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The Greater Gems in the Jewel House: Henry

We next hear of the ruby as being worn by Henry V. in his coronetted helmet at the battle of Agincourt. During this battle a personal encounter took place between Henry V. and the Duc d'Alençon, in the course of which a sword- * See p. 23. cut from the Duc hewed off a piece of the king's coronet, but the great ruby remained unhurt and came victorious with its owner out of the battle. The next great adventure of the ruby was after the execution of Charles I., when by order of Parliament all emblems of royalty were to be destroyed or sold. The "large ballas ruby, pierced and wrapt in paper," and valued at £4, was bought by some unknown person who evidently gave or sold it back at the restoration, for we find it again in the state crown of Charles II. The setting of this crown,* which was in the possession of the late Lord Amherst of Hackney, clearly shows the position and shape of the ruby, and in confirmation it was found in Parret's pocket, when he and Colonel Blood were captured in their attempt to steal this same crown.