A Brief Royal History of Britain's Crown Jewels

Peter Morrell

The Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, a collection of sacred and ceremonial objects used in coronations and other significant state events by the British monarchy, includes extraordinary crowns, scepters, orbs, swords, and jewelry as well as a variety of other regalia. Each piece in the collection is crafted from precious metals and adorned with some of the world's most valuable gemstones. More than priceless treasures, these items are symbols of the British monarchy's authority, continuity, and religious significance. They play a central role in the history and traditions of the United Kingdom, carrying a fascinating, storied history that is touted every time a member of the royal family uses one of these unique pieces.

Origins

Britain's Crown Jewels date at least as far back as the medieval period. The first documented coronation with a crown and scepter being that of King Edgar in 959, but the idea of having a set of regalia to be passed down from one monarch to the next came from his successor, Edward the Confessor, who left items including a scepter, two crowns, and a spoon in the care of the monks at Westminster Abbey. Over time, the collection grew, with new monarchs commissioning grander pieces to symbolize their power and their divine right to rule. However, much of this early regalia was lost or destroyed in 1649, when King Charles I was executed and the Parliamentarians, led by Oliver Cromwell, ordered the existing Crown Jewels to be sold or melted down and used to mint coins. This was meant to symbolize the redistribution of wealth in England.

Changes Over Time

Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the Crown Jewels were re-created for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661. Since then, the collection has been expanded and modified by succeeding monarchs. Notably, Queen Victoria and later British sovereigns incorporated valuable gemstones from across the British Empire, including the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond and the Cullinan diamonds. Additionally, new crowns and regalia have been designed to accommodate the evolving traditions and needs of the monarchy and the royal family, ensuring that the invaluable collection remains both functional and historically significant.

Current Location

Today, the Crown Jewels are housed and on display to the public in the Jewel House at the Tower of London, one of the country's most visited historical sites. Millions of visitors come each year to admire the grandeur and historical significance of these items, which are protected by multiple layers of security including armed guards.

Notable Items

Among the many remarkable pieces in the Crown Jewels, several stand out for their unique significance and exquisite craftsmanship. The centerpiece of the collection is St. Edward's Crown, which is used to crown British monarchs at their coronation. This elaborate crown weighs nearly 5 pounds and is set with more than 400 gemstones. For other ceremonial occasions, the monarch wears the Imperial State Crown, which is much lighter in weight and features a variety of famous gemstones, including the Black Prince's Ruby, St. Edward's Sapphire, and the Cullinan II diamond. The Sovereign's Sceptre With Cross holds the largest clear cut diamond in the world, the Cullinan I diamond. Also known as the Great Star of Africa, the Cullinan I weighs 530.2 carats and is one of the most highly valued gems in the collection. And the Coronation Spoon, used to hold holy oil to anoint the new monarch, is the oldest piece in the collection, dating back to the 12th century. This gold spoon is the only piece that survived from the original Crown Jewels: It was sold in 1649 to a member of the royal household, who returned it to Charles II in 1661.

Other significant pieces in the collection include the Sovereign's Ring, a gold ring set with an octagonal sapphire, rubies, and diamonds that's been worn by nearly every monarch since 1901 at their coronation; the armills, a set of gold bracelets that represent sincerity and wisdom; and the Sovereign's Orb, a gold sphere adorned with jewels that represents the world. Each of these unique pieces embodies centuries of history, tradition, and flawless craftsmanship, making the Crown Jewels one of the most cherished collections in the world.

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