. Crown of Queen Mary, Consort of King George V.

6. Diadem of Queen Mary of Modena.

7. Crown of the Prince of Wales (as eldest son of the King).

II. _Sceptres and Rods_—

1. The King’s Royal Sceptre.

2. The King’s Sceptre with the Dove, or Rod of Equity.

3. The Queen’s Sceptre with the Cross.

4. The Queen’s Sceptre with the Ivory Dove.

5. James I’s Sceptre with the Dove.

6. St. Edward’s Staff

III. _Orbs_—

1. The King’s Orb.

2. The Queen’s Orb.

IV. _Rings_—

1. The King’s Coronation Ring.

2. The Queen’s Coronation Ring.

3. Queen Victoria’s Coronation Ring.

V. _Swords_—

1. The King’s Jewelled State Sword.

2. The Sword of State.

3. The Sword Spiritual.

4. The Sword Temporal.

VI. _Spurs and Bracelets_—

1. St. George’s Gold Spurs.

2. Gold Bracelets.

VII. _Maces_—

1. Charles II.

2. Do.

4. Do.

5. William and Mary.

6. Do.

7. Do.

8. George I.

VIII. _Ecclesiastical Plate_—

1. The Ampulla, or Golden Eagle.

2. The Anointing Spoon.

3. The Royal Baptismal Font of Charles II.

4. Alms Dish of William and Mary.

5. Chalice Do.

IX. _State Trumpets and Banners_—

1. Fifteen Silver State Trumpets.

2. Twenty Bannerets.

X. _Royal Gold Plate_—

1. Queen Elizabeth’s Salt Cellar.

2. King Charles II’s Salt Cellar (State Cellar).

3. Do.

4. Do.

5. Do.

6. Do.

7. Do.

8. Do.

9. Do.

10. Do.

11. Do.

12. Do.

13. Do.

14. King Charles II’s Wine Fountain.

15. Twelve Salt Spoons.

16. Two Tankards (George IV).

XI. _Other Plate and Valuables_—

1. The Maundy Dish of Charles II.

2. King James II’s Monde.

3. Model of Koh-i-Nur Diamond with original setting.

4. Model of Cullinan Diamond as found.

5. Steel hammer and chisel, used in cutting the Cullinan Diamond.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

APPENDIX D

“OF THE JEWELL HOUSE”

Copy of MSS. written or dictated by Sir Gilbert Talbot, Kt., appointed

Keeper of the Jewel House, A.D. 1660-61, by Charles II. The original is

in the possession of Mrs. Ethel M. Lowndes, The Bury, Chesham, Bucks.

Of the Jewell

House

With the ancient

rights

belonging

to the Maister &

Treasurer

thereof.

The Maister of y^e Jewell H. holdeth his place by Patent, for life under

the Broad Seale of England to enjoy all the perquisites and privileges

w^ch any of his predecessors at any time enjoyed which are as follows:

[Illustration: FACSIMILE OF A PAGE FROM SIR GILBERT TALBOT’S MSS., 1680]

1. A Fee of 50£ per. an. out of the Exchequer.

2. A Table of 14 double dishes per diem.

3. 300£ per. an. out of y^e New years guift money.

4. The carrying of Presents to Embassadours.

5. The small presents at New yeare’s Tide.

6. Anciently Treasurers of y^e Chamber w^ch office was a branch of

y^e Jewell H.

7. Frequently Privy Counsaillers as Cromwell & y^e two Caryes.

8. Right to buy, keep & present all his Ma^tys Jewells (when given).

9. Choice of his under Officers.

10. Choice of the King’s and Queene’s Goldsmiths & Jewellers.

11. 20£ in gold, upon signing of the Goldsmiths Bill.

12. Lodgings in all y^e King’s Houses.

13. A close waggon (when y^e Court removeth) for his owne goodes; and

two carts for his officers.

14. Precedence in Courts & Kingdome.

15. Priviledg of the drawing roome.

16. Robes at the Coronation.

17. In Procession place before all the Judges.

18. He putteth on, and taketh off the King’s Crowne.

19. He keepeth all the Regalia.

20. He hath lodgings etc. in y^e Tower.

21. A servant there to keep y^e Regalia.

22. He hath noe superior officer.

23. He fournisheth plate to Embassad^rs and all the greate officers.

24. He remandeth it when Embassad^rs returne; & officers remove or

dye.

25. He provideth a Garter & plaine George for Kn^ts of y^e Garter.

26. The total of his Retrenchm^ts w^ch will serve to justify y^e

following preambe from vanity.

_Note._—The above rights and perquisites were handed over by Sir H.

Mildmay to Sir Gilbert Talbot in A.D. 1660.

_Note._—These were the rights, privileges and emoluments of his

predecessors, and Sir Gilbert Talbot goes on to relate how they had

been curtailed and withdrawn.

S^r Gilbert Talbot entered into the service of K. Charles y^e j^st at

Venice an: 1637, and served his Ma^ty XI yeares first as Resident

at 40^s. p. diem till the yeare 44, then as Envoye at 5£ per diem;

besides extraordinairies in both qualityes.

But by reason of the war, his Ma^ty was not able to send him any

supply in soe much that he was forced to spend of his owne, and

borrow of y^e English and Dutch merchants to the value of 13000£

which his then Ma^ty promised to repay with y^e interest w^ch

hath since trebled y^e principall.

But y^e war still growing more obstinate and S^r G. Talbot not able to

continue the expence begged leave of his Ma^ty to returne into

England to represent his condition w^ch was graunted him for 6

moneths; in Aug^st 44, he found the K^g at Bucannon and followed

his Ma^ty in the Army; till in 45 he was sent back to Venice, upon

an extraordinary occasion; with leave to returne when he should

think fitt, because his Ma^ty was not yet able to maintain him

abroad.

At his returne into England, in 46 his Ma^ty was pleased (a little

before he went to the Scottish Army thus to recommend him to the

Prince (now K^g).)

Son here is a gentleman who hath served me faythfully many yeares; and I

have never bin able, hitherto, to doe anything for him. I therefore

charge you to take notice of him & to see him well rewarded if I

should not live to doe it myself.

The K^g going away to the Scotts; the Prince into y^e West, and Oxford

surrendered S^r G. Talbot had his liberty upon those Articles. But

the Pr: being forced to fly: the K^g sold into the hands of the

English: and afterwards barbarously murdered; Sir G. Talbot offered

to goe over to y^e p^resent King in Paris; but was commanded to

stay in London to corrispond with S^r Rob^t Long then Secretary, and

to act for his Ma^tyes service on this side of y^e water. For

w^ch being afterwards discovered by Tom Cooke, he was made close

prisoner in Glocester; and there examined by Comis^srs upon 6

articles of high Treason (as they were pleased to terme them). But

they having noe proofes to make good any one article ag^st him he

had his liberty upon bayle; went over into France to his Ma^ty and

followed him in all his exile, till his restauration.

