------Second Speaker ------Crowns, Regalia and Royal Jewellery A Talk by Nicholas Humphrey-Smith Reported by Alan Lee icholas is the head of Ancestors of replicas are plated and coloured crystals NDover' who successfully manufacture, used - not solid precious metal and market and supply historic merchandise. precious gems like diamonds. They currently supply approximately 95% of the The Crown Jewels are castles, museums and zoos in owned by the state and not the UK. Over recent years the monarch and for over they have increased sales in 900 years have been housed Europe, America and even to in the Tbwer of London. The the State Museum in one exception was during Moscow. A large number of WWII when they were films have made use of their removed to a secret location full size replica crowns and for safe keeping. regalia including The Madness of King George, The The regalia refers to objects Hustle, Johnny English - Imperial State Crown that are used in a coronation with Rowan Atkinson and ceremony. The use of regalia Young Victoria starring Emily Brunt. In the can be traced back to Edward the Confessor theatre world one of the most notable who became king in 1042 and was crowned productions was Shakespeare's Henry V by in 1043. His great seal shows him seated on the National Theatre Company. a throne wearing a crown, in one hand holding a sceptre surmounted with a cross On 9th September 2015 Her Majesty and in the other an orb. On the reverse in Queen Elizabeth II will become our longest one hand he is holding a sceptre serving monarch. Eleven years ago, sitting surmounted with a dove and in the other a for an official portrait she wore a replica sword. It is believed that he also wore a crown which was a lot lighter than the real ring. With only slight alterations these are one. still used to this day. The spurs used in the ceremony are thought to have been Ancestors of Dover holds the only licence introduced in the 12th century. From about to reproduce full size copies of the crown 1250 there appears to have been two sets, jewels. Part of the agreement included a St. Edward's regalia, only used at clause that no one was allowed to wear the coronation ceremonies and the royal exact replica of the Imperial State Crown or regalia, part used in coronations and also the Edward Crown. on other state occasions.

During his talk Nicholas passed many In 1216 King John is said to have lost the replicas round the audience to let them crown in quicksand and Edward III touch and inspect them at close quarters. pawned the regalia to pay his troops the All are made to an exactingly high money he owed them. In 1649 after the standard. The only difference is that the end of the Civil War Oliver Cromwell 11

ordered the regalia to be "totally broken", One of the most important items of the the precious stones to be sold and the gold regalia is the magnificent jewelled Sword of and silver sent to the “Mint" to be melted State or Offering, made for the coronation down and turned into coins. The clergy at of King George IV. The gold scabbard is Westminster managed to save the ampulla covered in leather set with precious stones. (a golden eagle some 8 inches high that These include 1,200 diamonds in the form holds the holy oil), the anointing spoon, of national plants from England, Ireland the Elizabethan salt cellar and some of the and Scotland. Wales is not represented as it historic gems from the crowns. is a principality and not a kingdom.

At the cost of £12,185 replacement regalia In 1910 the Sovereign's Sceptre was altered was made for the coronation of Charles II to allow the addition of the 530 carat in 1661. Since then there have been Cullinan diamond - the largest top quality numerous additions to it. cut diamond in the world. Uncut it weighed about 1.5 pounds. It produced 9 Up to the early part of the 20th century it major gems (Cullinan 1 to 9), 6 stones, 96 was usual to set the regalia and crowns smaller brilliants and 10 carats of with gems that were hired for the occasion. unpolished pieces. After the ceremony the crowns were dismantled and the gems returned leaving The only time the Crown Jewels left the just the frames. Tbwer of London was during the Second World War when they were moved to a Whilst seated in King Edward's chair, made secret location for safe keeping. in 1300, the sovereign receives the orb and sceptre then has the crown placed on This well presented and interesting talk his/her head by the Archbishop of was enhanced by the large number of Canterbury. After the ceremony the replicas that Nick passed round the crowns are usually dismantled leaving just audience. Many thanks to Nick and his the frames. company Ancestors of Dover for supplying these items.

Cullinan Diamonds I to IX Twelve Piece Coronation Crown Set