The Crown Jewels of England

"The Crown Jewels of England" by G. J. Younghusband and Cyril Davenport is a historical account written in the early 20th century. It surveys the English coronation regalia—their ceremony, symbolism, craftsmanship, and provenance—supported by precise illustrations and archival sources, and extends to related subjects such as royal plate, vestments, the coronation chair, and renowned gems. The opening of the work frames a patriotic preface in the reign of George V after the Great War and explains the aim to document the regalia for posterity, outlining the scope, illustrations, and principal authorities consulted. It then describes the coronation rite from early medieval precedents via the Liber Regalis—anointing, vesting, crowning, and presentation of two sceptres (cross and dove), the orb as a sign of Christian sovereignty, and the sword and spurs as military emblems—highlighting notable ceremonies from Charles II to George IV and the persistence of precedent. Next comes the institutional history of the regalia: their custody at Westminster and then the Tower, the Commonwealth’s destruction with an itemized inventory and valuations, and the Restoration remaking under Sir Robert Vyner with details of the recreated pieces and vestments. The narrative traces the development of crowns through coins and seals, describes the Scottish crown and historic coronation rings, and summarizes the principal modern crowns (St Edward’s Crown for crowning, the Imperial State Crown with the Black Prince’s “ruby” and Stuart/Confessor sapphires, and the Imperial Crown of India), alongside queens’ diadems and the Prince of Wales’s crown.

The Crown Jewels of England, by G. J. Younghusband. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #78796.