When every man (upon the prospect of his Ma^tys recall) was putting in

for employment. S^r G. T.; by the assistance of the D. of Ormond,

obtained the graunt of Maister of the Jewell-house forfeited by the

treason of S^r Hen: Mildmay and the reversion graunted by the Martyr

King to S^r Rob^t Howard (brother of the old E. of Berkshire)

vacated by his death.

Upon his Ma^tys returne S^r G. Talbot sent to S^r Hen: Mildmay (at the

time prisoner in Dover Castle) to lett him understand that the K^g

had bestowed the Jewell-house upon him; and to know if he would

peaceably surrender his Patent? he returned answere That he could

not give in the patent because it lay buryed amongst many confused

papers But he was ready before a Maist^r of Chancery to make a

formall resignation of the place which he accordingly performed

And promised moreover that if S^r G. T. would obteine from his Ma^ty a

pardon of his life he would give him half his estate. Whereunto S^r

G. T. reply’d that since he had soe freely resigned his office, he

would endeavour to serve him, without any other condition: but

desired him to send him a note of all the perquisites belonging to

the place, w^ch he did and they are those w^ch are specifyed in

y^e j^st page and shall hereafter be enlarged upon as they lye in

order.

S^r G. Talbot’s patent being passed (not w^thout strong opposition

from the L^d Chancell^r Hyde, who had shewed himself his enemy upon

other occasions; and had designed the Jewell-house for a

Presbyterian friend) he took possession of his lodgings; and entered

upon the execution of his office.

When the Chancell^r found that he could not obstruct the patent, his

next endeavour was to clip the profitts of the place, and therein

his malice prevailed as will appeare when y^e perquisites are

treated of.

* * * * *

The perquisites belonging to y^e M^r are as follows:

1. A Fee of 50£ per an payable half yearely out of the Exchequer: which

y^e Maist^r used to call for but once in two yeares, that he might

receive i00£ together: but when S^r George Downing became Secretary,

to the L^ds Commiss^rs of the Treasury, he (because there is a

small fee due to the Secretary for drawing up the order to the

Exchequer) enioned[27] all fees to take out separate orders for

every half yeare: w^ch exacting invention is still kept on foote:

although the fee for every order is exorbitant.

2. A Table of 14 double dishes per diem with bread beer wine etc., or

35^s. per diem board wages, if not served in kind. But y^e L^d

Chanc^r who sought all occasions to preiudice the Maist^r of the

Jewell H. put the K^g upon retrenchm^t of some of the tables: and

went in person to the Greenecloth (although altogether unqualifyed

as being noe Officer there) and cutt off the Maist^rs table, and

y^e Groome-porters, for company, that it might not look like

personall malice; in lieu whereof they allowed each of them i20£ p.

an: board wages: and for this they pleaded noe other ground, or

shadow of reason, but because it appeared in theyre books, that once

when the treasury was exhausted S^r H. Mildmay proposed to the K^g

the retrenchment of the tables & desired his Ma^ty to begin with

his. This the L^d Chancell^rs Law, & S^r H. Woods philosophy made

an argument to cutt off the dyet from the Jewell H.

And although S^r G. Talbot’s patent gave him all the rights that any of

his Predecessors at any time enioyed, there was noe releife to be

had in theyre Chancery.

S^r G. Talbot this theyre proceeding to his Ma^ty, but the Chancellor

yet swayed all things absolutely; and there lay noe appeale from

him.

For one yeare after they allowed him his dyet, at the greate Festivalls

(Christmass, Easter, and Whitsontide): but that was thought too much

and retrenched likewise.

3. 300£ p. an: out of the money presented by the Nobility, to the King,

at new-yeare’s-tyde; which usually amounted to 3000£. And the

profitt ariss to the Maister by 12^d in the £, and the advantage of

the gold; for it was ever given away and payd in silver, till Mr.

May came to the privy Purse, who gott it annexed to his office: by

w^ch meanes that branch was cutt off from y^e Maist^r of the

Jewell H. because the K^g was neither to pay poundage, nor allowance

for gold, and y^e Maist^r had noe consideration for it, till upon

the tender of severall petitions, his Ma^ty in an. 77 gave him, by

Privy Seale 400£ p. an: out of the new-yeare’s-guift money, during

pleasure.

4. The Maist^r of the Jewell H. received the value of 300£ p. an.

(communibg annis) by carrying presents to Embassadours, till the

j^st D. of Buckingham (who was an enemy to S^r H. Mildmay)

prevailed w^th the K^g first, to make all his presents in iewells

(and not in plate as had ever, till then, bin accustomed) and next

to send them by the Maister of y^e Ceremonyes (an office erected but

in K^g James his time).

Thus S^r H. Mildmay (by his professed ignorance in iewells, had the

buying of the iewells taken from the place, & usurped into the hands

of the L^d Chamberlan and the presenting of them, by his provocation

of the D. of Buck: transferred to the M^r of y^e Ceremonyes. Nay,

and the keeping of all the private Jewells, is now in the hands of

the page of his Ma^tys closet: although the L^d Chamberlaine in

what he buyeth, nor the sayd page in what he keepeth, hath any check

upon him to controll the account of the one, or the guardianship of

y^e other, whereas the account of the Jewell H. is under the

inspection of the L^d Treasurer, or a body of Comiss^rs when the K

pleaseth to appoint them.

Thus while S^r G. Talbot is Maister and Treasurer of his Ma^tyes

iewells & plate, he is made a stranger to all but y^e Regalia, which

alone is in his keeping.

v. The Maist^r of the iewell H. hath 28 ounces of gilt plate every new

year: and the small presents w^ch are sent to y^e K^g anciently

valued at 30 or 40£ together with the purses wherein the Lords

present theyre gold (w^ch were wont to be worth 30 or 40^s each.

These the L^d Manchester (when L^d Chamberlaine) claimed as due to

him: but S^r G. Talbot proved them to be his right: yet told his L^p

that if he liked any of them he should have them, as a guift, not as

a due.

The E. of St. Alban, who succeeded him, revived y^e same pretence, but

was opposed by the Maist^r and desisted. Yet usually the Maist^r

gives the L^d Chamberl: 5 or 6 at the Cupboard, as he doth to other

Officers & freinds y^t ask.

