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The Tudors and the Stuarts: Henry

In the picture by Hans Holbein, at Hampton Court Palace, of Henry VIII. and his family, the king is represented with a jewelled dagger, a magnificent collar of twisted pearls, with ruby medallion, a dalmatica edged with pearls, a hat of black velvet adorned with pearls. On his breast is a large medallion jewel having the appearance of a watch.

Henry demanded of Francis I., King of France, the jewels of his sister Mary, who had married Louis XII., and the Duke of Suffolk was entrusted with the commission. At her marriage "a great diamond and a tablet with a great round pearl" formed part of the bridal offerings. The Earl of Worcester wrote from Paris in glowing terms of "the goodliest and richest sight of jewels that ever he saw." The uxorious disposition of King Louis, the "Father of his People," as he was called, and the marital value the attached to his precious gems, I have already alluded to (page 148). It was, however, only in this respect that he was prodigal of his jewels.