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WaxExhibits
Crown Jewels Theatre
THE CROWN JEWELS OF ENGLAND
Steeped in history and legend, and consecrated
by religious rite, the crown jewels of England are of inestimable value.
The replicas at The Royal London Wax Museum depict the regalia used only
in the coronation ceremony or a new monarch. These represent a mere portion
of the larger collection of priceless historical and cultural artifacts
and masterpieces.
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Today's coronation regalia date mostly
from the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. Charles II came to
the throne after Cromwells' eleven-year rule, when Britian had no
monarchy. The regalia used for the 1625 installation of King Charles
I and prior had either been "lost" or otherwise disposed
of after his execution.
The coronation ceremony probably dates
from the ninth-century reign of the saxon King Egret. The modern
ceremony essentially derives from King Edward the Confessor (1042-1066)
and remains fundamentally unchanged today.
Coronations always occur at London's
Westminister Abbey. The ceremony begins with the Acclamation of
the sovereign. Thereafter come the Taking of the Oath, the Anointing,
and the Delivery of the Ornaments. The Enthronement and the Holy
Communion follow.
St. Edward's Crown
Two arches of gold rise from the circlet and
cross each other, signifying sovereignty. With its framework of
gold, the crown weighs just under five pounds. It is probably one
of three crowns held in Westminister Abbey since before the Cromwells.
Its lower half may be attributed to King Edward the Confessor, with
subsequent alterations made to the arches.
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Imperial State Crown
The new sovereign wears this crown upon leaving Westminister
Abbey following the coronation, or during major state occasions. The most
intrinsically valuable crown in the world, it is the best-known pieace
of the regalia. Design for Queen Victoria's 1837 coronation, it features
more than 2,800 diamonds. The sapphire in the Maltese Cross (at the top)
allegedly comes from the ring of King Edward the Confessor. The 104-carat
Stuart sapphire is set into the rim, opposite the Black Prince's Ruby.
Beneath the ruby rests the world's second largest diamond, the 317-carat
Second Star of Africa.
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Crown of Elizabeth, The
Queen Mother
Created in 1937 for Elizabeth, Queen Consort
to King George VI, this is the only platinum crown, and it is seet
exclusively with diamonds. The principal diamond, set into the Maltese
Cross at the front, is the Koh-i-noor ("Mountain of Light")
diamond. The British East India Company presented it to Queen Victoria
in 1850. Diamond lore suggests that it would be unlacky for a man
to wear it.
Imperial Crown of India
By law, none of Britian;s state crowns may
leave British soil. Therefore, a new crown was created when King
George V became Emperor of India in 1912: a modern design with 6,170
diamonds, four sapphires, six emeralds, and four rubies.
Queen Mary's Crown
Queen Mary first wore this custom-designed
crown at the coronation of her husband, King George V in 1911.
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Prince of
Wales' Crown
This crown of unornamented medieval design
initially belonged to Prince Frederick Louis, son of George II.
It was placed before the Prince of Wales' seat in the House of Lords
whenever the monarch opened parliament. In 1901, a new crown was
made for the future King George V. A later version remains the official
investiture crown for the ceremony in Caernarvon Castle that consecrates
the heirapparent to the throne.
Small Orb
Queen Mary II received this small, polished
gold orb at her coronation with King William III (William of Orange)
in 1689. Both orbs rested on Queen Victoria's coffin in 1901. |
Coronation Ring
Originally made for King William IV in 1831, and
known as "the wedding ring of England," it features a cross
of rubies laid upon sapphires. This represents the Cross of St. George
on a blue shield - the insignia of the Order of the Garter.
Jewelled Sword of State
This sword, considered the most beautiful and valuable
in the world, was made for King George IV. It is used in coronations and
knighting ceremonies. Its blade is damask steel, while the scabbard is
a dull gold with jewels of all colours. The jeweled images include an
English rose, Scottish thistle, and Irish shamrock.
Great Sword of State
This piece symbolizes the monarch's personal sword
in the coronation ceremony. James II first used the two-handed, 17th century
design. Today, a senior retired sailor, soldier, or airman of the monarch's
choosing carries it during the opening of parliament.
Three Swords of Justice
The Sword of Temporal Justice, the Sword of Spiritual
Justice, and the Sword of Mercy, (the Curtana) are borne before the sovereign
in the coronation ceremony. The point of Temporal Justice is sharp, while
that of Spiritual Justice is blunt. The Curtana is the senior sword, and
features a symbolically broken point.
The
Royal Sceptre with the Cross
This masterpiece was created for Charles II,
and modified in 1910 to hold the largest cut diamond in the world
- the 530-carat First Star of Africa.
St. Edward's Staff
Once known as the Rod of Justice and Equity,
this processional object symbolically guides a sovereign's footsteps
towards truth and righteousness. The origianl staff was said to
contain a fragment of the True Cross.
Sceptre with the Dove
Also known as the Rod of Equity, this sceptre
features a dove's likeness atop a golden cross, symbolizing the
Holy Ghost guiding the actions of kings and queens. The sovereign
holds this sceptre through a small part of the coronation.
Order of the Garter
The motto of the oldest and highest order of
knighthood, Homi soit qui mal y pense, means, "shame on him
who evil thinks." The order originated in the mid-1300's during
the reign of Edward III, father of the great warrior, the Black
Prince.
Queen Consort's Orb Sceptre
with Dove
Slightly smaller and differing in its gem arrangements
from the Sceptre with the Dove, this article went missing for many
years. It was rediscovered and returned to the collection in 1814.
Queen Consort's Sceptre with
the Cross and Queen Consort's Ivory Rod
During the crowning of a Queen and King, the
queen receives the Sceptre with the Cross. Later, she carries the
Ivory Rod. Both were fashioned for Queen Mary of Modena, wife of
James II (1633-1701).
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Sergeant-at-arms' Mace
As a weapon of the middle ages, foot soldiers used
the mace to guard kings and nobles. Now ceremonial, the mace symbolizes
the monarchy in Parliament.
Order of the Thistle
The second order of British knighthood, primarily
for Scottish nobles, dates from 1687. Also known as the Order of St. Andrew,
it had a shaky history until Queen Anne formalized it in 1703.
Order of Bath
Revived by King George I in 1725, the Order of Bath
represents the third order of knighthood. Its name derives from a traditional
ceremonial bath symbolizing purity, and it is used to confer distinction
for military service.
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The Ampulla and the Spoon
The Ampulla takes the shape of an eagle and
dates back to Charles II. It contains the holy oil used to anoint
new monarchs. The oldest piece of the coronation regalia, the Spoon
dates back to the twelfth century. Holy oil is poured from the ampulla
into the spoon for the anointing ceremony.
St. George's Spurs
During the coronation ceremony, a sovereign
briefly wears these heelspurs to signify knighthood.
St. George's Bracelets
Fashioned for Charles II, these bracelets recognize
the influence of Scandinavian folklore, in which bracelets mark
kings and warriors. |
Commonwealth Bracelets
These were crafted as a gift from the commonwealth
of nations for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
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