The profitt of allowance upon the ounces (issued out by guift from his

Ma^ty) S^r G. T. gave (for his time) to his under Officers: and

the carrying of presents to Resid^ts & Agents when made in plate,

chaines or medals.

vi. Anciently the M^r of y^e iewell H. was Treasurer of the Chamber,

till that branch was taken over, and made an office apart: and is

now five times more beneficiall than the iewell house: all the

regulation of expence being applyed to the remaining parts of the

perquisites of the iewell house; the fees of y^e treasur^r of the

Chamber and M^r of y^e ceremonyes being left entire.

vii. The Maisters of the iewell H. have bin frequently privy

Counsaillers, such was Cromwell[28] in y^e time of H. 8. And

appointed L^d Deputyes of Irel^d as the two Caryes.

viii. It belonged to the M^r of y^e iewell house to buy, keep, & present

all y^e iewells and plate that belonged to his Ma^ty but now that

right is invaded, see number 4.

ix. The Maister hath the choice of all his inferior Officers; and y^e

power of suspending or displacing them upon their misbehaviours.

When he first took possession of his Office, he called to one of his

Yeomen for the books which were in y^e keeping of old Layton, who

then attended in his moneth; the peevish old man who had lived long

in y^e office refused to deliver them whereupon Sir G. Talbot shewed

him the words of his patent; but he remained obstinate and insolent

& S^r Gilbert suspended him for waiting and acquainted his Ma^ty

with it who very well approved of what he had done: but y^e

passionate old man for very vexation of spirit dyed. His sonne had

the impudence to claime his father’s place; and upon refusall to

threaten an appeale to the K^g wherewith S^r G. Talbot acquainted

his Ma^ty who sayd, if he came, he should receive an answere.

After this Serg^t Painter (without any application to S^r Gilbert) went

boldly to the K^g and begged the reversion: and his Ma^ty

graciously graunted it. Painter thus armed came to S^r Gilb^t and

demanded to be admitted. S^r Gilbert asked whence he derived his

claime? he sayd: the K^g given it to him.

S^r Gilbert reply’d, he would receive y^e K^gs pleasure from himself;

and going to his Ma^ty asked him, if he had appointed Painter to

succeed Layton: he sayd, yes. S^r, sayd S^r Gilb^t it belongeth to

me, to choose my owne Officers, because y^e trust of all y^e

Ma^tys plate is by me committed to them. Well, sayd y^e K. for

this time let it pass, and I will invade y^e right noe more. S^r

Gilbert desired to know if his Ma^ty would be security for all y^e

plate intrusted in his hands? Noe indeed will I not said the K^g and

if that be requisite I recommend him not. S^r sayd S^r Gilbert this

expostulation is onely to show my right; and y^e danger of admitting

any without security: but since y^r Ma^ty hath made choice of him,

he shall stand, and accordingly he admitted him.

x. The appointment of y^e Goldsmiths and Jewellers both to the K^g and

Queene valued at 800£ each: (as the yeomens & Groomes places are

when vacant).

When his Ma^ty[29] came first into England Coronell Blage (a groome of

y^e bedchamb^r) begged the nomination of the Goldsmith & contracted

w^th alderman Backwell for 800£ but the alderman, when he

understood y^t it was the Maist^rs right, quitted his bargaine &

M^r Blage deserted his pretension.

xi. The Maister used to receive 20£ in gold from the goldsmith upon y^e

signing of his annuall bill: (and this was transmitted in the list

of perquisites from S^r H. Mildmay to S^r G. Talbot; yet would he

never require the same, least it might look like a bribe to y^e

Maist^r to cast a favourable eye over the account).

xii. He hath right to lodgings for himself, officers & servants in all

y^e K^gs houses. Those in Whitehall were, when the K. came in,

rude, dark & intermixed with the Queene’s servants.

The present dining roome was a kind of wild barne, without any covering

beside rafters and tiles. The Maisters lodgings were two ill

chambers, above stayres, and the passage to them dark at noone day;

his dining room was below. Sir G. T. being desirous to improve his

lodgings proposed to his Ma^ty an exchange betwixt that wilde

roome, and his dining-roome. The K. commanded the L^d Chamberl: to

view, and report w^ch he accordingly did: and told his Ma^ty

that S^r G^s proposall was fayre; and much to the advantage of the

Queen’s servants, whereupon leave was given him to build; and when

he had finished S^r E^d Wood came & claimed his former lodging as

being y^e Q^s serv^t.

S^r Gilb^t told him he was y^e K^gs servant, and had built by his

authority: and therefore presumed he had good title to y^t

apartment, and that the lower roome was his, if he pleased to like

it, he replyed had he would try his power; and went with a complaint

ag^st S^r G^t to y^e K^g who made him answere that if he would not

of the ground roome, he should have none. The angry K^t finding the

power of which he had boasted fayle him, sayd; he would then have

none. The K^g took him short at his word. And S^r Will^m Throgmorton

y^e K^t Mareschall being by, begged y^e chamber, and enjoyed it for

a yeare. But y^e nature of his place drawing greate concourse of

people thether, S^r G. thought it unsafe for y^e plate, represented

y^e danger to his Ma^ty who thereupon caused the K^t Mareschall to

be warned out. And least the chamber might draw ill company againe

he begged it for his Officers, who have enjoyed it ever since.

xiii. Vpon all removalls of y^e houshold the Maister of the Jewell H.

had ever a close waggon allowed him: for the transport of his

servants and goods: and his officers had a waggon, and a cart for

the plate.

xiv. The M^r of y^e Jewell H. was ever esteemed the j^st K^nt

Bachelour of England and took place accordingly.

He hath precedence of y^e establishm^t of the household, before the

Maist^r of y^e greate Wardrobe: and before y^e Judges in all publeck

processions being ever next to the privy Counsaillers.

xv. They had the privilege to goe into the drawing roome to the privy

chamber where none beside themselves, under the degree of Baron,

were permitted to come, when y^e gallery was kept private.

xvi. At the Coronation they weare scarlet robes almost like y^e Barons

robes, and dine at the Baron’s table in Westminster Hall.

xvii. At the opening or concluding of a session of Parliament and at the

passing of bills, when the K. appeareth in his robes the M^r of the

Jewell H. putteth the Crowne upon his Ma^tyes head and taketh it

off. And if he be absent or indisposed he deputeth a person of

quality to doe it. And y^e Maister alone hath right to kneele at the

steps below the K^g’s feete (and y^e black Rod at y^e corner of

the woolsack) although of late all y^e officers of the privy chamber

and Presence (& by theyre example strang^rs who have noe relation

to the Court) take up theyre places there, and possess it all before

the Maist^r (who attendeth upon y^e Crowne) can come.

xviii. He keepeth all y^e Regalia (& the plate that is not used by the

family) in the Tower and to that end had always convenient lodging

for himself officers and servants therein.

