Home › The Royal Orbs › The Royal Orbs: Henry

The Royal Orbs: Henry

FROM THE SECOND GREAT SEAL OF HENRY VII.

CROSS ON TALL ORNA- MENTAL STEM. FROM THE FIRST GREAT SEAL OF RICHARD I.

CROSS ON TALL ORNA- MENTAL STEM. FROM THE FIRST GREAT SEAL OF HENRY III. a CROSS AND MOUND ON TALL STEM. FROM THE SECOND GREAT SEAL OF HENRY III.

ORNAMENTAL CROSS ON TALL STEM. FROM THE GREAT SEAL OF HENRY VII. cross than was used by his above which is much larger immediate predecessors, and each of the ends of the cross are ornamented with a trefoil. Henry VII., on his second Seal (Fig. 42), entirely does away with the stem on which the cross had hitherto been placed, and the cross, itself ornamented, rests directly on the top of the orb, as does that on the orb now in the Tower which was made for Mary II. The orb which was made by Sir Robert Vyner for Charles II., and which is now in the Tower, has a large amethyst beneath the cross, which may be considered to take the place of the stem upon which, as we have seen, the cross was superimposed from the time of William I. to Henry VIII. THE KING'S ORB The orb, mound, or globe is placed in the sovereign's right hand on being crowned, and after that is carried in the left hand. It is never put into the hands of any but kings or queens regnant. The orb of England is remarkable for the fine amethyst cut in the facets, one and a half inches in height, on which the cross-patée stands. The golden ball itself is six inches in diameter, and has a fillet of gold round the centre, outlined by fine pearls and ornamented THE ROYAL ORBS with clusters of gems, set in borders of white and red enamel of similar workmanship to that upon St. Edward's crown. The centre stones of these clusters are large rubies, sapphires, and emeralds alternately, and in each case the coloured stones are surrounded by diamonds. An arch, of similar design to the fillet, crosses the upper part of the orb, and the beautiful cross above the large amethyst has in the centre on one side an emerald, and on the other a sapphire. The outlines of the cross are marked by rows of diamonds, and there are three large diamonds down the centre of each arm. The jewels in the centre of each side are also encircled by diamonds, and between the lower foot of the cross and the amethyst is a collar of small diamonds. At the end of each of the upper arms of the cross is a large pearl, and in each of the four inner corners is also a large pearl.

This orb was made by Sir Robert Vyner for Charles II. It is figured in Sir Edward Walker's account of his coronation. The large amethyst is clearly shown, but the bands encircling it are of a different and more ornate pattern from those now existing; very possibly something has been done to the orb since it was first made, but probably the extent of this alteration has been re-setting of gems and the re-making of all the enamel work. THE QUEEN'S ORB a As has been before mentioned, there was a certain degree of complication about the coronation of William and Mary, and in some instances the regalia had to be doubled. No doubt what could be altered was altered, so that many of the things which were only intended for the use of a Queen-consort actually did duty for a Queen-regnant; but one thing had to be made entirely anew, and that was an orb, so that the Queen, as well as her husband, should have the necessary emblem of independent sovereignty. But the orb which was made for her is by no means so handsome as that made for the King, nor is it quite so large. It has a fillet round the centre outlined with large pearls, and ornamented with rubies, sapphires and emeralds, alternately circular and octagonal, set in collars of gold. An arch crosses the upper half, ornamented in a similar manner, and at the top a cross, studied with rubies, sapphires and diamonds, differently arranged on each side, rests immediately on the orb.