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Introduction: Royalty

The Crown Jewels of England are historically and, indeed, intrinsically of a value impossible to compute. The Crown of England is older than any Crown in Europe, and is worn by a Sovereign with more ancient a lineage than any of the Royal families of the Western world. Set in the Crown and emblems of royalty are jewels which have their origin in the mists of antiquity, others which count their age only by centuries, whilst some saw the light of day within the lifetime of the present King. But great or small, ancient or new, the Crown Jewels are the hall marks of the British Empire and of British Sovereignty. In close connection with the Throne and with the Crown Jewels are matters of interest such as the Royal Plate at the Tower, the Vestments worn by His Majesty at his Coronation, and the ancient chair in which he is crowned. It has, therefore, been deemed of interest to include some reference to these as cognate subjects in the present work.

The frontispiece is a reproduction of Sir Luke Fildes' fine picture of His Majesty, which is at Windsor Castle. The full-page illustrations of the Royal Crowns, and other portions of the Regalia, are from enlarged photographs, and may be relied upon as exact representations.

The small illustrations in the text are made from drawings, and they will, it is hoped, make the subject matter clearer than it otherwise would be. This is PREFACE deemed more especially necessary for a clear understanding when dealing with the growth of the form of the Royal Crown.