In the new lodgings given in lieu of y^e old (because it was pretended

y^t y^e chimneys might endanger the Magazin of powder which is

lodged in the White Tower) there is not any appartement for the

Maister upon complaint thereof made by S^r G. T. to the K. the

matter was by his Ma^ty referred to y^e consideration of y^e

Ordinance board, how he might have his accommodation, and y^e

officers of the board made Order that there should be two new

chambers built for him upon the left hand of the open stayres by the

present Jewell house, which are of absolute necessity to his

Ma^tyes service, because in case insurrection in the nation or

tumult in the city it is fitt the Maist^r should have his

convenience to watch over so considerable a charge.

xix. He hath a particular servant in the tower intrusted with y^e greate

treasure to whom (because Sir G. T. was retrenched in all the

perquisites and profitts of his place as is above specified) and not

able to allow him a competent salary, his Ma^ty doth tacitely

allow that he shall shew the Regalia to strangers, which furnisheth

him with soe plentifull a livelyhood, that Sir G. T. upon the death

of his servant there, had an offer made him of 500 old broad pieces

of gold for the place.

Yet he first gave it freely to old Mr. Edwards (who had bin his father’s

servant) whom Blud murdered, when he attempted to steale the crowne,

globe & scepter (as shall be related at large hereafter).

After the death of the father he continued it to his sonne; and after

his death he gave it to Maj^r Beckenham who maryed a daughter of old

Edwards upon condition that he should maintaine old M^rs Edwards

and y^e children which he hath well performed.

xx. The Maister of the Jewell H. hath noe superiour Officer in Court

over him. He receiveth noe command but from y^e K^g himself w^ch

is usually transmitted to him by warrant signed by the L^d

Chamberlaine or other Secretary of State signifying the K^g’s

pleasure.

And many times he received it by word of mouth from his Ma^ty unless

in case of greate importance wherein he usually desireth to have a

warrant to be enterd for his iustification and indemnity.

Yet sometimes the L^d Treasurer or particular commiss appointed for that

end inspect the state of the Jewell H. as they did an. 1673 and ’79.

xxi. The Maister of y^e Jewell house fournisheth all the greate Officers

of the household with plate; and all Embassad^rs that are sent

abroad they giving indentures to restore the same, when called upon

by him, and upon restauration he giveth back the indentures.

xxii. It is incumbent upon y^e Maist^r to call upon all Embass^rs for

theyre plate at theyre returne home; and upon the Executors of all

greate officers who dye w^th plate in theyre possession: and to

sue in y^e Excheq^r any that are indebted to y^e Jewell house which

debt cannot be privately compounded for by the Maist^r, but must be

satisfyed by award of Court: or cancelled by y^e K^g’s pardon

signified by privy Seale.

xxiii. If a knight of y^e Garter dye the Maister must send to his heyre

or execut^r for his Collar, George & Garter w^ch his Ma^ty gave

him at his installation:

and likewise to all serjeants for theyre Maces which are fournished

out of the Jewell H.

xxiv. All the retrenchments of the perquisites belonging by Patent to

S^r G. T. amount to 1300£ per an: which in 20 years since his

Ma^ty came into England arise to 26000£.

Besides 13000£ original debt for his xi yeares service under the last

K^g at Venice. Soe that if he had his right, there would be due to

him 39000£ beside 26 or 27 yeares interest for the last sume of

1300£ expended in the Venetian service.

S^r G. Talbot Maister & Treasurer of the Jewell house.

May y^e 20^th an: dom: 1680.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

