Free to follow every thread. No paywall, no dead ends.
St Edward's Crown: the story on HearLore | HearLore
St Edward's Crown
In 1649, the original St Edward's Crown ceased to exist, melted down into coinage by a Parliament determined to erase the monarchy's physical symbols. This was not a simple loss of an object but the destruction of a holy relic believed to have been worn by Alfred the Great, the legendary king who unified England. For centuries, historians and monarchs clung to the myth that this crown had survived from the 9th century, passed down through Edward the Confessor to every English king. The truth was far more mundane and tragic. Parliament ordered the crown to be broken and melted, and while some jewels were saved, the gold base was sold off to fund the Commonwealth. The inventory taken by Henry Marten and George Wither described the crown as 'King Alfred's Crown of gold wire-work set with slight stones and two little bells,' a description that would haunt the imagination of future generations. The crown's disappearance marked the end of an era where regalia were treated as sacred objects, replacing them with the cold reality of political power and financial necessity. The destruction of the crown was a deliberate act of iconoclasm, stripping the monarchy of its divine legitimacy and reducing it to a mere political entity. The loss of the crown was so profound that it took over a century for a new one to be created, and even then, it was a Baroque interpretation of the medieval original, not a direct continuation. The story of the crown's destruction is a testament to the power of belief and the fragility of history, where a single decision can erase centuries of tradition.
The Myth of Alfred
The belief that St Edward's Crown was the actual crown of Alfred the Great was a powerful myth that persisted for centuries, despite lacking historical evidence. The story began with the 13th-century historian Robert of Gloucester, who claimed that Alfred had been crowned by Pope Leo IV during his visit to Rome in 853. This narrative was perpetuated by later historians like John Spelman, who wrote that an inscription on the crown's box read, 'This is the chief crown of the two, with which were crowned Kings Alfred, Edward and others.' The myth was so compelling that it became accepted as fact, even though Alfred was only fourth in line to the throne in 853 and a letter from Pope Leo revealed that he was confirmed as a Roman consul, not crowned as king. The myth served a political purpose, providing a divine lineage for the monarchy and reinforcing the legitimacy of English kings. The crown's association with Alfred was a way to connect the present monarchy to the legendary past, creating a sense of continuity and divine right. The myth was so deeply ingrained that it influenced the design and symbolism of the crown, with its arches and crosses pattée evoking the imperial style of Byzantine emperors. The story of Alfred's crown was a powerful tool for legitimizing the monarchy, but it was ultimately a fabrication, a myth that had no basis in historical fact. The myth's persistence highlights the power of storytelling in shaping historical memory and the enduring appeal of legendary origins.
When was the original St Edward's Crown destroyed?
The original St Edward's Crown was destroyed in 1649 when Parliament ordered it to be melted down into coinage. This act of iconoclasm erased the monarchy's physical symbols and ended the era where regalia were treated as sacred objects.
Who was the first monarch to wear the mythic St Edward's Crown according to historical claims?
Historical claims state that Alfred the Great was the first monarch to wear the crown, though this belief lacks historical evidence. The 13th-century historian Robert of Gloucester claimed Alfred was crowned by Pope Leo IV during his visit to Rome in 853.
What is the weight of the current St Edward's Crown used in coronations?
The current St Edward's Crown weighs 2.23 kilograms and stands 30 centimeters tall. This weight was a significant factor in its replacement by lighter crowns for most coronations since 1689.
Who crafted the new St Edward's Crown created for the restoration of the monarchy?
Sir Robert Vyner crafted the new St Edward's Crown for the coronation of Charles II in 1660. The new crown featured a heavy gold base and clusters of semi-precious stones with distinctly Baroque arches.
When were the 444 gemstones permanently set into the St Edward's Crown?
The 444 precious and fine gemstones were permanently set into the St Edward's Crown in 1911 for the coronation of George V. These stones include 345 rose-cut aquamarines, 37 white topazes, and 27 tourmalines.
