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The Lesser Regalia

The Ampulla or Golden Eagle which contains the oil for the Anointing of the King-The Holy Oil and its origin-James II. paid 1200 for the Holy Oil at his Coronation-The Golden Eagle described-Its great age-The Coronation Spoon-Its antiquity-The Handle probably of Byzantine origin-The Spoon fully described-The Swords- The Sword of State described-A Military Emblem of the Sovereignty-The Two-handed Sword of Edward I.- At George III.'s Coronation the Sword of State having been forgotten the Lord Mayor's Sword was used instead- The Deputy Earl Marshal assures His Majesty that the mistake shall not occur again at the next Coronation- The Three Swords-"Curtana," the Sword of Mercy-The Sword of Justice Spiritual-The Sword of Justice Temporal-The Jewelled State Sword-The most valuable in the world-At the Coronation is offered by the King to the Church-After being placed on the Altar is redeemed for 100 shillings-Sword described-The Gold Spurs another Military Emblem-Known as St. George's Spurs-Spur Money-The Bracelets-A very ancient Emblem of Sovereignty-The Bracelets worn by Saul when King-The Bracelets described. M THE AMPULLA R. CHAFFERS, in his book on English goldsmiths, says: "The ancient ampulla, used at the coronation of English sovereigns, was, according to Mezeray, of lapis lazule, with a golden eagle at the top enriched with pearls and diamonds." There is unhappily no relic of this beautiful jewel left, nor is any indication of the size given; but the mention of a golden eagle is interesting, as it at all events shows that if we have kept nothing else we have kept the tradition.