INDEX

Abbot Wenlock, imprisonment of, 14

Agincourt, 146, 147, 148

Air Force, the, 216, 217

Air raids on London, 26-29

Alexandre de Pershore, monk who stole Crown Jewels, 14

Alfred, King, crown of, 13

Ammonites, crown of King of the, 12

Ampulla, or Golden Eagle, 71-74, 82, 101, 106

Anne, Queen, 40, 197

Anne Boleyn, 113, 114, 115, 116

Ghost of, in Martin Tower, 21

Letter from, 224-227

Anointing Spoon, the, 73, 82, 106

Anointing the King, ancient origin of, 82

Armilla, or Stole, 84, 101

Armoury, the, 19, 22

Aurungzabe, Emperor, treasury of, 167

“Auspicium Melioris,” motto of Order of St. Michael, 206

Battle of Agincourt, 146-147

Battle of Najera, 145

Beckham, Captain, 184, 186

Biddulph, Lieut.-Gen. Sir Michael, Keeper of the Jewel House, 125,

223

Bishop Fisher, 115

Bishop of Carlisle, 111

Black Prince, 143, 144, 145, 146

Black Prince’s Ruby, 37, 38, 93, 105, 144-151, 182, 183

Blood, Colonel. See Colonel Blood

Bloody Tower, 20, 21, 22, 24, 180, 184

Boleyn, Anne. See Anne Boleyn

Boleyn, George, Viscount Rochefort, 17, 21

“Bolleyn,” inscribed on wall in Martin Tower, 17

Bombs, dropped near Tower, 26-28

Boscobel. See Oak of Boscobel

Bracelets, ancient insignia of Royalty, 55

British Empire, expansion of, 189

Broad Seal of England, 131

Brudenell, Hon. James, Keeper of the Jewel House, 123, 222

Bulwark Gate, 185

Burglars viewing the Crown Jewels, 25

Burmah War of 1886-1887, 215

Byward Tower, 185

Cage in Jewel House, 21

Campbell, John, Lord Glenorchie, Keeper of the Jewel House, 123, 222

Cap of Maintenance, 36, 38, 39

Cardinal York, 57

Catherine the Great, 165

Cavalieri, 205

Chapel of the Pix, 13

Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula, 78, 176

Charles I, 16, 62, 72, 118, 119, 120, 134, 160, 171, 234

Charles II, 17, 24, 37, 43, 48, 50, 54, 55, 57, 63, 65, 68, 69, 72,

73, 75, 76, 77, 93, 94, 95, 104, 107, 118, 119, 121, 132, 135,

160, 161, 174, 177, 188, 189, 232

Charles the Bold of Burgundy, 166

Chitterne, Thomas, Keeper of the Jewel House, 111, 221

Chubb, Messrs., the mechanical safeguards of, 25

Colonel Blood, 19, 25, 103, 104, 105, 122, 174-190

Commonwealth, 13, 17, 35, 36, 47, 48, 53, 62, 74, 83

Commonwealth, tragedy of, 91-108

Companions of Honour, decoration, 215

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, 217

Coronation, ceremony of the, described, 80-90

Coronation ceremony of Queen Consort, 89-90

Coronation Chair, 87

Coronation of King George IV, Sir George Naylor’s book, referred to,

140

Coronation Proclamation, 67

Coronation Ring, 55-57, 85

Coronation Ring of Edward the Confessor, 38

Coronation Service, extract from, 87

Coster, Messrs., and the Cullinan diamond, 59, 163

Crime of Colonel Blood. See Colonel Blood

Crimean War, 211

Cromwell, 171

Cromwell, Thomas. See Thomas Cromwell

Cross of St. George, 56

Crown of Alfred the Great, 94-98

Crown of Queen Edith, 94, 98

Crowns of England. See Royal Crowns of England

Crown, ancient mark of sovereignty, 11, 12

King of the Ammonites’, 12

King Alfred’s, 13, 94

Queen Mary of Modena’s, 39, 42

Queen Mary’s, 41

Prince of Wales’, 42

Crown Jewels. See Regalia, the

Crown Jewels of England, The, alluded to, 97, fn. 7

Crown Jewels of England, The, quotations from, 97-100

Crown Jewels and the European War, 172

Cullinan diamond. See Star of Africa

Cullinan, Mr. T. M., 162

“Curtana,” or the Sword of Mercy, 54

Daffodil of Wales, 43

David, King, 12, 55

Demidoff, Prince, 167

Distinguished Conduct Medal, 217

Distinguished Flying Cross, 217

Distinguished Service Cross, 216

Distinguished Service Medal, 217

Distinguished Service Order, 214-215

“Doing Something-or-other Order,” 215

Don Pedro, King of Castille, 144, 145

Duc d’Alençon, 147

Duc d’Orleans, Regent of France, 168

Duchess of Brunswick. See Princess Augusta

Duke of Wellington, Constable of the Tower, 124

Earl of Essex. See Thomas Cromwell

East India Company, 155, 156

Ecclesiastical Plate. See Plate, Ecclesiastical

Eden, Hon. Emily, 155

Edward I, 14

Edward III, 111, 144, 192

Edward VII, 19, 25, 35, 43, 86, 107, 125, 161, 162, 163, 172, 199,

209

Edward the Confessor, 13, 36, 57, 110, 159, 160

Crown of, 228

Sapphire of, 159

Edward the Confessor’s Staff and Coronation Ring, 13

Edwards, Talbot. See Talbot Edwards

Egbert, King, 12, 13

Elizabeth, Queen, 16, 103, 167, 170, 171, 173

Emperor of Russia, the late, 195

English monarchy, oldest in Europe, 13

English Royal Family, length of pedigree of, 13

Enthronement. See Inthronisation

Exchequer, penurious, of Charles II, 177

Exeter, 103. See also Plate, Royal

Field-Marshal Earl Haig, 197

Fisher, Bishop, 115, 116

Flete, John de, Keeper of the Jewel House, 111, 221

“For God and Empire,” motto of Order of the British Empire, 210

“For Merit,” motto of Order of Merit, 199-200

“For Valour,” motto on Victoria Cross, 213

Fouché, 31

Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales, 76

French Crown Jewels, 168

Garrard, Messrs., Court Jewellers, 39, 41, 43, 87, 137, 150

Garter, composition of the, 195

Gawler, Colonel John Cox, Keeper of the Jewel House, 125, 223

Gentlemen of the Blood, meaning of the phrase, 193

George I, 68, 123

George II, 123

George III, 57, 76, 123, 161

George IV, 52, 76, 161

George V, 13, 37, 38, 81, 107, 172, 210

German Emperor, the, 26, 194

German lady, interesting story of, and Crown Jewels, 25

Ghost, Earl of Northumberland’s, story of, 19, 20

Story of Queen Anne Boleyn’s, 21

Godfrey, Charles, Keeper of the Jewel House, 123, 222

Golconda, King of, 151

Gold maces, 68, 69

Gough, General Sir Hugh, Keeper of the Jewel House, 125, 223

Great Gems, romance of the. See Romance of the Great Gems

Great Moghul diamond, the, 167

Great Mogul, the, 151

Great Tragedy, the, 91-108

Great War, the, 13, 26, 33, 67, 172, 210, 212, 213, 215, 216, 219

Haig, Field-Marshal Earl, 197

Hampton Court, 113

Henrietta Maria, widow of Charles I, 167

Henry III, 14, 110

Henry V, 146, 149

Henry VII, 148

Henry VIII, 54, 95, 112, 114, 116, 117, 120, 224

Henry IV of France, 166, 167

Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, 18, 20

Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, father of above, 20

Heriot the Astronomer, 18

“Honi soit qui mal y pense,” motto of the Order of the Garter, 192,

195

Hope diamond, the, 168

“Hotspur.” See Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland

House of Commons, 68, 92, 93

House of Lords, 42, 80, 92

Hyde, Lord Chancellor, 132, 237

“Imperatricis Auspicus,” motto of Order of Indian Empire, 208

Imperial Crown of India, 35, 38-39, 228

Imperial Mantle or Pall of Cloth of Gold, 84

Imperial State Crown, 35, 228

Imperial War Museum, 27

Income taken from visitors to Jewel House, 90

Inthronisation, the, 88

Iron Gate, 185, 186

James I, 16, 118, 171

James II, 40, 57, 68, 73, 104, 105, 106, 141, 160, 167

Jewel House, the, 11-33 et seq.