Which monarchs have been crowned with the St Edward's Crown since its revival in 1911?
The St Edward's Crown was used to crown George V in 1911, George VI in 1937, Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, and Charles III in 2023. The crown was modified to fit George V, reducing its weight from 2.54 kilograms to 2.23 kilograms.
The St Edward's Crown is a heavy burden, weighing 2.23 kilograms and standing 30 centimeters tall, a physical manifestation of the weight of the crown. The crown's weight has been a source of controversy and practical difficulty for monarchs, leading to its replacement by lighter crowns for most coronations since 1689. The crown's weight was a significant factor in its abandonment after the coronation of William III, with monarchs choosing to wear lighter state crowns instead. The crown's weight was a practical issue, but it also symbolized the burden of kingship, the physical and spiritual weight of ruling a nation. The crown's weight was a constant reminder of the responsibility of the monarch, a burden that could not be easily borne. The crown's weight was a source of practical difficulty, but it also added to its symbolic power, making it a fitting symbol of the monarchy's authority. The crown's weight was a factor in its replacement, but it also made it a unique and powerful symbol of the monarchy's authority. The crown's weight was a constant reminder of the responsibility of the monarch, a burden that could not be easily borne. The crown's weight was a source of practical difficulty, but it also added to its symbolic power, making it a fitting symbol of the monarchy's authority.
The Restoration of the Crown
The restoration of the monarchy in 1660 brought about the creation of a new St Edward's Crown, crafted by Sir Robert Vyner for the coronation of Charles II. The new crown was designed to resemble the medieval original, with a heavy gold base and clusters of semi-precious stones, but its arches were distinctly Baroque, reflecting the artistic style of the time. The new crown was a symbol of the monarchy's return, a physical manifestation of the restoration of the king's authority. The crown's design was a blend of the old and the new, a symbol of continuity and change. The crown's creation was a significant event, marking the end of the Interregnum and the return of the monarchy. The crown's design was a reflection of the political and cultural climate of the time, a symbol of the monarchy's return to power. The crown's creation was a significant event, marking the end of the Interregnum and the return of the monarchy. The crown's design was a blend of the old and the new, a symbol of continuity and change.
The Jewels of the Crown
The St Edward's Crown is adorned with 444 precious and fine gemstones, including 345 rose-cut aquamarines, 37 white topazes, 27 tourmalines, 12 rubies, 7 amethysts, 6 sapphires, 2 jargoons, 1 garnet, 1 spinel, 1 carbuncle, and 1 peridot. The jewels were not permanently set in the crown until 1911, when they were added to the crown for the coronation of George V. The jewels were a significant part of the crown's value and symbolism, representing the wealth and power of the monarchy. The jewels were a source of practical difficulty, but they also added to the crown's symbolic power, making it a fitting symbol of the monarchy's authority. The jewels were a constant reminder of the responsibility of the monarch, a burden that could not be easily borne. The jewels were a source of practical difficulty, but they also added to the crown's symbolic power, making it a fitting symbol of the monarchy's authority.
The Modern Revival
The St Edward's Crown was revived for use in the coronation of George V in 1911, ending over 200 years of its absence from the coronation ceremony. The crown was modified to fit George V, with its band made smaller and its overall weight reduced from 2.54 kilograms to 2.23 kilograms. The crown was used to crown his successor George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, before being used again for the coronation of Charles III in 2023. The crown's revival was a significant event, marking the return of the monarchy's traditional regalia to the coronation ceremony. The crown's revival was a symbol of the monarchy's return to power, a physical manifestation of the restoration of the king's authority. The crown's design was a blend of the old and the new, a symbol of continuity and change. The crown's creation was a significant event, marking the end of the Interregnum and the return of the monarchy. The crown's design was a reflection of the political and cultural climate of the time, a symbol of the monarchy's return to power.