Jewelled State Sword, 51-53, 84, 229

Katherine, widow of Henry V, 148

Katherine of Aragon, 114, 115

Keeper of the Jewel House—

Appointment of the first by Henry III, 14

Christmas box of, 129

Office suppressed in 1782, 124

Office duties of, transferred to Lord Chamberlain, 124

Office lays dormant for years, 124

Office revived by Queen Victoria, 124

Perquisites of, 127-135

Robes worn by, 139

Salaries of, 127-134

Sergeant Painter seeks post of, 135, 136

Sir Gilbert Talbot’s account of the ancient rights and privileges

of office, 131-132

Tips of, 130

Keepers of the Jewel House, List of, Appendix A, 221-223

Khojeh, Raphael, 165

King Harold, 94

King’s Coronation Ring, presented by William IV to Princess

Victoria, 56, 229

King’s Orb, 47, 48, 49, 229

King’s Royal Sceptre, 43

King’s Sceptre with the Dove, 44, 45, 87

King’s State Crown, 36, 37, 38, 50, 57

Knight Commander, 203, 204

Knights of the Bath, 201, 202, 203

Knights of the Garter, 194, 195, 196, 198

Koh-i-Nur diamond, the, 41, 151-159, 168

Model of, 58-59, 231

Lady Jane Grey, 117

Lawley, Sir Francis, Keeper of the Jewel House, 122, 222

Lawrence, Sir John, and the Koh-i-Nur diamond, 156-157

Lieutenants’ Lodgings, 21

List of the Regalia. See Regalia, complete list of the

Long, Sir Robert, 236

Lyttleton, Sir Richard, Keeper of the Jewel House, 123, 222

Loftus, Captain Arthur John, Keeper of the Jewel House, 125, 223

Lord Auckland, 155

Lord Chamberlain, duties of, 124

Lord Gough, 155

Lord Manchester, 134

Lord Roberts, 213

Louis XIV, 167

Lowndes, Mrs., 131 n., 232

Low, General Sir Robert, Keeper of the Jewel House, 125, 126, 223

Lucknow, 26

Mace-bearers, 69

Maces, 229

Macheson, Major, 157

Maharajah Punjeet Singh, the Lion of the Punjab, 155

Maharajah of Patiala, 167

Mahomed Shah, 152, 153, 154

Martin Tower, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 33, 175, 176, 180, 183

Mary of Modena, 39, 40, 42, 45, 46, 105, 106

Mary, Queen, 41, 107

Master of King’s Wardrobe, 110

Maundy Dish, 74, 76, 107, 231

Maundy Money, 75, 107

Maundy Thursday, 75, 107

Merry England, 175

Mezeray, 72

Middle Tower, 16, 17, 185.

See also Martin Tower

Middleton, Lieut.-Gen. Sir Frederick, Keeper of the Jewel House,

125, 223

Mildenhall, Robert de, Keeper of the Jewel House, 111, 221

Mildmay, Sir Henry, Keeper of the Jewel House, 118-121, 131, 134,

222, 234, 236, 238, 240, 244

Military Cross, 216

Military Medal, 217

Mint, bombs on, 173

Mitcham, archæological discovery at, 96

Modern invention, a, 114

More, Sir Thomas, 115, 116

Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael, 205-206

Mountague, Heneage, Keeper of the Jewel House, 122-123, 222

Mountain of Light. See Koh-i-Nur diamond

Nadir Shah, King of Persia, 152, 153

Napoleon, 203

“Nemo me impure lacessit,” motto of Order of the Thistle, 197

Neville, William, Lord Abergavenny, Keeper of the Jewel House, 123,

222

Nicholas I, Emperor of Russia, 166

Northumberland’s walk, 19.

See also Ghost, Earl of Northumberland’s

Oak of Boscobel, 38

Old Pretender, the, 161

Orb, the, ancient Christian emblem, 47, 81

Its use in Coronation ceremony, 84

Orbs, description of, 47, 48

Order of the Bath, 200-201

Order of the British Empire, 210

Orders of Chivalry, 191-219

Order of the Crown of India, 210-211

Order of the Garter, 56, 191-194

Order of the Golden Fleece, 201

Order of the Indian Empire, 206, 207, 210

Order of Merit, 199

Order of St. Patrick, 198-199

Order of the Star of India, 207

Order of the Thistle, 196, 197-198

Orloff diamond, the story of the, 165

Owen Tudor, husband of Katherine Henry V’s widow, 149

Pall of Cloth of Gold. See Imperial Mantle

Parrett, confederate of Col. Blood, 150, 183, 187

Patiala, Maharajah of, 167

Paulet, William, 116-118

Pearl of Portugal, deterioration of, 169-170

Pearls, description of, 169-170

Pitt, Mr., Governor of Madras, owner of Regent diamond, 168

Plate, Ecclesiastical—

Ampulla or Golden Eagle, 71, 230

Anointing Spoon, the, 73-74, 230

Flagons, 77, 78

Gold alms dish, 77, 78

Gold baptismal font, 76, 230

Maundy Dish, 74, 75, 76

William and Mary’s alms dish, 74, 230

Charles II’s font, 77

Plate, Royal—

Exeter’s and Plymouth’s contribution to the, 63, 103

King Charles’ wine fountain, 230

Queen Elizabeth’s gold salt-cellar, 62, 66

Renewal of, by Charles II, 17

St. George’s Salts, 65-66

State salt-cellar, 63-65, 230

Twelve golden salt-spoons, 66, 230

Two golden tankards, 67, 230

Plymouth, 103, 104.

See also Plate, Royal

Polar Star diamond, Russian, 166

Political agitation in India, 208

Postern Row, 29

Premier Mine, South Africa, 164

Prince of Wales’ Coronet, 42

Prince of Wales’ Crown, 42, 228

Princess Augusta, 76

Princess Victoria, 85

Punjab, the, 155, 156

Puritan, description of a, 93

Queen Consorts, ceremony of the Coronation of, 89

Queen Elizabeth’s gold salt-cellar, 103

Queen Elizabeth’s pearl ear-rings, 37, 38, 170, 171, 172

Queen Mary’s Crown, description of the, 41-48

Queen Mary of Modena. See Mary of Modena

Queen Victoria and the story of the Coronation Ring, 56, 86

Queen Victoria’s baptismal font, 76

Queen’s Coronation Ring, 229

Queen’s Ivory Rod, description of, 46

Queen’s Orb, 47, 48, 49, 229

Queen’s Sceptre with the Cross, description of, 45, 46

Queen’s Sceptre with the Dove, description of, 46

“Quis separabit?” motto of Order of St. Patrick, 198, 199

Raleigh, Sir Walter. See Sir Walter Raleigh

Regalia, the—

Abbot and Monks of Westminster first guardians of, 13

Abbot Wenlock’s imprisonment for stealing, 14

Alexandre de Pershore steals Crown Jewels, 14

Ampulla, or Golden Eagle, 72, 73

Anointing spoon, 73

Baptismal font of Charles II, 76, 77

Bargaining with Crown Jewels, 93

Black Prince’s Ruby, story of the, 144-151

Bogus jewel, a, 57-58

Bracelets, 55

Cage constructed to contain, 19

Cap of Maintenance, 36, 38, 39

Catalogue of Coronation robes destroyed, 101

Chapel of the Pix, Westminster Abbey, first Treasure House, 13

Chubb, Messrs., construct mechanical safeguards for safety of, 25

Colonel Blood and Crown Jewels, story of, 174-190

Colonel Blood’s attempt to steal Jewels draws attention to its

insecurity, 19

Commonwealth and, 91-108

Complete list of Regalia, Appendix C, 228-231

Crown, Sceptre, and Orb re-made in Charles I’s reign, 17

Coronation rings, 55

Coronation ring bequeathed to George III by Cardinal York, 57

Coronation ring of Edward the Confessor, 57

Coronation robes, 101

Crown jewels destroyed by order of Cromwell’s Parliament, 92

Crown of Alfred the Great, melting down of, 94

Cullinan diamond, model of, 59

Cullinan diamond, story of the, 161-165

Damage to, by Colonel Blood, 104, 105

Ecclesiastical Plate, 71-79

Edward the Confessor’s Sapphire, story of, 159-160

Exeter presents Charles II with State salt-cellar, 63

Fire imperils the, 22

Flagons, the, 77

Gold maces, description and uses of, 68

Gold tankards, 67

Golden alms dish, 78

Golden Eagle. See Ampulla

Golden Spurs, 54;

sale of, 96

Great Tragedy, the, 91-108

Great Gems, romance of the, 143-173

Ingenious stories re Crown Jewels during Great War, 30-32

Inventory of portions of Regalia broken up and sold by order of

Parliament, 97, 99

Jewelled State Sword, 52, 53

Keepers of Regalia, Appendix A, 221-223

King’s Sceptre, great value of, 44

Koh-i-Nur, model of, 58-59

Koh-i-Nur, story of the, 151-159

Lodged in White Tower, 15

Martin Tower, Treasure House, 17

Maundy Dish, 74-76

Mitcham, excavation at, 96

“Mountain of Light, the,” 59

Official Keeper first appointed, 14

Orbs, the, 47-49

Plate, public offers to supplement destroyed emblems, 103-108

Plymouth presents Charles II with wine fountain, 63

Queen’s Sceptre with the Dove, 46

Queen’s Orb originated by Mary of Orange, 48

Queen Elizabeth’s gold salt-cellar, 62, 66

Queen Elizabeth’s gold ear-rings, stories of the, 167-173

Renewal of Plate in Charles I’s reign, 17

Renewal of destroyed emblems, 101-103

Richard de Podelicote buys Crown Jewels, 14

Royal Plate, 61-70

Royal emblems taken to Westminster Abbey at Coronations, 80

Royal Crowns, 34-43

St. George’s Salts, 65, 66

St. George’s Spurs. See Golden Spurs

Sale of portions of the, 93, 95, 96

Sceptres, the, 43-47

Silver trumpets, 67

Star of Africa, 37, 41, 43, 44, 59, 161-165

Story of Coronation Ring and Queen Victoria, 85-88

Story of St. George’s Salts, 65

Strong cage constructed to contain, 19

Stuart Sapphire, 160-161

Sword of State, the, 53

Swords Spiritual, Temporal, and of Mercy, 54

Talbot Edwards sole guardian of, 18

Transferred to Tower, 14

Twelve gold salt-spoons, 66

Wakefield Tower present abode of, 22

Regalia, complete list of the, 228-231

Regent, or Pitt diamond, 168

Relief of Chitral, 125

Restoration, 62, 63, 74

Richard III, 148

Richard of Gloucester, 24

Rod of Justice and Equity. See Sceptres

Romance of the Great Gems, 143-173

Rose of England, 43, 51

Royal Assent, the, 68

Royal Bounty, ancient custom of distributing, 75

Royal Crowns of England, 35, 81, 228

Royal Mint, bomb dropped on, 28

Royal Plate. See Plate, Royal

Royal Victorian Order, 209

Ruby, Black Prince’s. See Black Prince’s Ruby

St. Edward’s Chair, 88

St. Edward’s Crown, 35, 87, 101, 105

St. Edward’s Staff, 47, 101, 105, 106

St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, 195

St. George’s Salts, 65-66, 104

St. George’s Spurs, 54, 96, 106, 229

St. John’s Chapel, White Tower, 15, 24, 202

St. John the Evangelist, legend of, and the Coronation Ring of

Edward the Confessor, 159

St. Patrick’s Jewels, theft of, 19, 25

St. Paul’s, 175

St. Peter ad Vincula, 70

St. Thomas’ Tower, 29

Salts of State. See Plate, Royal

Samuel, the prophet, 12

Sanci diamond, the story of, 166

Saul, King, 12, 55

Sceptres—

James I’s Sceptre with the Dove, 228

King’s Royal Sceptre with the Cross, 43

King’s Sceptre with the Dove, 44, 45, 87, 228

Queen’s Ivory Rod, 46

Queen’s Sceptre with the Cross, 45, 81, 228

Queen’s Sceptre with the Dove, 46, 81, 228

Rod of Justice and Equity, 47

St. Edward’s Staff, 47, 228

“Scotland for Ever,” painting by Lady Butler, 125

Sergeant Painter, 135, 243

Sergeant, story of a courageous, 22

Sergeants-at-arms, 62, 68, 69, 89

Shah diamond, the, 165, 166

Shah of Persia, 168

Shamrock of Ireland, 51

Sherlock Holmes, 31

Silver trumpets, used at Coronations, etc., 67

Sinn Feiners, 198

Sir Edward Walker quoted, 101-102

Sir Gilbert Talbot’s MSS., 121-122, Appendix D, 232-249.

See also, Talbot, Sir Gilbert

Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, 167

Sir Robert Brackenbury, Constable of the Tower, 24

Sir Thomas More. See More, Thomas

Sir Robert Vyner, Court Jeweller, 48, 54, 55, 72, 100, 106, 182

Sir Walter Raleigh, never imprisoned in White Tower, 15 and fn. 1

Solomon, throne of, 12

Somerset, the Lord Protector, 117

South African War, 212

Sporley, 94

Star of Africa, 37, 41, 43, 44, 59, 161-165

Stars of South Africa, 164-165

Story relating to St. George’s Salts, 65

Strange appointment, a, 116

Stuart sapphire, 37, 160-161

Sword of Justice, 96

Sword of Mercy, 96.

See also “Curtana”

Sword of State, 53, 82, 229

Sword Spiritual, 54, 96, 229

Sword Temporal, 54, 96, 229

Talbot Edwards, Assistant Keeper of the Jewel House, 18, 175-184,

248

Talbot, Sir Gilbert, Keeper of the Jewel House—

And James II, 106

Appeal to Charles on behalf of Talbot Edwards, 177

Grievances and complaints of, 131-134

His MSS., Appendix D, 232-249

His suspicions of the sentry, 185

In impoverished circumstances, 121

Made Master and Treasurer of the Jewel House by James, 122

Neglect of duty, 104

Our debt to, 130

Petitions Charles II, 132

Preamble of, 131-132

Resided chiefly at Whitehall, 18

Talent, equivalent 12

Tavernier, French traveller, 151

Thistle of Scotland, 51

Thomas à Beckett, 111

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, 112, 113, 114, 115, 194, 130, 224

Three Reproaches, the, 193

Tower from Within, The, referred to, 202 n.

Tower of London—

Air raids and, 26-29

Anne Boleyn’s imprisonment in, 17

Armoury, the, 19, 22

Bloody Tower, 20, 21, 22, 24, 180, 184

Bombs dropped near, 26-29

Builder of, 159

Bulwark Gate, 185

Byward Tower, 185

Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula, 176

Colonel Blood’s crime, 174-190

Crown Jewels placed in Martin Tower by Charles II, 17

Doubt about name of Martin in Martin Tower, 16, 17

Executions at, 105, 116

German air-raids and the, 26

German lady’s visit to, during Great War, 25-26

Ghosts in, 20, 21

Henry Percy murdered in, 20

Henry VI murdered in, 23, 24

Heriot’s imprisonment in, 18

Hotspur’s imprisonment in, 18, 20

Iron Gate, 185, 186

Jewel Houses of, 15, 16

Lieutenants’ Lodgings, 21

Martin Tower, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 33, 175, 176, 180

Middle Tower, 16, 17, 185

Murder of Princes in, 24

Northumberland’s Walk, 19

Once the residence of monarchs, 23

Queen Elizabeth’s imprisonment in, 23

Special Jewel House built in 1597, 16

Sir Robert Brackenbury, Constable of Tower, 24

St. John’s Chapel, 15

St. Thomas’ Tower, 29

Sir Walter Raleigh’s confinement in, 15

Thomas Cromwell escorts Anne Boleyn to, 115

Traitors’ Gate, 22

Visits to see Crown Jewels, 90

Viscount Rocheford’s imprisonment in, 17

Wakefield Tower, 22, 23, 24, 33

White Tower, 15, 24, 33, 63, 80

Townshend, Charles, Lord Lynn, Keeper of the Jewel House, 123, 222

Tragedy, the Great. See Great Tragedy

Traitor’s Gate, 22

Treasure House of the King, 12

Tsar of Russia, the late, 165

Two young Princes, murder and burial of by Richard, 24

Union of South Africa, 161, 162, 164

Vane, Henry, Earl of Darlington, Keeper of the Jewel House, 123, 222

Victoria, Queen, 56, 67, 76, 77, 85, 104, 124, 125, 157, 158, 161,

171, 205, 206, 209, 211, 214

Victoria Cross, 211-214

Victoria Cross Warrant, quoted, 212

Vyner, Sir Robert. See Sir Robert Vyner

Wakefield, William de, 23

Wakefield Tower, 22, 23, 24, 33

Westminster Abbey, 13, 14, 33, 81, 110, 159

Whitehall, 18, 244

White Tower, 15, 24, 33, 63, 180

St. John’s Chapel in, 15, 24, 202

William and Mary, 48, 68, 74, 76, 78, 106, 107

William de Wakefield. See Wakefield Tower

William III, 48

William IV, 56, 85, 161

William the Conqueror, 159, 172, 173

Windsor Castle, 32, 33, 76

Wolsey, Cardinal, 112, 113

Wyndham, Lieut.-Col. Charles, Keeper of the Jewel House, 124, 223

Wynne, Sir Arthur, Keeper of the Jewel House, 31, 126, 223

Younghusband, family of, 18 n.

See also Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland

Younghusband, Major-Gen. Sir George, 126, 223

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Footnotes

-----

Footnote 1:

It is very clear from all historical records that Sir Walter Raleigh

was never imprisoned in the White Tower, so that a misguiding notice

in the crypt might well be removed.

Footnote 2:

This Henry Percy, “Hotspur,” appears as an early ancestor in the

genealogy of the Younghusband family.

Footnote 3:

See Chapter XI.

Footnote 4:

See Chapter X.

Footnote 5:

See p. 151.

Footnote 6:

See p. 162.

Footnote 7:

_The Crown Jewels of England_, by Younghusband and Davenport, p. 34.

Footnote 8:

See p. 96.

Footnote 9:

From the Coronation Service.

Footnote 10:

_The Crown Jewels of England_, by Major-General Sir George

Younghusband and Cyril Davenport.

Footnote 11:

A stole made of cloth of gold.

Footnote 12:

See p. 73.

Footnote 13:

_The Crown Jewels of England_, by Younghusband and Davenport.

Footnote 14:

See p. 74.

Footnote 15:

See p. 78.

Footnote 16:

See Appendix B.

Footnote 17:

Now spelt Glenorchy.

Footnote 18:

See Appendix A for list of Keepers from 1042-1920.

Footnote 19:

From the MS. written in 1680, in possession of Mrs. Lowndes. See

Appendix D.

Footnote 20:

See p. 183.

Footnote 21:

Afterwards Lord Lawrence and Viceroy of India.

Footnote 22:

See _The Tower from Within_, Chapter VIII.

Footnote 23:

Victoria Cross Warrant, 1856.

Footnote 24:

These have been lately considerably increased.

Footnote 25:

Eighteen million medals are in course of being struck.

Footnote 26:

Named at various periods, Master and Treasurer of the Jewel House,

Keeper of the Regalia, Keeper of the Crown Jewels, and as now Keeper

of the Jewel House.

Footnote 27:

Enjoined.

Footnote 28:

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, temp. Henry VIII.

Footnote 29:

King Charles II.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

● Transcriber’s Notes:

○ Footnotes have been gathered together and appear after the

Index.

○ An entry for the Footnotes has been added to the Table of

Contents.

○ The abbreviation of a tilde (~) over the letter “m” was

replaced by “mm” on pages 239, 244 and 248.

○ Page 238 - “he might i00£ together” was changed to “he might

receive i00£ together”.

○ Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected.

○ Typographical errors were silently corrected.

○ Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only

when a predominant form was found in this book.

○ Text that was in italics is enclosed by underscores

(_italics_).

○ Words quoted from old texts often contain abbreviations where a

caret (^) is followed by one or more superscript characters.

For example, “K^g” instead of “King”.